Probiotics, and other supplementals.

[oddlyoblivious]

Wondered if anyone had any decent probiotics powders they would recommend or even better; instructions on incorporating it into diet.

[Pebbles82]

I am sure Cypher will know - or Nancy as Nancy could know about availability in the US.

[cypher]

I'm not sure which ones are available in the US, you can use just a very tiny amount of human probiotics or have a look for the ones marketed for birds, the dosage is usually a bit closer to what a ham would need than those sold for larger animals.
If it's in powder form I usually just put a tiny pinch on some fresh veg, or any wet food so it sticks! They generally seem to enjoy it so no problem getting them to take it.
I really don't recommend putting it in water.

[flowerfairy]

Cypher why not in water?

[cypher]

I meant water bottles really, I think you use bowls don't you?
Bottles need a thorough daily cleaning if you put probiotics in them, or vitamins or anything else like that or they can get quite icky very quickly, also if you put them in water it's virtually impossible to accurately monitor how much they do or don't have.

[oddlyoblivious]

On the food seems like the best way as I don't trust my hams not to attempt to bathe in the water dish unintentionally. There are so many products it is overwhelming. Bird options sound good to regulate the dosage or maybe a syringe? That's how Sirius got his.

[cypher]

Syringe is just more stress unless they really like the taste of something, they only need the tiniest pinch so just stick to sprinkling it on food.

[barley]

I'd never thought of giving a ham probiotics. Is it something you would recommend?

I take them and give them to my dog too, so am totally sold on the benefits but had never considered the hams having them also.

[cypher]

I think it's a personal choice barley, if they're on meds I give them daily but otherwise mine get a dose of potent brew once a week.

[oddlyoblivious]

Antibiotics especially as it kills the good bacteria as well as the bad. For me it's a matter of making sure that they are as healthy as possible, as soon as I find a good one I'm likely to adopt Cypher's once a week method.