Disruption of Hindgut Flora
What causes disruption of hindgut flora?
There are a number of factors which can influence the balance of beneficial and pathogenic bacteria in the gut. These include:
- High cereal diet
- Low forage diet
- Stress
- Strenuous exercise
- Transport
- NSAID (a type of painkiller such as bute) use
- Antibiotic use
- Weaning
- Management changes
Effects of microflora disruption
An imbalance of gut flora caused by too few beneficial bacteria and an overgrowth of bad bacteria is known as dysbiosis.
Dysbiosis can cause a decrease in pH within the gut and subsequent inflammation of the gut leading to clinical problems such as:
- Diarrhoea
- Colonic ulceration
- Poor body condition
- Poor performance
- Low grade colic
- Behavioural changes
Healthy gut flora (beneficial bacteria) are fundamental for good fibre digestion.
