Beyond the Microbiome: Why Pro- and Postbiotics Are Transforming Immune and Dermatological Support in Small Animal practice

The intestinal microbiome has become one of the most intensively studied biological

systems in veterinary medicine. While its role in digestion has long been recognised, recent

evidence has demonstrated that the gastrointestinal tract functions as a highly complex

immunological and endocrine organ, exerting systemic effects that extend well beyond

nutrient absorption. Interactions between the intestinal microbiota, the host immune system

and distant organs—including the skin—have led to increasing interest in microbiome-

targeted nutritional interventions for managing both gastrointestinal and extra-intestinal

disease.

Among these, probiotics have received considerable attention. However, advances in

microbiome science have highlighted that many of the beneficial effects previously attributed

solely to live microorganisms are actually mediated by the bioactive compounds they

produce. Consequently, the focus has shifted from simply administering bacteria to

delivering both metabolically active microorganisms and their functional metabolites.

Although often discussed together, prebiotics, probiotics and postbiotics each have distinct

roles.

Prebiotics are selectively utilised substrates, such as fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and

mannan oligosaccharides (MOS), that provide nourishment for beneficial microorganisms

already present in the intestine.

Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when administered in appropriate amounts, are

intended to support the normal balance of the intestinal microbiota. Their activity depends on

factors such as bacterial viability, storage conditions and survival through the gastrointestinal

tract.

Postbiotics are preparations containing inanimate microorganisms and/or the bioactive

compounds they produce during fermentation. These include short-chain fatty acids,

peptides, enzymes, organic acids and cell wall components that are being widely

investigated for their role in microbiome-host interactions.

Current research suggests that many of the biological effects associated with probiotics may

be mediated through these microbial metabolites, highlighting why postbiotics have become

an important area of scientific interest.

The microbiome and immune function

The gastrointestinal tract contains 70% of the body's immune tissue, with continuous

communication occurring between intestinal microorganisms and immune cells within the

gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT).

A balanced intestinal microbiota is recognised as an important component of normal immune

function. Ongoing research continues to investigate how microbial metabolites may influence

epithelial barrier integrity, interactions with immune cells and maintenance of intestinal

homeostasis.

Rather than acting independently, the microbiota and the host immune system exist in a

dynamic relationship that contributes to normal physiological function throughout life.

The gut-skin axis

Interest has also grown in the relationship between the gastrointestinal microbiome and skin

health, commonly referred to as the gut-skin axis.

This concept describes the complex communication between the gut microbiota, the immune

system and the skin through metabolic and immunological pathways. Although research in

veterinary medicine is still evolving, studies continue to explore how maintaining a balanced

intestinal microbiome may contribute to overall skin health as part of a comprehensive

nutritional approach.

For veterinary professionals, this highlights the importance of considering gastrointestinal

health alongside dermatological management, particularly in patients requiring long-term

nutritional support.

Why formulation matters

Many probiotic supplements are produced using freeze-drying (lyophilisation), which

preserves bacterial viability during storage. Once administered, these microorganisms must

rehydrate and survive the conditions of the gastrointestinal tract before becoming

metabolically active.

Liquid formulations offer a different approach. Because the bacteria remain metabolically

active during production, they naturally generate postbiotic compounds throughout the

fermentation process. As a result, the final product contains both live microorganisms and

the metabolites produced by those microorganisms prior to administration.

This combination of probiotics and naturally occurring postbiotics has become an area of

increasing interest within microbiome research, reflecting a broader understanding that

bacterial function may be as important as bacterial numbers alone.

Precision Microbes Small Animal is a liquid complementary feed that combines live

probiotic bacteria with naturally produced postbiotic metabolites in a single formulation. By

delivering both components together, the product reflects current developments in

microbiome science, where increasing attention is being given not only to viable bacteria but

also to the bioactive compounds generated during fermentation.

As understanding of the microbiome continues to evolve, nutritional products containing both

probiotics and postbiotics represent an innovative approach to supporting the normal

balance of the intestinal microbiota as part of everyday veterinary nutritional management.

As research progresses, it is becoming increasingly clear that the future of microbiome

nutrition is likely to focus not simply on the number of bacteria delivered, but on their overall

biological activity and the complex interactions between microorganisms, their metabolites

and the host.