For years, Timmy had a job. Every morning he'd arrive at the airport, harness on, nose down, and go to work — sniffing out contraband hidden in luggage and cargo. He was part of Western Australia's biosecurity frontline, a four-legged quarantine officer who took his role very seriously.
Then came retirement. And not long after, Timmy lost his sight.
His world got smaller, but his personality didn't. These days, Timmy navigates life entirely by smell, and for a dog whose nose was literally his career, that's not so bad. His pet parent Natalie describes him as a gentle soul who throws himself into everything with quiet enthusiasm.
"Anything that involves walking and sniffing he loves. He loves his scent training, where he can sniff out certain smells hidden around the house or yard."
A Sensitive Stomach in a Big Lab Body
Like a lot of Labradors, Timmy has always had a powerful relationship with food. Enthusiastic doesn't quite cover it.
"We have learned to keep our laundry closed, as this is where Timmy's food is kept. One day when we were out, he found his way into the laundry and into his kibble bin…I'm sure he ate one week's worth of food in one go."
It's a funny story in hindsight, but moments like that, along with the everyday disruptions of aging, reduced activity, and a changed routine, can quietly throw a dog's gut out of balance.
“When we are out and about, his nose always leads him to people who have a pocket full of treats. Timmy will get their attention by sitting quietly and proudly by their side and giving them a small bump. When they look down and see Timmy sitting proudly with his LOVE ME I’M BLIND bandana on, they can’t resist and ask if they can give Timmy a treat.”
For Timmy, that meant inconsistent stools and the kind of digestive discomfort that's hard to watch in a dog who already has a lot to adjust to.
Natalie wanted to find something that would help keep him comfortable and regular, without adding complexity to their routine.
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Discovering What Works for Timmy’s Sensitive Gut
Due to his previous work in a high stress environment, Timmy was already taking Protexin Veterinary Synbiotic D-C into Timmy's as part of his daily routine: a combined probiotic and prebiotic supplement that works to restore and maintain healthy gut bacteria. It's designed for exactly the kind of ongoing digestive support that older dogs, or dogs going through change, often need. On the odd occasion when Timmy gets too many treats, Natalie gives Timmy Pro-Kolin+ as a little extra support for his gut.
The results were simple and consistent.
"Timmy loves his Protexin Veterinary Synbiotic D-C. It keeps him regular and makes his poos much easier to pick up."
For Natalie, that meant one less thing to worry about on their daily walks, and for Timmy, a more comfortable day-to-day life doing the things he loves.
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How Small Changes Lead to Big Health Differences
Gut health doesn't always announce itself loudly. But when it's off, you notice it in your dog's comfort, their energy, and the quality of their daily routine. For dogs like Timmy, who are navigating the changes that come with age, a little targeted support can go a long way.
These days, Timmy is out there sniffing, walking, and living life at his own pace. His tummy is on track. And that, for Natalie, is everything.
Could your dog benefit from gut support? If your dog has a sensitive stomach, is going through a life change, or just needs a little help staying regular, ask your vet about Protexin Veterinary Synbiotic D-C and Pro-Kolin + Probiotic Paste for Dogs & Cats.
Browse our vet-recommended gut health supplements
Synbiotic D-C Probiotic & Prebiotic Capsules For Dogs & Cats
Synbiotic D-C by Protexin Veterinary gives your dog or cat 2 billion live probiotics alongside a prebiotic in one daily capsule, supporting a healthy gut microbiome for everyday wellness or recovery from illness, antibiotics, or digestive upsets. The gelatine capsule can be given whole or opened and sprinkled over food to suit your pet’s preferences. Soya-free and available in 50-capsule packs, no prescription required.
Health Benefits
- Supports a healthy, diverse gut microbiome: high-potency probiotic strain helps restore and maintain a healthy balance of beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract
- Feeds beneficial gut bacteria: Preplex prebiotic (a natural prebiotic fibre blend) nourishes the good bacteria along the full length of the gastrointestinal tract
- Supports recovery after antibiotics: replaces beneficial gut bacteria disrupted by antibiotic treatment
- Soya-free formula: suitable for pets with soy sensitivities, unlike some probiotic pastes that contain soybean oil
- Flexible administration: capsule can be given whole or opened and sprinkled over food to suit fussy pets
- Once-daily dosing: simple, convenient daily supplement suitable for long-term use
Protexin Veterinary Synbiotic D-C is a combined probiotic and prebiotic capsule used to restore gut balance in dogs and cats after antibiotics, illness, or dietary change.
Check out our range of dog probiotics and cat probiotics for more.
Pro-Kolin + Probiotic Paste for Dogs and Cats
Pro-Kolin+ Paste from Protexin Veterinary is a probiotic paste for digestive support, and is the UK's leading companion animal probiotic, used to support gastrointestinal function.
Pro-Kolin contains:
Probiotics
A natural ‘friendly’ bacterium, Enterococcus faecium, which helps to keep the level of beneficial bacteria high and exclude pathogenic species.
Preplex prebiotics
A prebiotic, consisting of fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS) and acacia (Gum arabic), which helps to feed and stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria.
Kaolin
A natural binding agent which helps to firm up the faeces.
Pectin
To help soothe the gut lining.
Artificial beef flavouring
To improve palatability and compliance.
Pro-Kolin Advanced Probiotic for Dogs
Pro-Kolin Advanced Probiotic Paste by Protexin Veterinary gives dogs with digestive upsets or loose stools stronger gut support than standard probiotics alone. The liver-flavoured paste combines live probiotics and prebiotics with psyllium husk, beta-glucans, and montmorillonite clay to firm stools and soothe the gut lining. Suitable from 8 weeks of age and available in 15ml, 30ml, and 60ml graduated syringes, no prescription required.
Health Benefits
- Enhanced stool-firming formula: kaolin, montmorillonite, pectin, and psyllium husk work together to absorb excess water and firm loose stools more effectively than basic probiotic pastes
- Supports immune function: beta-glucans add immune-modulating properties not found in the standard Pro-Kolin+ formula
- Helps restore healthy gut bacteria: high-potency probiotic and Preplex prebiotic help rebuild a healthy gut microbiome
- Soothes the gut lining: pectin helps calm intestinal inflammation during recovery
- Liver flavour: better palatability for dogs that resist beef-flavoured pastes
- Safe from 8 weeks: suitable for puppies and adults alike, safe for long-term use
Protexin Veterinary Pro-Kolin Advanced is a high-strength dog probiotic paste with kaolin and attapulgite, formulated for rapid gut recovery after acute diarrhoea or dietary indiscretion.
