Dr Jones Internet Vet

Now that we are in the peak of Flu season, I have had many pet owners ask WHAT they can do to help their pet fight off disease..
Should you vaccinate?
What about nutrition?
I encourage you to give my supplement a try. It contains a multitude of immune supportive products, is easy to give, and your pet will enjoy it.
If you have yet to try it, you can get a 50% OFF trial bottle here:
http://www.thedogsupplement.com
http://www.thecatsupplement.com

Immunity 101
Your dog and cat’s immune system reacts in a multitude of ways to protect against disease.
There are local cells called neutrophils that devour bacteria in infections.
Then there are the antibodies which are mounted in defense of viruses invading your pet’s body.
It is estimated that 60-70 percent of your pet’s immune system is found in the intestinal tract; it’s a largely overlooked role in keeping your pet healthy and preventing disease naturally in the first place.
TOO much immunity?
Unfortunately your pet’s immune system can be over-reactive; it responds inappropriately to ‘percieved’ invaders, resulting in disease.
Over-reactive immune systems produce those allergic signs; itching, scratching, hair loss, the skin odor.
Even more serious over-reactions can result in life threatening anemia ( Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia), or Immune mediated skin diseases such as Lupus.

Vaccines and Immunity

Yes they have a purpose; but clearly most pets in North America have been given far too many vaccines.
Vaccines work by stimulating the immune system to produce antibodies and prevent specific infections, such as Canine Parvovirus. This is effective an appropriate for a young puppy, but completely not necessary for a 7 year old dog.
The repeated use of vaccines can over sensitizes the immune system- it overreacts to otherwise benign things, and the result is disease such as allergies.

Balance
What we want to achieve for our pet’s immune system ( and ourselves), is balance.
We want an immune system which responds well to disease, such as the flu, but doesn’t over-respond to ‘normal’ things, such as pollen in your yard.

So how do you go about achieving this immune balance?
Here are a few common sense tips…

1. Vaccinate less- give only the vaccines needed as infrequent as possible. I have said this many times before, and feel free to look up my advised vaccine regimen on my blog. You ultimately need to make this decision in conjunction with your veterinarian. I suggest that you discuss this with a veterinarian ‘open’ to change.

2. Quality and varied food. If you can feed a natural, organic food, do so. Avoid kibble as much as possible for cats. Feed some home diets, and some raw food. Watch my last video on Pet Food and add some of those ingredients to the food ( ie yoghurt, flax oil)

3. Supplements. There are a number of different nutrients which can be beneficial, and I have included many of them in my supplements. Whether you feed my supplement or not, at least consider adding 1-2 of the ingredients regularly to your pet’s diet. You can use something as simple as 3% regular yoghurt daily.

Here are some of the immune supportive products:
Vitamins and minerals. The antioxidants, vitamins A, C and E, selenium and zinc, can protect your pet’s body from free radicals. During illness there are more free radicals produced.
Omega 3 Fatty Acids. These have numerous documented benefits, so you should be having your pet on some type of daily EFA. Common dog and cat diseases- allergies, arthritis, cancer, all respond to EFA’s

Key Amino Acids. These are found in protein, and can be increased if you feed a primary animal protein diet. Certain ones are particularly helpful: lysine and arginine boost the functioning of the immune system. Lysine is one of the few treatments for recurring herpes virus infection in cats.

Colostrum is the powerful, nutrient-rich “mother’s first milk“, and it has over 37 potent immune factors.

Maiitake Mushroom is a key immuno-protective mushroom which has Laboratory studies have shown that maitake can block growth of cancer tumors and boost the immune function

Probiotics. These are the healthy bacteria which have a host of medicinal benefits, and a primary one being Lactobacillus which has been shown to enhance immune system and prevent risk of allergies.