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IMMUNE

Immune Suppression/Chronic Infections

Species affected: All
Background: Environmental pollution, especially pesticides, exposure to heavy metals and radiation, contribute to a weakened immune system. Chronic immune suppression can be genetic, as many people breed animals that are already immune suppressed. Chronic administration of drugs can also weaken a susceptible immune system. Some animals may require greater than "normal" amounts of some nutrients, especially antioxidants.
Symptoms: Occurrence of frequent infections, abscesses, bladder infections, colds, pneumonia, small wounds that will not heal, yeast infections. Other body systems may be involved such as the digestive tract, nervous system, skin, respiratory system, reproductive tract, and the joints of the body.
Diagnostics: Depend on the system(s) involved and the availability of immune function tests; in some cases, the primary diagnostics are a complete history and physical.
Special Notes: Nutritional imbalances and deficiencies are common in commercial diets. Detoxification often helps.
Principles for Supplementation: Supply nutrients that aid the immune system without overloading it.

CANINE AND FELINE PRODUCTS
Therapeutics: Dosage: Mechanism/Purpose:
Canine Basic Nutrients9Dogs 2 capsules/50 lbs, sid Source of general nutrients.
Cellular Forte with IP-67 Cats 1/4 capsule, bid Stimulates the immune system.
Dogs 1/4 - 1 capsule, bid
Chinese Herbal Vitammune9 Cats 1-2 pills, bid Builds qi and blood, strengthens the immune system.
Dogs 5 pills/50 lbs, bid
Feline Basic Nutrients9Cats 1-2 capsules, sid Source of general nutrients.
Immugen9 Cats 1/2 capsule, sid Nutrients enhance immune function.
Dogs 2 capsules/50 lbs, sid
Moducare9 Cats 1/2 capsule, sid* Plant sterols regulate immune function
Dogs 2 capsules/50 lbs, sid*
*give between meals

EQUINE PRODUCTS
Therapeutics:Dosage: Mechanism/Purpose:
Ascorbic Acid Powder92-4 teaspoons, sid Enhances immune function, often deficient in horses under stress.
Chinese Herbal Equine Tonic91/2 - 2/3 scoop, bid Strengthens immune system.
Equine Immune Support92 scoops, sid Provides nutrients for the immune system.
Moducare98-12 capsules, sid*
*give between meals
Plant sterols and sterolins enhance immune function.
PRO BI15 ml, bid Supports beneficial gut bacteria.

Autoimmune Disorders

Species affected: All (most commonly dogs and cats)
Background: The body develops an immunologic reaction to its own tissue, creating antigen-antibody complexes that get deposited in various tissues. This family of diseases is probably expanding more rapidly than any other category, is found in dogs more commonly than cats, and females more commonly than males. Most purebred breeds are predisposed to certain forms of the condition.
Symptoms: May vary from case to case depending upon which organ system(s) is involved. The major categories are digestive, respiratory, hematological, endocrine and dermatological.
Diagnostics: Many cases involve multiple systems and need to be diagnosed using the appropriate tools for the presenting signs; depends on the availability of specific tests.
Special Notes: The etiology is not well understood, though some cases appear following drug therapy or vaccination, especially when modified live virus vaccines are used. Cases may be induced with emotional stress, nutritional inadequacies, secondary to other diseases, environmental pollution, drug, and vaccine exposure.
Principles for Supplementation: Regulate the immune system, support immune function, treat affected body systems with supportive therapy; anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds can be very helpful.

CANINE AND FELINE PRODUCTS
Therapeutics: Dosage: Mechanism/Purpose:
Cats claw Cats 5 mg, bid for 3 days, then sid Modulates immune function.
Dogs 5-20 mg, bid for 3 days, then sid
Chinese Herbal Dermaclear9 Cats 1-2 pills, bid Cools heat, stops itching.
Dogs 5 pills/50 lbs, bid
E-500 d-Alpha Tocopherol9 Cats 1/4 gelcap, sid Antioxidant, normalizes immune function.
Dogs 1 gelcap, sid
Moducare9 Cats 1/2 capsule, sid Plant sterols and sterolins enhance function and decrease auto-immune antibody production.
Dogs 2 capsules/50 lbs, sid*
*give between meals
Small Animal Antioxidant9 Cats 1/2 capsule, sid Antioxidant.
Dogs 2 capsules/50 lbs, sid
Super EPA9 Cats 1/2 capsule, sid Anti-inflammatory.
Dogs 2 capsules/50 lbs, sid

EQUINE PRODUCTS
Therapeutics:Dosage: Mechanism/Purpose:
Equine Antioxidant91 scoop, bid Antioxidant.
Equine Immune Support92 scoops, sid Provides nutrients for the immune system.
Flax/Hemp Oil3 tablespoons, sid Anti-inflammatory, stabilizes membranes.
Moducare98-12 capsules, sid*
*give between meals
Regulates immune function and decreases auto-antibody production.
Omega Plus910-15 gelcaps, sid Anti-inflammatory.

Allergy, Food

Species affected: All
Background: Food allergies (immune-mediated hypersensitivities) and food intolerances which are often non-immune-mediated are common conditions, with some breeds having a higher incidence.
Symptoms: Frequently digestive in origin, including diarrhea, enteritis, irritable bowel syndrome, vomiting and malabsorption. Other symptoms can develop including skin and coat problems, respiratory symptoms.
Diagnostics: The best way to diagnose the condition is through IGE blood testing for allergens, or food elimination diets.
Special Notes: Food allergies should be considered when animals have chronic disease symptoms that are non-responsive to carefully selected treatments.
Principles for Supplementation: Treatment consists of therapy directed at the organ affected, along with elimination of the foods to which the animal is reactive. Digestive enzymes are often indicated as the digestive tract is often functioning at less than optimal levels. B-complex has been found to increase the effectiveness of conventional treatment; many animals are at least partially B-vitamin deficient because of malabsorption.

CANINE AND FELINE PRODUCTS
Therapeutics: Dosage: Mechanism/Purpose:
Basic B Complex9 Cats 1/4 capsule, bid Replace water soluble B-vitamins not absorbed from diarrhea. Response to conventional drugs improves when B-vitamins are added.
Dogs 1 capsule, bid
Basic Immune Nutrients9 Cats 1/2 pill, bid Reduce inflammation, help immune system.
Dogs 2 pills/50 lbs, bid
Chinese Herbal Dermaclear9 Cats 1-2 pills, bid Cools heat, clears itching, especially when the skin is hot. May be helpful relieving symptoms while food is being adjusted.
Dogs 5 pills/50 lbs, bid
Gastriplex9 Cats 1/2 - 1 capsule, sid Support enterocytes; improve local immune function, decrease gut permeability.
Dogs 4 capsules/50 lbs, sid
L-Glutamine9 Cats 1/4 capsule/meal Fuel for enterocytes, help heal the gut wall.
Dogs 1 capsule/50 lbs/meal
MediClear9 Cats 1/4 teaspoon, bid or qid Supports enterocytes, supports detoxification pathways.
Dogs 1/2 - 6 teaspoons, bid or qid
Plantizyme9 Cats 1/4 capsule/meal Digestive enzymes from a plant source.
Dogs 1-2 capsules/50 lbs/meal
Super EPA9 Cats 1/2 capsule, sid Anti-inflammatory
Dogs 2 capsules/50 lbs, sid

EQUINE PRODUCTS
Therapeutics: Dosage: Mechanism/Purpose:
Equine Antioxidant9 1 scoop, bid Antioxidant support for the GI tract.
Flax/Hemp Oil 3 tablespoons, sid Anti-inflammatory, stabilizes membranes.
Gastriplex9 8 capsules, sid Support enterocytes; improve local immune function.
Omega Plus9 10-15 gelcaps, sid Anti-inflammatory.
Plantizyme9 6-8 capsules, sid Digestive enzymes.
PRO BI1 5 ml, bid Supports beneficial gut bacteria.

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Disclaimer:  The information provided on this site is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian before using any nutraceuticals.