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Yes! In fact, you can preserve and enhance your canineโs immunity
without vaccinations. This alternative immunity booster is called
immunonutrition. Immunonutrition refers to trace elements,
minerals, vitamins, and macronutrients that influence antibody
production, resistance to diseases, white blood cells, and
inflammatory processes. Due to its positive effects in these
areas, immunonutrition preserves and enhances the immune system
of your canine.Immunonutrition started off with the study of
malnutritionโs effects on the insufficiency of the immune system.
Due to significant advancements in healthcare for pets,
malnutrition is no longer the primary reason for the decrease in
immunity. Around 70% of your canineโs immunity system comes from
its gut. Because of this, the immune cell receptors found in the
GI tract is the best platform for preserving and enhancing the
immune system of your canine through diet.
Nutrients to boost and preserve immunity
By providing these basic and essential nutrients, you will be
able to boost and preserve your canineโs immunity system:
Amino acids and proteins
When you add Arginine, an amino acid, to your canineโs food, it
increases the immune function of the T-cell. T-cell is extremely
important to your canineโs immune system as it helps in
effectively responding against cancerous cells and pathogens. It
isnโt clear how much Arginine is present in commercial and
processed dog food. However, chicken, eggs, and salmon are great
sources for Arginine.
Essential fatty acids
Arachadonic acid (AA) is one nutrient commonly found in the
majority of the cheap commercial pet foods. Low inflammation is a
primary and common finding in most chronic diseases such as
cancer, diabetes, and arthritis, which affects dogs. Rather than
feeding cheap commercial foods, you should feed your dog
high-quality pet food. You can improve and boost your canineโs
immunity by adding omega-3 fatty acid in its diet. Omega-3 fatty
acid reduces prostaglandins production, which reduces
inflammation throughout your canineโs body.
Minerals and vitamins
Most canine owners would have heard of free radicals, the damage
they cause to the canineโs cells and how it increases the
occurrence of diseases. When your canine is under stress or sick,
the production of free radicals will increase significantly.
Antioxidants such as zinc, selenium, vitamins E, C, and A protect
your canineโs body from free radicals. You can feed your canine
fresh fruits, vegetables, seeds, and raw nuts as they are rich in
antioxidants.Besides feeding your canine a diet with nutrients to
improve and preserve its immunity, you also need to maintain your
canineโs physical condition and weight. Excess fat will make the
immune system weak, which makes it all the more important to burn
excess fat. If you have any queries regarding this topic, feel
free to leave a comment below.
Hover over to next section to know more about the ways to tackle
the after effects of such situations.
Help For Dogs Fighting IMT (Immune Mediated
Thrombocytopenia)
Our dogs are very precious to us. They are probably the most
loyal being you can find. Thatโs why when something as frightful
and frustrating as the IMT affects one of our own, we tend to
break down. To understand how to better help our dogs who are
dealing with this disease, we first need to understand what it
is.
What Is IMT Or Immune Mediated
Thrombocytopenia?
Immune Mediated Thrombocytopenia is a dire illness where the body
targets the dogโs own platelets and can be extremely serious. The
surface of the platelets will have antibodies bound to them,
which, in turn, causes them to destruct prematurely.Platelets are
important for blood clotting. When the platelet count is low, it
can lead to serious conditions like bruising, anemia, bleeding,
and others.
There Are Certain Breeds That
Are Predisposed To This Condition. These Breeds Are:
- The American Cocker Spaniel
- Miniature Poodle
- Standard Poodle
- Toy Poodle
- German Shephard
- Old English Sheepdog
- Labrador Retriever
Other dogs that are prone to this IMT are middle aged dogs and
dogs who are out of their prime years.
Symptoms Of IMT In
Dogs:
IMT is pretty hard to diagnose so if you see any of these
symptoms, donโt hesitate to make an appointment at your
veterinarian.
- Weakness
- Bruising
- Lethargy
- Rapid breathing
- Bleeding from the nose
- Bleeding from the gums
- Tarry stools
- Difficulty breathing
- Pale gums
- Lack of appetite or anorexia
- Sudden Death
What Happens After Your Dog
Has Been Diagnosed With IMT?
Remember that you have to stay strong for your pet because this
is a very confusing time for him. You and your vet will first
have a detailed discussion about treatment plan. Your vet will
then prepare a customized individual treatment plan just for your
dog. Because of the aggressive nature of the treatment plan, your
dog will likely require round the clock care and will need to be
hospitalized throughout his treatment period.Immunosuppressive
drugs like cyclosporine, azathioprine, and steroids have been
known to be effective in the treatment of dogs with IMT. These
drugs will help to control the response of your dogโs immune
system to the depleting blood platelets.Supportive care such as
IV fluids and oxygen support may be necessary depending on how
sick your dog has become. In some cases, especially if your dog
has become anemic, blood transfusions will be required.
What To Do Once Your Dog Has
Recovered From IMT:
The administration of immuno-suppressive drugs may need to
continue for several months. Your dog can be slowly weaned off of
the medication after the completion of the treatment plan. Your
dog may need drug therapy for the rest of his life to make sure
that his platelets are not dropping. In the case of most dogs,
they live pretty normal lives after the treatment has been
completed.
