Immunity in Dogs and Cats  / Why Supporting Immune Health Is Vital for Dogs and Cats

Herbal nutrition to help support balanced immunity and to help prevent immune system diseases for dogs and cats.

The immune system is a complex army of cells that are found throughout your pet’s body that provides a fortified defense against unwanted invaders. It is an intricate system that keeps your pet healthy and protects them against allergens, viruses, bacteria, microbes, parasites, toxins, foreign fells and cellular mutations (healthy cells which have mutated into irregular cells). The immune system is tasked with protecting EVERY cell in the animal body. 

A healthy immune system is resilient, powerful and up to the task of supporting normal, balanced function. The immune system is not intended to be suppressed or stimulated. But even an animal with a highly developed immune system can experience dysfunction or failure. In cases of dysfunction, an animal body requires whole body systemic support. If your pet’s immune system is weakened, every bodily system is at risk for disease. 

When your animal’s immune system is triggered, and if it is not in balance, it sends an alarm throughout the body in instances such as exposure to fleas, pollen, chemicals or other inorganic materials. When immunity is not balanced, it becomes overactive or suppressed and is no longer able to tell the difference between its own body or a foreign invader. As a result, the animal body basically attacks its own immune system, opening the door to inflammation, infection and autoimmune disease. 

Allergies are an example of an autoimmune disease. Many animals suffer from allergies that are caused by a hypersensitive reaction of the immune system to environmental allergens. When antigens enter your pet's body, the immune system over-reacts and triggers antibodies which create a histamine response, resulting in an allergic reaction. 

The allergic reaction differs in severity and tends to include itchiness, skin lesions, hair loss (alopecia), breathing problems, blocked sinus, asthma, eczema, hot spots and contact dermatitis. When immune system cells over-produce and are out of balance, more serious auto immune diseases such as arthritis or cancer can also follow.. 

Conventional veterinarians will recommend antibiotics, glucosteroids or corticosteroids. However, an animal struggling with a compromised immune system can become further burdened and weakened with medications that contain inorganic compounds and derivatives that collect in the cell walls of your animal's body, contributing to toxicity, which can actually hasten disease.

Antibiotics and steroids are often prescribed for autoimmune diseases and do not address the underlying cause of disease and do not encourage the animal body to heal from the inside out. The more frequently your pet is given synthetic drugs, the more depressed their immune system becomes, and the more susceptible they become to future disease and reoccurring infection, creating a vicious cycle of drug use, which further compromises immunity. The end result typically prevents in chronic conditions such as allergies, and if left unchecked, over time, compromised immune systems can develop into serious and sometimes fatal diseases and conditions.   

Practical suggestions to help maintain balanced immunity: 

Feed your pet either a premium, holistic, home cooked or raw diet, without preservatives, additives or colorants. It is recommended to avoid corn, wheat and soy, especially if your dog or cat has allergies. And remember immunity primarily resides in the gut so what you feed your pet is vitally linked to the state of their immune health. 

Provide fresh, clean, filtered water daily and encourage your pet to drink. Your pet's body is not designed to manage fluorides and other chemicals often found in tap water.  

Strengthen your pet’s immune system with immune-building supplements. The reality is that our pets are over burdened with toxicity and despite feeding high quality food, likely need a natural, immune boosting supplement. 

Limit chemical exposure to inorganic fragrances and chemicals-both inside and outside the house. (Think dryer sheets, room deodorizes, cigarettes, de-icers, lawn fertilizers, etc.) 

Exercise your dog and cat daily. It helps tone the lymphatic system and encourage detoxification and supports proper waste elimination. 

Maintain a hygienic environment by regularly disinfecting your pet’s food and water bowls, sleep area as well as litter box. 

Visit your holistic vet regularly for routine check ups to ensure overall health and well being.

Organic Remedies - (listed in order of relevance and recommendation by holistic vets ) 

Herbal remedies are used to help promote a healthy immune system; as an immune tonic to help naturally fight off infection and disease without the drawbacks of antibiotic and steroid therapy; to help cleanse, detoxify and purify the body through elimination of excess waste and toxins; natural plant chemicals function as an anti-inflammatory, pain reliever, anti-fungal, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-septic, anti-microbial, immunologic, blood cleansing and body purifying agent that helps address histamine and mast cell triggers that are often responsible for allergic reactions; adaptogen content may help identify immune dysfunction and may help correct irregularities in body systems; to nutritionally help correct imbalance toward whole body immune support.  

I Feel Good –  (learn more) contains plant based adaptogens, which helps nutritionally tone the animal body, helps boost or balance immunity as needed, including soothing an over-stimulated immune system or boosting an under performing immune system, helps to reduce all forms of system-wise metabolic and oxidative stress that undermine immunity; helps support water regulation and fluid balance in the body; helps reduce all types of inflammation, provides dermal support and growth of healthy cells and tissues in the body’s defense mechanism, reduces the histamine trigger for contact allergies, seasonal and chronic allergens, pathogens, skin rashes, infections, hot spots, inflammation, swelling, hair loss, itching and geriatria (dull coat, lethargy); for all types of arthritis, including Degenerative Joint Disease, Osteoarthritis, Osteoporosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and symptoms associated with rheumatism, including pain, strains, injuries, muscle pain, swelling and lack of mobility; reduces all types of inflammation, particularly from the heart to brain; plus contains prebiotics and probiotics useful in balancing digestive health and function plus much more. Recognized as one of the most important medicinal plants in the world, particularly related to supporting balanced immunity and limiting inflammation and inflammatory conditions.

Bionic Body – (learn more) is used holistically for its adaptogenic (read, repair and restore functions) for its immune boosting and anti-inflammatory support; as an antioxidant and for its free radical scavenging (disease preventing) actions; for its nutritive content which may help to nourish the body and strengthen and revitalize bones, eye, teeth, skin and coat; works to stimulate collagen production, a primary building material of bones; may help prevent dental disease; for its plant actions to help strengthen bones, cartilage, joints, muscles, connective tissues & blood vessels & helps to reduce joint inflammation, while activating a cartilage-protective biochemical, potentially helping to preserve healthy cartilage in aging joint; for its anti-allergen natural plant chemicals which may help to fight off allergies and infections; for its prebiotic and probiotic content to help support native gut flora and healthy digestion.

I Want Liquid Immunity -  (learn more) contains water-soluble plant bioflavonoids that function as potent antioxidants which are important in disease prevention; used adjunctively for growth abnormalities such as tumors, cysts and lipomas (often related to poor diet, excessive medication, environmental toxicity as well as aberrant cellular mutations); provides antioxidant protection against free radicals; helps promote cellular health and to reduce catabolic waste; may help address symptoms related to allergies, Lyme disease and other auto immune diseases; provides nutritional, biochemical and plant botanical support of healthy immune cells; promotes optimal immune protection and systematic health and strength; supports bone, teeth and muscle health and integrity and for animals that need extra joint, immune, circulatory and vascular support. Strongly anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-microbial and anti-mutagenic.

Tummy Gladiator – (read more) is used holistically to help support a healthy digestive tract; to help maintain native gut flora, soothe stomach upset and support proper elimination; to lend nutritional support for balanced immune health; to help support lymphatic function; may help fight stomach and urinary infections, as well as general infections found in the animal body, due to its natural plant based steroid content and healthy plant chemicals which are anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, anti-fungal and anti-Candidal; may also help to block allergen occurrence by reducing histamine and mast cell response as well as related inflammation, the triggers for allergies.

Conventional Remedies:  

Antibiotics and steroid medications may be recommended for dogs and cats with immune systems that are out of balance. Omega 3 fish oils and marine extracts may be recommended, as well as a balanced, holistic diet and exercise. 

Be aware that antibiotic, glucosteroids and corticosteroids can seriously compromise immune health, have serious side effects and are unable to address the underlying cause for immune disorders and failure. Once a steroid therapy is stopped, all symptoms of disease or disorder will return. If long term steroid therapy is stopped abruptly, adrenal failure can occur in dogs and cats and can be fatal.

Immunity primarily resides in the gut, so if your pet is prescribed antibiotics, please add probiotics to help support gut flora to keep your dog and cat's belly healthy and happy. Pet supplementation is encouraged for balanced immunity.

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