Colostrum Supplements for Dogs
“A dog is a man’s best friend” is not merely a saying. It has always stayed true to its meaning, perhaps even more so as time goes by. Back in the day, people used to rely upon dogs for work. But as times changed, we began to appreciate a different bond with them. These days, they are like a part of our family and we care for them as we would our children. For dog owners, one of the top priorities is to ensure their pet’s health and happiness. We treat our furry family members with the utmost care; from dental visits to grooming. Making sure they have good caretakers in the case of our absence. When they become ill, we take them to the vet and help ease their ailments. However, like humans, the best health cures are preventative ones. Colostrum strengthens the immune system which allows it to regenerate and fight off pathogens. Components like proline-rich polypeptides, immunoglobulins, and lactoferrin are the building blocks of the immune system. These are naturally present in colostrum. Below is a list of common ailments that can affect your dog's health. Also, lists on how colostrum supplements can help prevent and reverse these ailments to keep your faithful best friends healthy and robust.
Common Health Issues That Can Affect Dogs
Allergies
Many dogs experience a variety of skin issues. Some skin may appear red and flaky, some may lose patches of hair. There are different reasons why this happens, but the most common is due to allergies.Urinary Tract Infection
Dealing with dogs urinating around the house can be frustrating. Most owners associate it with a lack of training or behavioral issues. Moreover, this can also be a sign that your dog may have a urinary tract infection.Dental Disease
Bad breath is not normal in dogs and can be a sign of dental disease. Plaque and tartar in a dog’s mouth harbor dangerous bacteria, causing damage to the teeth and gums. If it is not prevented, it can worsen over time. For this reason, the bacteria can enter the bloodstream, leading to other more serious issues in the body.Gastrointestinal (GI) Disorders
Healthy digestion is essential for dogs to be able to use the nutrients from their food to build and repair tissues and obtain energy. GI disorders and diseases can result in pain and other problems such as dehydration, acid-base and electrolyte imbalances as well as malnutrition.Kennel Cough
A respiratory infection can be easily transmitted from one dog to another when they interact. Especially, in places where large amounts of canines congregate such as boarding and daycare facilities, dog parks, training groups, and dog shows.
Benefits of Colostrum Supplement for Dogs
Colostrum has all the same benefits for dogs as it does for people. Holistic medicine is promoting the use of bovine colostrum to improve the overall health of dogs. Some of the ways that colostrum is known to improve a dog’s health are the following:1. Increased Ability to Ward Off Allergies
Colostrum contains proline-rich polypeptide (PRP), which “have a unique ability to modulate the immune system, turning it up when needed to fight an infection, or turning it down when it is overactive, such as is the case in autoimmune disorders,” Andrew M. Keech, Ph.D. Allergies are the result of an overactive immune system. The PRP in the colostrum down-regulates the overactive immune system, relieving the symptoms of allergies such as pain, swelling, and inflammation.2. Protects the Urinary Tract
According to the Journal of Medical Biology (1980), Escherichia coli produces 80% of all urinary tract infections. Numerous researchers have shown that colostrum has bacteriostatic and bactericidal effects against E. coli. Peroxidase, lactoferrin, and immunoglobulin A (IgA) in colostrum are capable of combating E. coli, as well as many other viruses and bacteria.3. Oral Health
According to John Ellis DVM Ph.D., several factors in bovine colostrum could counteract or delay periodontal disease (PD). Since oral bacteria is thought to be the inciting factor in PD, the antimicrobial factors present in colostrum, such as lactoferrin, could have a direct effect on the oral bacterial load.4. Gut Health
Colostrum is the best remedy known for all-around gut health. The gut contains both good bacteria and bad bacteria. When the bad bacteria outnumber the good, it causes what is known as intestinal permeability. This is where toxins and pathogens are able to pass through the gut lining, into the body, causing a multitude of diseases. The growth factors and hormones in the colostrum help repair damage to the intestinal lining. Similarly, immunoglobulins in colostrum help control harmful bacteria and fungi from overgrowth. In addition, colostrum promotes the recolonization of good bacteria in the gut. All of these factors together improve the absorption and assimilation of nutrients leading to better overall health for your pet.5. Immune System
Colostrum is unmatched as an immune system stimulant and moderator. Immunoglobulins, also known as antibodies, are special proteins produced by the body that can bind to virtually any bacteria, virus, protein, peptide, carbohydrate, or cell that the body recognizes as ‘foreign’. Once attached, scavenger cells are sent to destroy or neutralize it. Colostrum also contains an array of immune factors including cytokines, interferon, lactoferrin, and PRPs. Supplementation of these factors can dramatically restore immunity, prevent infection, and speed healing.
How much Dosage
Colostrum builds up immunity benefits over time. So, it is suggested to give your dog colostrum on a regular basis. If your pet suffers from an ailment, you should increase the daily dosage to ramp up the immune system and help fight the disease. Likewise, if you plan on boarding your pet during a vacation, double the dosage a week or so prior to boarding so that it isn’t susceptible to bacteria or viruses that can often be picked up in kennels. SourcesPeptide Immunotherapy by Andrew M Keech, PhD https://www.thesprucepets.com/common-dog-health-problems-1117863 https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/kennel-cough-symptoms-treatment-and-prevention/ https://ivcjournal.com/colostrum/ https://dogsfirst.ie/colostrum-for-dogs-a-serious-immune-booster-and-gut-healer/ https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/colostrum-benefits-for-dogs/ https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/e567/7be78b98d11d5197e0b60dfbbd0527328ca3.pdf https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3257684/
BodyBoost
BodyBoost colostrum is the first milking after birth and is spray dried using low pressure indirect steam and carefully controlled temperatures to produce a high-quality powder while protecting the colostral proteins. Each colostrum product batch is thoroughly analyzed prior to shipment to assure its quality, efficacy and safety.
