Dog Health Keeper! Understand the dog immune system
The immune system of humans and dogs is the same, and it is the first line of defense to prevent viruses from invading the body. It can recognize potential threats such as bacteria and parasites, and destroy the germs while identifying them, protecting the body from being attacked.
The dog’s immune system covers a wide range of areas, including the skin, urinary tract, digestive tract, respiratory tract, reproductive organs, etc. Immune cells perform their duties in each organ to fight against viruses.
However, dogs cannot wash their hands, disinfect and keep clean at any time like humans. They are more likely to be exposed to environmental toxins from their paws, skin, and hair than humans. Therefore, once a dog’s immune system is imbalanced, it is like losing the health gatekeeper, which also becomes a dog’s health problem. Why dogs get sick easily!
What problems will occur if a dog’s immune system is imbalanced?
(1) Symptoms of reduced immunity in dogs
When a dog’s immunity declines, it means that the immune system cannot properly fight germs, and the dog’s gastrointestinal, skin, respiratory tract and other organs also increase the risk of bacterial infection. When dogs become sick, they often change their appearance or behavior. Symptoms include:
🐕falling ill repeatedly
🐕irregular excretion
🐕Loss of appetite
🐕Itchy skin
🐕joint discomfort
🐕Vomit
l🐕ethargy
(2) Symptoms of dogs with too strong immunity
In addition to paying attention to your dog’s weakened immunity, in fact “too strong immunity” is also very dangerous!
An overactive immune system can turn against the body, causing inflammation and damage to healthy tissue cells and organs.
This will cause some dogs to suffer from “autoimmune diseases”, including Canine Lupus, Addison’s disease, Rheumatoid Arthrtis, etc. Although the disease will not occur immediately, Untreated autoimmune diseases can be fatal!
When dogs get autoimmune diseases, some symptoms may worsen over time, but some may suddenly appear without warning. The following is a list of the main symptoms that can be observed in dogs based on the parts of the immune system that are easily attacked due to imbalanced immune systems. For your reference:
🐕Blood in urine or feces
🐕Bruising or spotting of skin
🐕Difficulty breathing or increased breathing rate
🐕Muscle and joint stiffness
🐕Swelling of limbs and abdomen
🐕swollen lymph nodes
🐕decreased appetite
🐕severe hair loss
🐕nosebleed
🐕fever
🐕lame
Of course, these symptoms are just the tip of the iceberg. It is recommended that Mao’s parents closely observe the dog’s daily condition. If there are any abnormalities, they can be judged by a professional veterinarian so that the dog can receive correct and immediate treatment!
(3) Causes of dog immune system disorders
In fact, there are many reasons for dog immune system disorders. In addition to “congenital inheritance” being one of the main causes, it can also be affected by “acquired factors”. Therefore, you can pay more attention to these details. The possible causes are as follows :
🐕bacterial infection
🐕UV exposure
🐕Too much pressure
🐕vaccines and drugs
🐕age aging
🐕Uneven diet
🐕allergy
The dog has an immune disorder! How to treat it?
Dogs suffering from autoimmune disorders are mainly caused by an overreaction of the immune system, so the purpose of treatment is to suppress the immune system. Prescription “immunosuppressive” drugs or high-dose “steroids” are usually used for treatment.
However, drugs can also have side effects, so veterinarians will evaluate different dogs’ conditions and disease types and tailor different treatments. Therefore, it is recommended that everyone consult a professional veterinarian to choose the most suitable treatment method for the dog!
How to improve dog immunity? 3 tips to protect your dog’s health!
Although veterinarians can provide professional treatment for dogs, as fur parents, if you still want to do your part for your own dogs who have low immunity and are prone to physical weakness, then here are some methods to enhance your dog’s immunity. Let’s take notes together!
(1) Adjust daily habits
1. Exercise regularly
Obesity will put great pressure on the immune system and make dogs prone to illness. It is recommended that you take your dogs to exercise and play regularly to help them lose weight. This will also help fight inflammation and prevent diseases.
2. Clean frequently
Dogs like to roll around and lick their hands, but it is also possible for bacteria to enter the body through these behaviors. Therefore, Mao Qima can often help dogs brush their teeth, bathe, and also clean dog toys, bowls and other utensils to reduce bacterial contact with dogs. opportunity.
3. Reduce dog stress
When a dog is stressed, the body will secrete stress hormones, but if the stress is too great, too much stress hormones can weaken the immune system. Therefore, avoid putting dogs in crowded and noisy environments. You can also relax dogs through petting and massaging, so that they can calm down and reduce stress.
(2) Eat a balanced diet
In addition to adjusting habits to help dogs stay away from bacteria and increase their resistance, the other thing is to take in a balanced diet of protein, healthy fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals and other elements, eat well and drink enough water to help Dogs maintain a healthy body.
However, because each dog’s physique and gastrointestinal absorption conditions are different, Maoqima can add suitable and appropriate amounts of ingredients into a balanced diet according to the situation to allow dogs to supplement relevant nutrients.
Here’s a list of the top 10 immune-boosting foods for dogs for your reference:
| Immunity Boosting Foods | Nutrients |
| Red Bell Pepper | Vitamin C |
| Green Cauliflower | Vitamin A C E, Minerals, Antioxidants, Fiber |
| Broccoli | Vitamin C, β carotene (antioxidant) |
| Turmeric | Curcumin |
| (Fire) Chicken | Vitamin B6, Protein |
| Shellfish | Zinc |
| Asparagus | Vitamin B, Selenium (antioxidant) |
| Kale | Folic acid, vitamin B9 |
| Liver | Vitamin D |
| Red meat (beef, pork, lamb, etc.) | Iron |
(3) Supplementary health products
If you want your dog to effectively replenish the nutrients required by their immune system, you can also choose immune health products and combine them with the above methods to take care of your dog’s health in an all-round way!
You can observe whether health products contain the following 3 nutrients:
Antioxidants: Help slow the aging process and reduce inflammation
Omega-3 (fish oil): can suppress inflammation caused by a compromised immune system
Probiotics: The dog’s immune system is closely related to the intestines. Maintaining a dog’s intestinal health can enhance immunity.