When my calico cat, Kinky, began to develop immunological problems, I wished I could have a do over. Kinky had been healthy for so long, that I took her well-being for granted, I never gave her immune system’s health a second thought. Eventually, I rushed her to the veterinarian, in a desperate attempt to rewrite history. To give her more time—to give me more time with her. It wasn’t until Kinky woke up in a puddle of urine, I knew something was wrong—in 16 years Kinky had never had an accident in the house. A friend, who was impressed with his interest in preventative care, had recommended Dr. McKenna to me. I hadn’t taken Kinky to him before because all she had ever seemed to need up until now was an annual physical and vaccines. I remembered Dr. McKenna and called his office immediately. Even though Kinky wasn’t already a patient, Dr. McKenna got her right in. He was a big man, with the gentleness of a lamb. He smiled when he saw Kinky’s had a crooked tail. She obviously didn’t get her name by running the streets looking for stray tomcats with strange habits. He listed a battery of lab tests that he wanted to run and asked me what kind of food she ate and how much time she spent outdoors. He listened to her heart, scratched her head and checked her eyes and ears. Since she was running a fever, they started her on antibiotics and sent me home with a directive to return to the clinic in the afternoon. I went home and looked up bladder infections in pets. Websites said, especially as animals get older, their immune systems sometimes fail and allow infections due to underlying health problems. Opportunistic fungi and bacteria can infect the animal. Other sources of immunity problems are genetics; viral, bacterial, or parasitic infections; cancers, malnutrition, drugs, toxins, pregnancy, lactation, and stress. I found out that the immune system is the work of specialized lymphatic cells called B cells and T cells. B cells are born from bone tissue and the spleen. T cells come from the thymus gland. B cells are circulating antibodies or immunoglobulins and T cells direct other parts of the body like lymph nodes, thymus, spleen, intestines, tonsils, and mucosa into action. There are proteins produced by T-cells called cytokines that provide a protective effect against tumors and other immunity or inflammatory stresses. Studies have shown that normal levels of zinc are important in supporting cytokines. Other nutritional factors that been found to be important in immunology are protein, selenium, vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine),linoleic acid, copper and magnesium. According to veterinarians: vitamin A deficiencies have been correlated with smaller thymus glands and spleens in experimental studies; β-Carotene (vitamin A) injected in lymphocytes stimulates killer cell activity; ascorbic acid (vitamin C) has been reported to have a corrective influence on the alteration of immunological functions that occurs during aging in rats; and vitamin E supplementation at high levels has been shown to enhance immune response and resistance to disease. Iron deficiencies can result in impaired phagocytic killing of bacteria, less response to lymphocyte stimulation, decreased T-cells, fewer natural killer cells associated with reduced interferon production. I sat there wishing I had known about all the problems a compromised immune system could cause before Kinky became ill. There were natural supplements that contained many of the micronutrients and vitamins that have been known to regulate immune system function. Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) alone contains copper, iron, selenium, magnesium, zinc and vitamins A,C,D,E, and Vitamin B1, B2, B5, B6, and B12. Echinacea is also believed to be an immunostimulator, according to a British study. Preparing to return to Dr. McKenna’s office, I had at least a dozen questions swirling through my brain. I didn’t know what I expected him to say, but I did feel much more prepared to deal with Kinky’s immune issues and I hoped that she was going to be able to come home today. I wasn’t ready to say good bye.
Natural herbal remedies Herbs have been used to treat animals effectively for thousands of years – long before anyone knew anything about viruses, bacteria, enzymes and chemical structures. What they did know was that certain herbs helped for specific conditions or were able to strengthen and protect livestock from illness. While there is no doubt that modern medicine has made huge strides and advances in health care, it is only recently that scientists have stopped their singular search for chemicals that kill bacteria and viruses and are starting to realize that boosting the immune system can allow the animal body to naturally fight off infectious agents - without the drawbacks of antibiotic therapy. Many herbs have proven results with respect to the immune system. Taraxacum officinalis (Dandelion) is a rich source of vitamins and minerals, including Vitamin A, D, C, various B Vitamins, iron, lecithin, silicon, potassium, magnesium, zinc and manganese. Echinacea purpurea is well known for its excellent benefits for immune functioning and for its antifungal, antiviral and antibacterial properties. Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) and Silybum marianum (Milk Thistle) are also beneficial, with Milk Thistle regarded as one of the most important herbal liver tonics and restoratives with the medical use of Milk Thistle traced back more than 2000 years! Scientific analysis of Milk Thistle shows that it contains a flavonoid complex called silymarin, which is a powerful anti-oxidant - largely responsible for the medical benefits of this herb. These herbs work as a tonic for the immune system and are often recommended to prevent and assist recovery from illness or infection
researcher Sheli Ellsworth Herbal Remedy for Pet Immune System Health and Wellness
Continue |
| Thank You for Visiting Purchase Remedies.com |