The Immune and Enteric Systems

Sue Howell, DVM

The Immune System

www.nobelprize.org 

• Identify potentially injurious substances• Distinguish self from non-self• Assess level of threat • Mount an appropriate response• Repair damage

• Body’s natural response to insult

• Vital to survival

• Meant to be turned on for a short time

Inflammation

Ingredients that support the immune system

http://vimeo.com/62369403

• Spanish black radish

• RNA

• Buckwheat leaf juice and seed

• L-glutamine

Adaptogens

(Eleutherococcus senticosus )  Ginseng (Withania somnifera )

Ashwaganda

Canine Immune SupportFeline Immune Support

Indications• General immune system

support• Colder climates or during

the fall/winter months• When kenneled or in a

shelter

Star

Star

• 6 year old F/S DSH• Chronic URI resolved with doxycycline,

hyperglobulinemia with polyclonal gammopathy diagnosed 1 year prior

• No follow up viral panel. No viral testing

History

• Severe crusting and ulceration of the ears, face, and forelimbs

• Lesions bleed easily when touched• Splenomegaly• Lethargy

Presentation

Star

• Negative skin scraping, 3+ cocci on skin cytology, woods light negative

• FIV positive• Hyperglobulinemia• Lymphopenia

Diagnostics

• Clavamox• Itraconazole pending fungal culture• Nutritional support for the immune system• Grain-free canned diet

Recommendation

Star

• Lesions were drying up and 50% resolved• More active• Fungal culture negative

Recheck (2 weeks)

• Continue Clavamox• Continue nutritional support for the

immune system

Recommendation

Star

• Skin lesions resolved• Spleen smaller and less nodular upon

palpation

Recheck (4 weeks)

• Continue nutritional support for the immune system

Recommendation

• No lesions• Active and glossy hair coat• Spleen unchanged• Owner is thrilled!

Recheck (6 weeks)

The Gastrointestinal System

• 70% of immune system• Enterocytes• Mucosal barrier• Gut flora • Enteric nervous system

Leaky Gut Syndrome

Source: www.ktcolgan.com  

Gut Flora

Biomedical Imaging Unit, Southampton General Hospital

• detoxifies some xenobiotics

• maintains the intraluminal environment

• dialogues with the immune tissues of the gut

• stimulates bone marrow

Behavior

Enteric Support Ingredients

Canine Enteric SupportFeline Enteric Support

Systems Supported

• Digestive system• Liver• Kidneys• Immune system• Endocrine system

Canine Enteric SupportFeline Enteric Support

Indications• General enteric support• Patients with increased

metabolic demand• Hepatic patients in need of

additional enteric support as indicated by ALT, alkaline phosphatase, bile acids studies, and enteric histopathology

• Patients with immune challenges

Lexi

History

• Pancreatitis 2 years ago• “Sensitive stomach” and

infrequent soft stool• 11/27/13 – diarrhea and

one episode of vomiting, suspected URI

• 12/3/13 – suspected pneumonia

• 12/31/13 – OSU consult• 1/1/14 – whipworms

diagnosed

LexiDiagnosisLymphangectasia with concomminent mild IBD

LexiMedications• Azothioprine, Tylan

powder, low dose aspirin, Prednisone, Vit B12

Nutritional support for• the immune system• the gastrointestinal

system• essential amino acids

Progress• 2/4/14 normal protein

levels, weaning off medications, continue nutritional support