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Practice Scenario
Meet JAX
A 12-week-old, male, purebred Jack Russell Terrier puppy
- Jax is presented at the clinic for physical examination and additional puppyhood vaccinations.
- Jax is the first puppy — and first dog — for this owner, who would like recommendations on feeding and caring for him.
- The owner is currently feeding a dry puppy food mixed with warm water, as recommended by the breeder who sold the puppy.
Puppy
Supporting the Puppy's Developing Immune System
Puppies are born with functional but immature immune systems. Specific nutrients can support growing puppies' immune systems and help enhance their immune response, helping them to fight disease or infection.
Key Messages
Antioxidant nutrients:
- Immune cells produce more free radicals (unstable molecules that can cause damage) than other cells and are vulnerable to injury and oxidative damage.
- Antioxidant nutrients, such as vitamin E, beta-carotene, vitamin C, lutein, flavonoids, zinc and selenium, may help to protect the immune cells from the damage of free radicals and help the developing immune system to respond optimally to vaccination.
Bovine colostrum:
- Purina research shows that feeding the bioactives and antibodies found in colostrum can provide immune benefits at any life stage.
- Studies show that adult dogs fed a diet with colostrum demonstrated a stronger and longer immune response to canine distemper virus vaccination, with a 50% increase in antibody levels after 6 months.
Probiotics:
- Probiotics are live microorganisms that can help to maintain an optimal balance of gut bacteria. Probiotics can promote healthier immune function and have been used for many years for the maintenance and restoration of healthy gut microflora in animals showing disturbances caused by changes in diet, stress and antibiotic therapy.
Prebiotics:
- Prebiotics are soluble fibers that serve as food for the beneficial gut bacteria, promoting their growth. Prebiotics also support the health of the gut itself. Prebiotics used in pet food include purified inulin, wheat aleurone, and chicory root.
"Nutrition and specific nutrients found in pet food can help support a puppy’s developing immune system and help them to get the most out of their vaccinations."
Related Tools and Content:
Nutrition and the Immune System
Good nutrition is essential to ensure a strong immune system throughout the life of cats and dogs. Age, disease or stress can all affect the immune system. Diet plays an important role to optimize immune function and ultimately strengthen the natural defense and immune response.
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6 min to 10 min
Supplements for Dogs and Cats
Pet supplements are increasingly popular as owners become more aware of the potential benefits.
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1 min to 5 min
Feeding Large and Giant Breed Puppies
Large and giant breed puppies should be fed to maintain a steady growth rate and a lean, healthy body condition.
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1 min to 5 min
Feeding Small and Toy Breed Puppies
Small and toy breed puppies should be fed small, frequent meals and fed to a lean, healthy body condition.
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1 min to 5 min
Additional Resources
Case, L. P., Daristotle, L., Hayek, M. G., & Raasch, M. F. (2011). Canine and feline nutrition (3rd ed.). Mosby. doi:10.1016/B978-0-323-06619-8.10025-8
Jean-Philippe, C. Beneficial effects of dietary colostrum supplementation in kittens, Nestlé Purina Scientific Update on Feline Nutrition, 4, 1–8.
Satyaraj, E., Reynolds, A., Pelker, R., Labuda, J., Zhang, P., & Sun, P. (2013). Supplementation of diets with bovine colostrum influences immune function in dogs. British Journal of Nutrition, 110(12), 2216–2221. doi:10.1017/S000711451300175X
Nestlé Purina Probiotic SF68 Studies:
Benyacoub, J., Czarnecki-Maulden, G. L., Cavadini, C., Sauthier, T., Anderson, R. E., Schiffrin, E. J., & von der Weid, T. (2003). Supplementation of food with Enterococcus faecium (SF68) stimulates immune functions in young dogs. Journal of Nutrition, 133(4), 1158–1162.
Bybee, S. N., Scorza, A. V., & Lappin, M. R. (2011). Effect of the probiotic Enterococcus faecium SF68 on presence of diarrhea in cats and dogs housed in an animal shelter. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 25(4), 856–60. doi:10.1111/j.1939-1676.2011.0738.x
Fenimore, A., Martin, L., & Lappin, M. R. (2017). Evaluation of metronidazole with and without Enterococcus faecium SF68 in shelter dogs with diarrhea. Topics in Companion Animal Medicine, 32(3), 100–103. doi:10.1053/j.tcam.2017.11.001
Lappin, M. R., Veir, J. K., Satyaraj, E., & Czarnecki-Maulden, G. L. (2009). Pilot study to evaluate the effect of oral supplementation of Enterococcus faecium SF68 on cats with latent feline herpesvirus 1. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 11:650–654.
Simpson, K. W., Rishniw, M., Bellosa, M., Liotta, J., Lucio, A., Baumgart, M., & Bowman, D. (2009). Influence of Enterococcus faecium SF68 probiotic on giardiasis in dogs. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 23(3):476–481. doi:10.1111/j.1939–1676.2009.0283.x
Torres-Henderson, C., Summers, S., Suchodolski, J., & Lappin, M. R. (2017). Effect of Enterococcus faecium strain SF68 on gastrointestinal signs and fecal microbiome in cats administered amoxicillin-clavulanate. Topics in Companion Animal Medicine, 32(3), 104–108. doi:10.1053/j.tcam.2017.11.002
Veir, J. K., Knorr, R., Cavadini, C., Sherrill, S. J., Benyacoub, J., Satyaraj, E., & Lappin, M. R. (2007). Effect of supplementation with Enterococcus faecium (SF68) on immune functions in cats. Veterinary Therapeutics, 8(4), 229–238.
Waldron, M., Kerr, W., Czarnecki-Maulden, G. L., & Davis, J. (2012). Supplementation with Enterococcus faecium SF68 Reduces Flatulence in Dogs. Presented at the International Scientific Congress of the European Society of Veterinary and Comparative Nutrition, Bydgoszcz, Poland.
Nestlé Purina Prebiotic Studies:
Patil, A. R., Czarnecki-Maulden, G., & Dowling, K. E. (2000). Effect of advances in age on fecal microflora of cats. Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology Journal, 14(4), A488.
Patil, A. R., Carrion, P. A., & Holmes, A. K. (2001). Effect of chicory supplementation on fecal microflora of cats. Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology Journal, 15(4), A288.
Czarnecki-Maulden, G. L. (2001). Microflora and fiber in the GI tract: Helping the good guys. Veterinary Forum, 18(9), 43–45.
Czarnecki-Maulden, G. (2000). The use of prebiotics in prepared pet food. Veterinary International, 2(1), 19–23.
Czarnecki-Maulden, G. L., & Russell, T. J. (2000a). Effect of chicory on fecal microflora in dogs fed soy-containing or soy-free diets. Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology Journal, 14(4), A488.
Czarnecki-Maulden, G. L., & Russell, T. J. (2000b). Effect of diet type on fecal microflora in dogs. Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology Journal, 14(4), A488.