Bovine Colostrum, Significantly Influence Immune Response in Dogs

Aim:
The study was conducted in two phases: pre-test (8 weeks) and test (40 weeks), with twenty-four dogs (mean age 2.5 years) randomized into two groups. In the ‘pretest’ phase, both groups were fed a nutritionally complete diet. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the immunomodulatory effect of dietary supplementation of BC in dogs.

Protocol:
In the ‘pretest’ phase, both groups were fed a nutritionally complete diet. At the end of the ‘pre-test’ phase, all dogs received a canine distemper virus (CDV) vaccine, and dogs in the ‘test group’ were switched to a diet supplemented with 0·1 % spray-dried BC. Response to the CDV vaccine was evaluated by measuring vaccine-specific plasma IgG levels. Gut-associated lymphoid tissue response was assessed by measuring faecal IgA levels. Gut microbiota were evaluated by the temporal temperature gel electrophoresis methodology

Results:

  • Dogs fed the BC-supplemented diet demonstrated a significantly higher vaccine response and higher levels of faecal IgA when compared with the control group.
  • Supplementing diets with BC also resulted in significantly increased gut microbiota diversity and stability in the test group.

Conclusions:
Diets supplemented with BC significantly influence immune response in dogs

Reference
Satyaraj E, et al. (2013) Supplementation of diets with bovine colostrum influences immune function in dogs. British Journal of Nutrition 1-6.