3 Supplements Your Pitbull Puppy MUST Have To Promote A Lifetime Of Health

By Dr. Candy Akers

My team mate, Angel Marie, is right on target when she describes the need for additional immune support in her article about Blue Fawn Pitbull puppies. Read more about Blue Fawn Pitbulls HERE. Experts don’t know why Pitbulls are more likely to develop diseases like Parvovirus and Demodectic Mange. But veterinarians and other dog experts all see these trends. 

After many years of rescuing, fostering, living, and loving Pitbulls - I have found the solution. I’ve tried all sorts of products, tried different foods, strong medications, shampoos, home remedies and everything in between. Pitbull puppies can flourish with optimal health if their immune system is given potent natural support.

I’m going to do a brief overview of the holistic supplements that work best in Pitbull puppies to keep them abundantly healthy.

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Standard Process Canine Immune System Support

Pitbull puppies should be started on Canine Immune Support as soon as possible. This supplement is made from real superfoods. This means that all of the ingredients are 100% natural. This supplement provides vitamins in their full natural spectrum. For example, it contains a wide spectrum of B vitamins, as found naturally, in the beef liver ingredient. No synthetic chemicals which are made in a laboratory. 

Canine Immune Support supplies minerals like calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium which are required for strong bone growth AND a strong immune system. The supplement is easy to give. It comes as a powder and is just sprinkled on each meal. The supplement brings palatability to a new level. It’s made of yummy plants and animal products, so puppies want to eat it.

You can grab Standard Process Canine Immune Support on this part of my website. No exam or consult required.

Directions for using Canine Immune Support For Puppies:

Start by sprinkling 1/8th tsp of the powder on each meal. Do this for about a week, then increase to 1/4th tsp per meal and gradually taper up to the recommended maintenance dose which is written out on the bottle and changes as your puppy’s weight changes.

Canine Immune Support Supplement Can Significantly Help Your Puppy Fight:

  • Parvovirus
  • Canine coronavirus
  • Canine Influenza (flu)
  • Kennel cough 
  • Mycoplasma ( shelter crud ) 
  • Skin infections
  • Coccidia


Standard Process Immuplex

Immuplex is extremely valuable to all dogs. But it is especially helpful in young puppies and senior dogs.

This product is packed with natural sources of chromium, vitamin E, selenium, zinc, copper, and iron. It also supplies the much-needed vitamins like vitamin C, vitamin A, and vitamin B complex. These are minerals that we all need to be healthy. Unfortunately, they have been drastically reduced in our food by the practices of industrial farming. Our soil doesn’t have the same nutrients that it did 50 years ago.

You can grab Immuplex on this page of my website: Immuplex 

Directions: Immuplex comes in capsules because it was first targeted towards humans, but now many holistic veterinarians see how helpful it can be in pets. Start by opening the capsule, by pulling the two ends apart. Sprinkle 1/4th of a capsule on your puppy’s meal twice a day for about a week. After a week, increase the dose to ½ a capsule in each meal. If your puppy or young dog does come down with an illness like Mange or Parvo, double the dose and continue for 3-6 months.

Standard Process Immuplex is helpful for preventing or healing:

         - Puppy Warts

         - Kennel Cough

         - Intestinal worms

         - Coccidia

         - Skin mites

         - Small little cuts and abrasions during play

Dr. Candy's Pro Tip - "Puppy warts" look like pinkish to white little wart bumps that show up in a puppy's mouth. These growths are caused by Canine Papilloma Virus. They are also called "Canine Herpes" and are frequently spread at doggie day care facilities. Most cases are not too serious and resolve within a week or two when given immune system support.

Herbsmith Microflora Plus

A puppy’s immune system depends on the health of good bacteria in the digestive tract. The best general puppy probiotic is a product called Microflora Plus. It is made by Herbsmith and contains multiple strains of good bacteria, some digestive enzymes, pre-biotics, and herbs supportive of a well-functioning gastrointestinal system. Helpful herbs included in the product are ginger, licorice, and cinnamon.

You can find Herbsmith Microflora Plus HERE 

Directions: For average-sized pitbull puppies you should use about half of a capsule sprinkled on each meal. If your pup has received antibiotics or dealt with GI system issues you should increase this dose to 1 full capsule per meal, and give it for at least 30 days. 

Herbsmith Microflora Plus Can Be Extremely Helpful Against:

  • Digestive tract bacterial infections like Clostridium
  • Viruses like Parvovirus
  • Parasites like worms and giardia, coccidia
  • Overgrowth of yeast
  • Yeast can cause poor digestion, bloating, diarrhea, and severe gastrointestinal disease down the road like Leaky Gut Syndrome and pancreatitis

BONUS FOR MY WEB VISITORS:

Calcium Lactate

Bioavailable calcium is crucial to the operation of the immune system. If we think of a common item like a car- The supplements above make the engine bigger and faster….but Calcium Lactate is the fuel you have to put in the car’s engine. When a pet is stressed or sick, calcium sources from the bloodstream can become depleted. In this situation, your puppy’s body will try to pull calcium out of tissues such as bones and teeth. If your puppy’s mouth feels very hot, you should supplement this form of calcium.


You can grab a bottle of calcium lactate on my website HERE


( It is very important that the calcium is in this lactate form - other forms of calcium like calcium citrate or calcium carbonate are difficult to absorb by puppies. )

Directions: 


For puppies under 10 lbs - Give 1 tablet by mouth twice a day with meals

                 

 10 - 25 lbs - Give 1.5 tabs by mouth twice a day with meals


 > 25lbs - Give 2 tabs by mouth twice a day with meals


If your puppy is actively fighting an infection such as Demodectic Mange or Parvovirus you should administer them 3 times per day.  

Calcium lactate supports:

  • Bone growth
  • Cartilage formation
  • Joint health
  • Proper eye sight
  • Clearance of infections
  • Faster recovery from parvovirus and kennel cough

Using natural sources for helpful vitamins and minerals gives your puppy an advantage over those diseases. Whole-food-based supplements allow your puppy to have the support that nature intended. Nutrients are all provided in easy-to-absorb and use correct ratios. I hope these recommendations help your beautiful puppy stay healthy and enjoy many happy years with your family.
Cheers!
~ Dr. Candy

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Dr. Candy Akers

About the Author

Holistic Veterinarian, Veterinary Clinic Owner, Veterinary Medical Supervisory Board Leader, Certified Raw Dog Food Nutrition Specialist, and Author Dr. Candy completed her undergraduate studies at The University of Delaware and graduated veterinary school in 2009 from Oklahoma State University. In high school, she was drawn to wildlife rehabilitation. Wildlife rehab gave her unparalleled experience in animal healing in a field that has limited resources and a wide variety of conditions to treat. Before vet school, Dr. Akers spent two years working full time providing oil spill response for wildlife all over the country. Since graduating with her Degree of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) in 2009, Dr. Candy has specialized in companion animal nutrition. Extensive education in nutrition has made her a firm believer in species specific-biologically appropriate diets. One of her passions is educating pet parents about the natural alternatives that actually work. She brings the best of holistic health and conventional medicine together in a unique approach to pet health. This approach is often applied to chronic diseases, allergies, and autoimmune conditions. She started her own veterinary practice 9 years ago in Colorado. Overall, she has dedicated her entire life to improving the health and happiness of animals everywhere.