Boosting the immune system.. what to use?

I want to supplement my cat's diet with something to boost their immune system. they've been getting sick lately (pink eye, ringworm..) and I want to boost their system.

Any suggestions?

Interferon is the generally cited supplement to boost the immune system, but it is very expensive. I am no expert but I have used two things to boost the immune system, Transfer Factor and L-lysine. Both are inexpensoive and can be obtained on-line. Transfer Factor is processed from colostrum, the naturally produced 'first milk' that confers the mother's immunity to calves. I used it for six months in a case where a cat had been exposed to a house where two cats had died from FIP in a short space of time. There is of course no guarantee that it worked, but four years later there is no sign of any sickness. There is a human version and an animal version, but either can be used.
I give L-lysine to one of my cats with Herpes and it seems to have made a huge improvement in the number of flare-ups and eye infections. Again, no guarantees that it is the lysine that does it, but for me it has corresponded. The normal dosage for a cat is from 500-1000 mg daily, and it is impossible to overdose. There are a number of TCS members who use both these substances to help immune systems and boost general health. If you ask vets, opinion may be divided, but they are both harmless substances, so the only thing that may suffer is your wallet.

Thanks for the awesome response! I really appreciate it and it helps a lot

if anyone else has input, please put it in!

Just adding in on the L-Lysine. Perla has a Herpes virus flare-up going on right now. I am giving her 500 mg. Lysine am & pm. at the moment. I was worried about it looking like ringworm too as her ears are all red to now. BUT she was already tested for ringworm and it was negative. I have also heard of Transfer Factor but have not tried as of yet. Good luck and hope Monet is feeling better soon .

I would add that feeding the best food you can afford (and the cats will eat) is probably the most important factor with immunity. To me, that means no dry food and only high quality (ie no by-products, minimal plant matter, no chemical preservatives or added colouring) wet food. Minimizing stress is also a good idea, if possible. Using Transfer Factor is a great recommendation (I would use the Classic human version over the pet version though).

Just a word of caution with L-lysine: it does interfere with arginine (which is why it's effective against the herpes virus, which needs arginine to replicate), and since arginine is an essential amino acid for cats, too much L-lysine over the long-term may potentially cause an arginine deficiency. The recommended maintenance dose for L-lysine is about 250mg/day, as per the comments at this link: http://www.holisticat.com/uri.html

Supplements:

• L-Lysine* – 500mg for up to a week, then 250mg maintenance dose

*Unfortunately, cats that recover from the herpes and calici virus tend to become carriers and “shed” the virus throughout their life particularly in times of stress. If your cat has a flare-up of symptoms, 500mg of the amino acid L-Lysine works very effectively. Cats need the amino acid arginine, and since lysine and arginine compete with each other, do not exceed a maintenance dose of 250mg on a long-term basis.

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thanks Sugarcat

He's on Soulistic and Trader Joes.. the best food I can afford in my price range. He doesn't eat dry. Great advice, thanks!

I'm wondering if using a good probiotic would help too, like Proviable-DC?  My thinking is that if the intestines are freed up to work as well as possible, then all nutrients can be used by their little bodies, so they should be healthier.  I could be wrong (probably am), but then again, there might be some merit to it!!

Yep, I was going to recommend the Transfer Factor. It's cheaper if you buy the human, but use the cat recommended dose. I think a good probiotic is always a good idea (the best are the kind you get a health food store - have to be refrigerated :nod: Just plain acidophilus is good, but I buy acidophilus + bifidus, because that's what they sell there :lol3: ), and we also use the L-lysine!

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Hi all, I have found this thread so helpful, thank you all so much! I've been giving my cat Bruce L-Lysine for a couple of weeks and it has finally taken care of a herpes that just wouldn't go away with antibiotics. 

I have ordered transfer factor for cats and humans. I am still waiting for it since it's arriving from the States and I live in Europe. In case I receive the human TF first, does anyone know what the correct mg dosage is for an 8 pound cat? I think it's about 200 mg, but not too sure. I'd be grateful for your help.

Thanks again

brucemama said:

 
Hi all, I have found this thread so helpful, thank you all so much! I've been giving my cat Bruce L-Lysine for a couple of weeks and it has finally taken care of a herpes that just wouldn't go away with antibiotics. 

I have ordered transfer factor for cats and humans. I am still waiting for it since it's arriving from the States and I live in Europe. In case I receive the human TF first, does anyone know what the correct mg dosage is for an 8 pound cat? I think it's about 200 mg, but not too sure. I'd be grateful for your help.

Thanks again

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Maybe you can call the Transfer Factor folks and just ask them?  Let us know how it works, ok?  I'm very curious.

Can someone explain the transfer factor to me? Is it food or just a suppliment? I have a fiv positive kitty, trying to do everything I can to keep her healthy and happy!

Transfer Factor is a supplement, not a food.   Some people say it can enhance the immune system.  I've never actually tried it,but believe several people on this forum have at one time or another.   You can google it and even get a "hit" on wikipedia

Can you suggest how I would administer Lysine if my cat is fed only dry food?

Also, does anyone have any comments on the experience with "WYSONG" dry cat food.  

Give your kitty two wet food "treats" a day and mix in the lysine. You could also give it in plain meat baby food.  I know some have dissolved in water and syringed it into the kitty's mouth, but I prefer in wet food.

ldg said:

Yep, I was going to recommend the Transfer Factor. It's cheaper if you buy the human, but use the cat recommended dose. I think a good probiotic is always a good idea (the best are the kind you get a health food store - have to be refrigerated :nod: Just plain acidophilus is good, but I buy acidophilus + bifidus, because that's what they sell there :lol3: ), and we also use the L-lysine!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Can you tell me who makes the Transfer Factor? I found some listed on Amazon that says it is made by a company called 4Life, but they have more than one type of Transfer Factor so I'm not sure which is the best one to get for my cat. Thanks so much. My cat is has been chronically ill since I got her in December and I am desperate to find something to help her get stronger and stay well. Thanks for any advice.

Ibbygirl said:

Can you tell me who makes the Transfer Factor? I found some listed on Amazon that says it is made by a company called 4Life, but they have more than one type of Transfer Factor so I'm not sure which is the best one to get for my cat. Thanks so much. My cat is has been chronically ill since I got her in December and I am desperate to find something to help her get stronger and stay well. Thanks for any advice.

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We've used the human version of 4Life Transfer Factor Classic for our cat with FIV and FHV (as well as some other ongoing health issues), mostly because it has the fewest ingredients. And when you have a cat who is allergic to all sorts of stuff, we figured the simpler, the better.

I personally use now lysine powder. When she got sick I would give her this
Buy Colostrum Supplements | Sovereign Laboratories it's colostrum but it's lab certified and fresh. Buy the powder.

valentine319 said:

I personally use now lysine powder. When she got sick I would give her this
Buy Colostrum Supplements | Sovereign Laboratories it's colostrum but it's lab certified and fresh. Buy the powder.

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I'm so glad you mentioned the NOW l-lysine powder.

We're planning to order that next time instead of the Viralys we're been using for years. But I totally suck at math, and wasn't sure how to measure out a 250 mg. dose when a level 1/4 tsp. of the NOW brand equals 435 mg. of L-lysine.

1/8 tsp Lysine powder or you could make it a heaping 1/8 tsp if you want to be exact.