[BellaWella]

is there a thread on colostrum b/c I can't seem to find it....... I would like to know exactly what it is...I read that it helps improve the immune system. The problem when searching online with google is that one site say this and the next site will say somthing total opposite, so I trust the experts on this site and know you never will intentionally harm your dogs .....so my questions are.......


What exactly is it and what does it do?

Can I give it to my 4 month puppy that has no known health issues thus far?

Can I give it to my puppy when I am giving coconut oil?

Can I give it to her daily like I do with coconut oil?

If this really helps improve the immune system I would like to start giving it to my puppy now and maybe lower any chances of getting ill.

 

[Orla]

Colostrum is the first milk a puppy (or human baby, calf etc) will get from their mom - its for newborns and contains anti-bodies that will build up the new borns immune system.

 

[bellaratamaltese]

If it were me, I wouldn't give it - seems a little pointless. If I had a dog that was immuno-compromised, I MIGHT do more research on it and consider it, but just on a day to day basis, no!

 

[BellaWella]

so its just for newborns?? I am reading online that people are giving them to sick dogs, i read one where the dog was 13 years old and is getting it daily. Thats why I am so skeptical about reading things online b/c you just never know what is the truth....so is it true, just for newborns? maybe newborns and sick dogs?? not recommended for puppy that is healthy? I am so glad I found all of you!!!!

 

[bellaratamaltese]

so its just for newborns?? I am reading online that people are giving them to sick dogs, i read one where the dog was 13 years old and is getting it daily. Thats why I am so skeptical about reading things online b/c you just never know what is the truth....so is it true, just for newborns? maybe newborns and sick dogs?? not recommended for puppy that is healthy? I am so glad I found all of you!!!!

Honestly, this is the first time I've even heard of giving colostrum to anything but newborn pups (or humans, or cats, or whatever) I did a search on it, like you did and probably came upon the same articles. nothing I read though made me jump up and say 'Oh I need to start giving all my dogs this.' I go by the philosophy that "less is more" and so far it has worked.

If I had a sick dog, I would consider doing more research on it but just to randomly give to a perfectly healthy puppy, I wouldn't even consider it.

 

[uniquelovdolce]

colostrum is the first liquid that comes out of the breast before the milk comes in. its filled with antibodies. if ur baby is 4 mth old i have no idea why it would be given.

 

[Ladysmom]

I just posted about my experience in this thread. Is this what you were referring to?

http://spoiledmaltese.com/forum/52-maltese-health-behavior/105474-puppy-vaccinations-i-could-just-scream-7.html

Here is a great website for information on colostrum aka transfer factors. It will take you to many other links.

Transfer Factors And The Immune Response in Humans and Animals

This is the one I use. It is recommended by The Graet Dane Lady and guaranteed "first milk".

Colostrum

 

[totallytotontuffy]

Toto's internist recommended it after he had a hospital stay due to irritable bowel issues and problems with keeping his protein levels up. I given him 1/4 teaspoon daily per his internist's instructions. I would seek the advice of a veterinarian before randomly giving it.

 

[BellaWella]

no ladysmom I didnt see your post before I started this thread.. But I see lady is diabetic so that is your reason for using it.... I was reading sites outside of spoiledmaltese and people were giving them to healthy dogs, sick dogs not just newborns...

thanks for all the replies...I never been attached to anything or anybody before in my life, Isabella is my first and I want to keep her as healthy as I can so I am just researching researching researching.. This site has taught me so much and am learning more and more everyday... esp about vaccinations....thank you!!

 

[maltlovereileen]

Interesting... I had never heard of this before

 

[maltlovereileen]

I wonder Where they are getting this colostrum? Since it is produced by mother dogs, are they getting dogs pregnant to harvest this (and then what happens to the puppies?)

 

[Ladysmom]

no ladysmom I didnt see your post before I started this thread.. But I see lady is diabetic so that is your reason for using it.... I was reading sites outside of spoiledmaltese and people were giving them to healthy dogs, sick dogs not just newborns...

thanks for all the replies...I never been attached to anything or anybody before in my life, Isabella is my first and I want to keep her as healthy as I can so I am just researching researching researching.. This site has taught me so much and am learning more and more everyday... esp about vaccinations....thank you!!

Have you read Scared Poopless yet? The author recommends colostrum every day for healthy dogs.

BookScaredPoopless

Read through the links I posted above. Lots of information on the benefits of colostrum.

Since your puppy was sold at only eight weeks old, started her vaccinations too young, came with coccidia and has skin problems, I would definitely look into colostrum.

 

[maltlovereileen]

I am questioning where they get it at this point...not the benefits. Are the places selling it getting dogs pregnant in order to harvest this as a product and, if so, are they aborting the puppies? Where is this collostrum coming from that it can be sold on such a large scale? I've tried googling and can't find any info, but know in my heart that if it's natural dog first milk, dogs are producing it on a big enough level to be sold on the market? How? The thought makes me beyond sad...I hope I'm wrong

 

[Ladysmom]

I am questioning where they get it at this point...not the benefits. Are the places selling it getting dogs pregnant in order to harvest this as a product and, if so, are they aborting the puppies? Where is this collostrum coming from that it can be sold on such a large scale? I've tried googling and can't find any info, but know in my heart that if it's natural dog first milk, dogs are producing it on a big enough level to be sold on the market? How? The thought makes me beyond sad...I hope I'm wrong

Read the links I posted. It's bovine (cow) colostrum.

 

[maltlovereileen]

Read the links I posted. It's bovine (cow) colostrum.

WHEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:smscare2:

OK, next question... wouldn't goat's colostrum be better? They don't recommend feeding cow's milk to puppies but goat's milk is OK

???

 

[maltlovereileen]

Here's why I specifically question the bovine colustrum... I read that it says it isn't species specific, yet that's what they said to me when Echo needed a blood transfusion -cow's blood was supposed to be 'universal donor' blood. It, in fact, was not something easily accepted by a dog's body - she had a profound and very bad reaction to it. Given a 'do over' I would have passed on any blood transfusion unless is was dog to dog. However, apparently people have been giving the bovine colostrum to their dogs and it is having good effects. But bovine milk is bad for puppies. It's all very confusing to me...

 

[Ladysmom]

WHEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:smscare2:

OK, next question... wouldn't goat's colostrum be better? They don't recommend feeding cow's milk to puppies but goat's milk is OK

???

I honestly would be much better for you to read the links I posted first and see if your questions are answered.

 

[maltlovereileen]

Homework Marj? You are cruel HAHA!

 

[Ladysmom]

Homework Marj? You are cruel HAHA!

Yup! You have read the original article and all the articles linked to it to get an "A" on your homework!

Do you have Scared Poopless? Colostrum is discussed in there, but I can't remember in what depth. My copy is still packed from when I moved two years ago. :brownbag:

 

[bellaratamaltese]

I love this forum - learn something new every day!