Inflammation and Immunity: Calprotectin and Secretory IgA – DOGS AND CATS

 

How to Help A Pet with Internal Inflammation 

Carol Bryant

 

You suspect your pet has internal inflammation, so now what? If your dog or cat experiences ongoing diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, or parasites, they likely have an inflamed gut. 

Pets can’t tell us when they don’t feel well, and sometimes there are outward signs. However, your dog or cat may also be suffering in silence. Pets tend to mask their pain, so pet parents must rely on observation and use the right tools for early detection and treatment.

In the past, this type of testing was only available in human medicine. Fortunately, a team of pet-loving scientists took notice and fixed that. Founded by scientists with over 100 years of functional, integrative medical testing experience, Innovative Pet Lab offers market testing previously only available in human diagnostics or veterinary research institutes. 

Here’s everything you need to know to test your pet’s gut to determine if inflammation is the cause of their tummy troubles (and why this matters).

Helping Your Pet with Internal Inflammation

No one wants to see their dog or cat suffer and not understand the cause. Just like humans, pets can have issues with inflammation or an overactive immune system, such as allergies, infections, or chronic diseases. 

Staying attuned to your pet’s normal baseline health is essential. When you know what normal looks like, it’s easier to act when something abnormal occurs. But what if your pet has no signs or symptoms? 

Identifying inflammation and immune system issues early allows for prompt treatment and recommendations, potentially preventing more serious health problems down the road. Because inflammation is the body’s natural response to infection or injury, it is important to identify it early.

Watching her senior dog suffer inspired  Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Betsy Redmond to help other pets through Innovative Pet Lab. For many years, Dr. Betsy’s dog, Linda, struggled with chronic gastric issues, leaving her feeling tired and unwell. Ironically, Linda’s symptoms mirrored those of the patients Dr. Betsy saw, where she worked with individuals with similar chronic gastric problems.

Dr. Betsy realized that if she could test Linda’s gut health using the same advanced methods employed by humans, she could identify the right diet, supplements, pharmaceuticals, and lifestyle changes to help Linda live a longer, healthier life. Linda lived to be 18 years young. 

 

Testing Your Pet’s Inflammation and Immunity 

It’s important to understand that approximately 70 percent of your pet’s immune system is in their gut. When something bothers your pet’s immune system, inflammation can occur. Most pet parents think of redness and swelling when they think of inflammation. However, there are other immune reactions you cannot see that can cause damage to your pet.

Innovative Pet Lab’s Inflammation and Immunity test kit measures two markers of your pet’s gut health–calprotectin and secretory IgA.

Calprotectin

Calprotectin is a sensitivity marker of inflammation in the pet’s gut lining. When the calprotectin level gets too high, it can lead to more serious health problems. 

Increased inflammation will lead to a high calprotectin level in your pet’s bloodstream. This means they don’t have a good level of healthy gut bacteria or were exposed to toxins, a poor diet, or something amiss in their lifestyle. 

You are likely familiar with a fecal sample at the veterinarian’s office. Unfortunately, a fecal test does not screen for calprotectin or our next measurement, secretory IgA. Veterinarians actually sell and use Innovative Pet Lab’s testing to help diagnose, manage, and treat their patients.

Boris, a 14-year-old cat, suffered from irritable bowel disease and other health issues. He had his gallbladder removed and was in stage 2 of kidney disease. His mom tested Boris’ calprotectin and secretory IgA. The elevated levels normalized over time thanks to the treatments suggested and working with her veterinarian. Read Boris’ case study.

Secretory IgA

Secretory IgA is “the first line of defense at the gut lining,” Dr. Betsy explains. “You can have it anywhere in the body where there’s mucous membranes.” 

Secretory IgA can become elevated due to various factors (e.g., food reactions, disease, and gut issues). It can also decrease due to skin issues, allergies, and autoimmunity. 

Gigi, a 3-½ Miniature Poodle, suffered from several anomalies, including itchy skin, ear issues, and an imbalanced gut. Gigi’s mom tested the dog with Innovative Pet Lab’s Comprehensive test, which includes measuring calprotectin.

The result showed elevated secretory IgA, a marker of intestinal inflammation. This means Gigi had an increased immune response. 

Gigi’s mom received general recommendations so she could work with her veterinarian to get the health issues under control. Read all about Gigi’s treatment and plan. 

How Innovative Pet Lab’s Testing Process Works

After ordering the Inflammation and Immunity test kit from the Innovative Pet Lab website, pet parents will receive a package in the mail. You’ll collect a small sample of your dog or cat’s poop, and send it back to the laboratory in a pre-paid envelope. 

Having performed this test on my dog, the process of collecting the poop is easy. Everything you need (including rubber gloves) is included. You’ll wait a short period of time for the results, which are sent directly to your email account with recommendations. 

Here’s a video to walk you through the process:

https://youtube.com/shorts/5j1iLYXyqDE?si=lYAE0oWZkI2f28YK

 

FAQs

We focus on test markers that are early indicators of disease and chronic conditions so pets
can enjoy the same quality and comfort of life as their human counterparts. Here are some
frequently asked questions we receive about the Inflammation and Immunity test for dogs and cats.

Why doesn’t my veterinarian do this test for me?
We work with many veterinarians nationwide who sell our test kits and utilize them in their
practices. We encourage pet parents to share test results with their veterinarian for further
guidance and treatment recommendations.

How often do I need to do this test?
If your pet’s test returns normal, we suggest retesting in a year unless there are symptoms. If
there are elevations in Calprotectin or Secretory IgA, we recommend resting for three after changes
have been made to monitor levels.

How long does it take to get my results?
We provide ongoing support while each test is being processed and deliver actionable results
within ten days, empowering pet parents and veterinarians to make informed decisions when
results are finalized.

Is the same test used for both dogs and cats?
Innovative Pet Lab’s Inflammation and Immunity test is designed for dogs and cats.

Where can I read testimonials and see a sample report?
Check out our Understanding Your Results page. 

What makes Innovative Pet Lab the best test available for Inflammation and Immunity?
We are the BEST and the ONLY test for Inflammation and Immunity available on the market.
Our team has over 100 combined years of laboratory experience on these specific biomarkers. 

What other tests does Innovative Pet Lab offer for pets?
Shop our entire collection of tests for dogs and cats (with more species to come) for:
Basic Gut Check
Digestion and Detox
Inflammation and Immunity
Comprehensive Gut Check for Dogs
Comprehensive Gut Check for Cats

 

Carol is the Immediate Past President of the Dog Writers Association of America and is well-known in the pet industry. She has appeared on television, radio shows, and podcasts, as well as in articles from CNN and Vetstreet to Dogster and Today.com. She is a copywriter, content marketer, and award-winning blogger who owns FidoseofReality.com and SmartDogCopy.com.