Case Study – Jett

Jett – 2-year-old Black Labrador Retriever, Neutered / Male Canine

Symptoms/Conditions:

• Jett was suffering from pruritus (itchy skin) and separation anxiety but was otherwise healthy.
• He had been treated for dysbiosis (an imbalance between the types of organisms present in an animals natural microflora in the gut).

Testing Highlights:

• Jet’s first IPL test results showed he had a borderline result with Secretory IgA . Secretory IgA is the first line of immune defense at the gut lining, meaning he has a bit of an issue with his intestinal immune protection. Elevated levels may show an increased immune reaction to inflammation, parasites, or food sensitivities.

Treatment/Follow up:

• Food / Toppers: medicinal mushrooms, colostrum, and raw goat’s milk were added to Jett’s diet 
• Stress management
• Retest in 6 months or sooner if symptoms return

IPL TEST Results: 12/17/2022

• Antigliadin-IgA
  Result: 307 ug/g – Normal
  Antigliadin IgA identifies an immune response to gluten. Your dog must be eating gluten to detect a response. If results are high or borderline check your dog’s diet for gluten and reduce intake.
  Ranges:
  Normal: <750 ug/g
  Borderline: 750-900 ug/g
  High: >900 ug/g

• Beta-glucuronidase
  Result: 1.71 ug/g- Normal
  Beta-glucuronidase is an enzyme produced by dogs and certain gut bacteria. High levels can be due to an imbalance of gut bacteria. It can also release toxins that have already gone through detoxification. Consider a probiotic supplement or snacks higher in fibers to support healthy gut bacteria, reduce toxin exposures.
  Ranges:
  Normal: < 4.5 ug/g
  Borderline: 4.5 – 8 ug/g
  High: >8 ug/g

• Calprotectin
  Result: 9.52 mcg/mg Normal
  Calprotectin is a sensitive marker of inflammation of the gut lining. Elevated levels may improve with anti-inflammatory dog-food, anti-inflammatory supplements, or other treatments. Retest in 3-6 months. Consult a veterinary professional if levels are very high and significant symptoms are present.
  Ranges:
  Normal: < 10 ug/g
  Borderline: 11-30 ug/g
  High: > 30 ug/g

• Pancreatic Elastase 1
  Result: 116.16 µg/g – Normal
  Pancreatic Elastase 1 is a digestive enzyme, and low levels can identify impaired digestion. Dogs who don’t secrete enough digestive enzymes may not fully digest food. Consult a veterinary professional for further testing if levels are very low and symptoms such as weight loss and diarrhea are present.
  Ranges:
  Normal: > 20 ug/g
  Borderline: 10-20 ug/g
  Low: < 10 ug/g

• Secretary IgA
  Result: 294.7 ug/g – Borderline
  Secretory IgA is the first line of immune defense at the gut lining. It is a marker of intestinal immune protection, and intestinal maturity in young dogs. Elevated levels may show an increased immune reaction to inflammation, parasites, or food sensitivities (check gluten), and may benefit from a grain free or hypoallergenic dog food, or probiotics. Low levels may identify an impaired immune response, consider immune supporting supplements, probiotic or prebiotics, or a change in dog food.
  Ranges:
  Low: < 90 ug/g
  Normal: 90-250 ug/g
  Borderline: 251-300 ug/g
  High > 300 ug/g
  

• Zonulin
  Result: 1.26 ug/g – Normal
  Zonulin acts like a glue to keep intestinal cells bound together. When it is high it can mean that cells aren’t tightly together, referred to as Leaky Gut Syndrome (LGS). If results are high consider probiotics, a change in diet such as removing gluten if antigliadin IgA is high or a human grade dog-food, minimizing stress.
  Ranges:
  Normal: < 9 ug/g
  Borderline: 9-10 ug/g
  High: > 10 ug/g