K-9 Immunity™ is an orally administered Complementary Medicine (class Dietary Supplement in the United States) intended for daily use in adult dogs undergoing conventional therapy, to optimize immune system function. It consists of a heterogeneous mixture of multiple heteropolysaccharide moieties derived from several species of well-known medicinal mushrooms.

The primary types of heteropolysaccharides found in K-9 Immunity™ are different structural arrangements of long chain, high molecular weight, right-hand triple helix structure polysaccharides, primarily with 1-3 beta-linked main chain formation. [typified by Lentinan, PSK and PSP] The main chain compositions are primarily composed of d-glucose and d-mannose, with greater and lesser degrees of alpha and beta linked side chain branching. The side branches contain a number of different five and six carbon sugars such as arabinose, xylose, fucose, fructose, mannose and glucose, with and without attached polypeptides and proteins. These heteropolysaccharides and polysaccharide-protein [glycoprotein] complexes are hot water soluble and ethanol insoluble.

Each Red and White size '0' capsule contains 500 mg pure heteropolysaccharide extract, with no added binders, fillers, flow enhancers or time release agents.

 

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY
K-9 Immunity™ is a dietary supplement of considerable pharmacological potential. While the exact mechanisms of action are only partly understood, the main actions exhibited by the mushroom-derived polysaccharide and proteoglycan components appear to be activation and enhancement of various aspects of the innate and specific immune response [Host Mediated Immune Response]. The number and activity of T lymphocytes (T-cells), B lymphocytes (B-cells), macrophages and antigen presenting cells (APC) are stimulated and/or modulated. This immune system activation is thought to be accomplished by binding of the beta-glucans, proteoglycans and other heteropolysaccharides to a specific cellular receptor known as the complement receptor type 3 [or CR3] on the surface of the various immune cells.

 

CLINICAL STUDIES AND MANUFACTURERS OBSERVATION
K-9 Immunity™ has been used in over 10,000 canine cancer patients to date (Dec 2006) and the manufacturer’s observations have been overwhelmingly positive in regards to clinical outcome. While cancer is one of the most serious of all diseases for the medical and veterinary profession to face, clinical observation shows that most patients experience a greater Quality Of Life, longer remission status and overall greater effective response to other therapies when using K-9 Immunity™ compared to patients not receiving it.

There have been few proper, controlled studies conducted on canine cancers using the heteropolysaccharide class of immune modulators. However, there is a wealth of clinical data derived from trials using this class of compound as an adjunct to conventional therapy for treatment of cancer in humans. While this data does not transfer across species lines directly, it is believed by many researchers that most of the mechanisms of action in the development and remission of cancers are identical (or at least substantially similar) between humans and canines. If anything, canines seem to respond better to immunomodulation therapy than do humans.

 

INDICATIONS
K-9 Immunity™ is indicated as a daily supplement for use in adult dogs to help offset the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy, and for the avoidance of opportunistic infections associated with conventional cancer treatments. K-9 Immunity™ is used primarily as an adjunct to conventional chemo- and radiation therapy in canine patients undergoing treatment for cancer. This supplement can be used on a daily basis for long periods of time in otherwise healthy adult canine cancer patients, which can result in an overall lower incidence of treatment side effects and enhancement of quality of life parameters, through its well-proven immunomodulating effect.

 

CONTRAINDICATIONS
K-9 Immunity™ has no known contraindications in canines.

 

PRECAUTIONS
The use of K-9 Immunity™ has been shown to lower abnormally high blood sugar levels and appears to increase the efficacy of insulin and oral anti-diabetic drugs. Care should be used in diabetic canines, and the dosage of insulin or oral anti-diabetic drugs may need to be adjusted accordingly.

 

USE IN PREGNANCY AND LACTATION:
Safety and efficacy has not been evaluated in pregnancy or lactation or in puppies under 1 yr. age. Caution and careful observation should be used in these cases.

 

FOOD AND DRUG INTERACTIONS:
There are no known drug interactions besides those associated with increased insulin sensitivity in diabetic patients as noted above.

 

WARNINGS
K-9 Immunity™ is primarily used as a daily supplement in seriously ill canine patients; the caregivers should be counseled that immuno-modulation therapy alone may not be the best choice for treating their dog’s condition. Likewise, the attending veterinarian should realize that this supplement is intended to augment and enhance other therapeutic strategies, and K-9 Immunity™ is not intended as a stand alone therapy, except in those cases where there are no other appropriate treatment options available.

 

ADVERSE REACTIONS
There have been no adverse reactions noted with K-9 Immunity™. An allergic reaction is always possible with this and all other biologically active agents. If an allergic  reaction is suspected, stop the supplement immediately.

 

OVERDOSAGE
There have been no known incidences of overdosage of K-9 Immunity™ . The acute and chronic safety of this supplement has been tested at dosages up to 1000 times the daily recommended dosage and no incidence of toxicity has been noted. K-9 Immunity™ is well tolerated and non-toxic.

 

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

 

During active cancer therapy and 7 days pre/post surgically, 500 mg of K-9 Immunity™ per 10 lbs body weight per day, taken with meals is recommended. (one capsule per ten pounds per day)




As an adjunct to antibiotic therapy, 500 mg per 20 lbs body weight per day is indicated for the duration of the therapy plus an additional 1 week after antibiotic therapy has stopped.


For general immune support and avoidance of cancer recurrence after the patient is clear of all dog cancer signs, 500 mg per 20 lbs body weight per day of K-9 Immunity™ with meals is recommended.


A Transfer Factor product such as bovine colostrum or avian source Transfer Factor is recommended co-administered as an adjunct with the K-9 Immunity™, as this enhances the bioavalability [and thereby the effectiveness] of the heteropolysaccharide immune modulator compounds. The daily dosage may be administered once daily or divided into multiple doses with equal effectiveness.

 
HOW SUPPLIED
K-9 Immunity™ comes in bottles of 84, red and white colored capsules of 500 mg each.