pet – Born To Be Wild

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Could Lyme protection be built on rabies vaccine?

The NIH has awarded a grant to immunobiologist Utpal Pal, a professor at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, who is exploring a way of using the rabies vaccine to stimulate protection against the bacterium that causes Lyme disease. Pal is working with Matthias Schnell, director of Thomas Jefferson University’s Jefferson Vaccine Center, who has studied the concept with other viral vaccines.

The University of Maryland is leading an initiative supported by a $3.5 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to develop a novel, next-generation Lyme disease vaccine.

The grant is funding the efforts of tick immunobiologist Utpal Pal, PhD, to adapt the rabies vaccination platform to stimulate production of antibodies against the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria responsible for Lyme disease.

Dr. Pal is a professor in the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine’s Department of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Maryland College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. He is partnering with Matthias Schnell, PhD, director of Thomas Jefferson University’s Jefferson Vaccine Center, which is known for the study and application of the rabies virus as a platform for vaccination, according to an Oct. 2 statement from the University of Maryland.

“We are using the rabies virus as a delivery platform to send in some vaccine candidates for Borrelia,” Dr. Pal explained. “For rabies, we can produce an inactivated virus that helps the body produce the antibodies needed to fight it. Since we can produce the rabies vaccine and antibody proteins safely, why not have this virus produce other types of proteins that can do something else, like fight Borrelia?”

Although proven by Dr. Schnell and colleagues to be effective for other viral vaccinations, this approach has not yet been explored for Borrelia and other tick-borne diseases.

Using proteins that Dr. Pal’s laboratory previously identified as vaccine candidates, Dr. Pal and his team hope to combine these proteins with the rabies virus to deliver long-lasting, safe, and effective immunity. Their work will include testing the four candidate proteins, along with three major types of rabies vaccine platforms that could be effective for Lyme disease.

Tips on healthy additives and applications.

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Apple cider vinegar may have application for pet health and should be explored more completely to verify its benefits and possible drawbacks in pet food formulations.

Lysine is an essential or indispensable amino acid. In other words, the dog and cat are unable to produce an adequate quantity to support their normal physiological functions and must therefore obtain it from the diet. If the diet is inadequate it can result in depressed intake, retarded growth and development, and graying of feathers and fur among various species.

L-carnitine is a supplemental amino acid (ingredient) commonly found in low-fat, “light” or so-called diet foods for both dogs and cats. For the most part, the body produces an adequate amount of carnitine (L-isomer metabolite) to fulfill its role in the conversion of fatty acids into usable energy.

Methionine is one of the 10-plus essential amino acids that are required by both the cat and dog.

Taurine One of the first reports in the literature regarding taurine was its isolation from ox bile in 1901; hence its name was derived from “Taurus” the bull. That’s why, among other reasons, today it is found associated with energy drinks like Red Bull, fueling the perception of strength and vitality.

Coconut meal could be a novel starch source in pet food diets for dogs and cats.

Corn additive has many critics, but there are some real positives to this classic pet food ingredient.

The recent dilated cardiomyopathy webinar, hosted by Petfood Industry, prompted great questions regarding grain-free diets for dogs.

Don’t panic yet about peas and potatoes in dog food diets. There is likely more to the canine dilated cardiomyopathy story than the current focus on only grain-free pet foods would suggest.

Rice is longstanding staple for calories in dog and cat diets. It has been a staple in pet food diets for decades and despite some minor controversies remains a high-quality supply of calories.

Wild rice could fit well in the drive for unique and different in a modern pet food.

Sprouted grains and malt, once a staple for brewing, are finding utility in pet foods.

Chia seed has a lot to offer as the next new ingredient option in pet food.

Sowing the seeds of change in dog and cat diets. Taking a nuanced look at the grains category could reveal new opportunities for pet food formulators.

Maltodextrins, a unique sugar for special pet food applications. Further research and exploration will be key to finding ways to best utilize this specialized ingredient.

Millet, An alternative ingredient in dog and cat food? With good protein quality and more fat than most grains, millet has the potential to serve as an ‘alternative’ ingredient in pet food.

Buckwheat, a viable grain-free pet food ingredient. In this era of grain-free, novel and exotic ingredient-containing foods, is there a nutritional or processing reason that buckwheat remains relatively obscure to the pet food market?

Alfalfa, a smart choice for dog and cat food. The use of alfalfa in some dog and cat foods has created questions with consumers – specifically, whether alfalfa is an ingredient that belongs in these foods. Unfortunately, there isn’t a compelling or definitive answer for the petfood company, veterinarian or pet owner.

Ancient grains for today’s petfood, Amaranth and quinoa. As more and more petfood brands strive for differentiation, the search for non-traditional ingredients intensifies. We have seen new meats and meals, tubers in many varieties and now legume seeds and beans becoming prominent.