PET HEALTH|Gingival Flair

A gingival flare relates to a slim red line that occurs at the site on the gums where the gums join the enamel of the tooth. It is most easily seen by lifting up the upper gum of your dog or cat, and looking at the gum where it joins with the large canine tooth.

The flare will be very evident on the gums at that point where the gums join the teeth. Looking in the area of the canine tooth may be easier.

What does this gingival flare represent? It represents a deficiency in all antibody production in the mucous membranes, in the inner body, but is most easily visible in the mouth.

This red line [gingival flare], indicating a deficiency in the mucous membranes of the body, is referred to as IgA deficiency.  IgA, stands for immunoglobulin A.

What does this mucous membrane antibody do? When normally produced, it protects the various systems that rely on this protection to maintain good health.

Just what are the systems, in the body, that require this antibody to keep the system healthy?

These systems include the digestive system, which includes the mouth, stomach, small and large intestines plus the rectum. When there is an IgA deficiency in this system, you may see clinical signs that create gum infections with early loss of teeth, vomiting, diarrhea, food allergies, skin allergies, chronically inflamed anal glands and inflammatory bowel disease which occurs in both pets and people. There can also be a secondary loss of protection for the pancreas and the liver.

Another system that is not protected when there is an IgA deficiency, is the respiratory system. Commonly the pet will have an allergic post nasal drip and clinical signs may vary from snuffles to gagging, to vomiting mucous with yellow bile from the stomach, to chronic coughing, to asthma.

The urinary system may be another system hard hit by an IgA deficiency.

If your pet demonstrates a chronic kidney or bladder infection, first look for the gingival flare and if medications seem not to help, check the IgA levels.

The integumentary system (The bodily system consisting of the skin and its associated structures, such as the hair, nails, sweat glands, and sebaceous glands) is often involved. This IgA deficiency can allow a simple food to raise havoc with the skin. This havoc occurs in the skin of the ears, face, feet, and abdomen. Often a skin reaction will occur over the base of the tail which comes from an IgA imbalance and not from a FLEA ALLERGY DERMATITIS! The anal glands can also fill up prematurely and become a real health threat.

Fleas and ear mites may haunt these animals until the imbalance is identified and controlled.

If you think your pet may have an IgA deficiency, Please contact your health care professional to test for my endocrine immune imbalance.

The time has come to not only treat the effects, but to also identify the cause and control it so there will NOT be an effect.

For further information, please visit www.healthypetnetwork.org .

Sincerely,

Dr. Al Plechner
Michael Goldman
& the Healthy Pet Network Team