Transfer Factor

[Becky, Savannah, & Raleigh]

I apologize if this has every been brought up in discussion before, but I could not find it in this forum. I am wondering if anyone has experience or has every used a supplement/food topper called "Transfer Factor". My in-laws have a 9 year old golden retriever who was recently diagnosed with lymphoma, and they are trying anything possible to extend her life. She was diagnosed in June and they were told she prob wouldn't make it til the end of the year...she's still doing great, and even made a 12 hour car ride out to PA for thanksgiving this year. Apparently this "transfer factor" is an immune booster. I am wondering if this would be something that I should start giving to my Savannah as i'd obviously rather prevent a disease than treat it. Vannah is currently eating EVO red bites, and i top it with some other healthy yummies to get her to eat--i am trying to avoid grains. (She's very finicky)

I believe that the transfer factor also comes in supplement form for humans, but they do have a dog version. Any input would be greatly appreciated. After years of feeding Purina and other foods similar, my inlaws have switched to completely grain-free..(orijin kibble, topped with this transfer factor supplement) Sasha seems to be doing great and you'd never know she is sick...just wondering. any input would be greatly valued.

thanks,
becky and savannah

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Becky, I'm very sorry to hear about Sasha.
"Transfer Factor" appears to be another MLM scheme similar to NuVet vitamins and Life's Abundance dog food;in this case, the company is "4Life". Most of the information on the web is provided by the company and it's "distributors"; I have not yet been able to find any independent reviews on the product.
I was able to view the ingredients, though, and this is just a multivitamin & mineral supplement with some fatty acids, shitake mushroom extract and other plant extracts thrown in. Nothing any different than much cheaper vitamin & mineral supplements available all over.
The vitamin companies refer to 'immune boosters" to make you think they contain some special ingredient, but in fact they are referring to plain old vitamins A, C, and E. There is no proof that mushrooms or algae can cure or prevent anything, but even if they could, the miniscule amounts in this supplement wouldn't be enough to make a difference. Your in-laws are wasting their money on this product; due to the typical MLM compensation structure, it is much more expensive than a simple multi-vitamin supplement you can buy at the pet supply store, and no better. It will not cure Sasha's illness and it's extremely doubtful that it will extend her life. It cannot possibly prevent a serious illness like lymphoma, which I can assure you was not caused by diet. The EVO you are feeding your Savannah has all the vitamins & minerals she needs. Don't waste your money.
However, I don't know that I would say that to your in-laws. Cancer is very common in Golden Retrievers, and I would make sure they know that Sasha's illness is not their fault. If they can afford to spend twice as much as they have to on vitamins, (or more...one serving of this stuff costs about $6.50) it might be a blessing to let them believe they are doing something to help her. I would have them check with the vet to make sure the "Transfer Factor" ingredients do not conflict with any medications Sasha may be taking, and after that, I would maybe let them take some comfort from believing they are doing everything possible. You know them better than we do, obviously, but for them hope may be more important than money.
Don't you buy it, though.

[Becky, Savannah, & Raleigh]

Dear Karen,
Thank you so much for your insight. you are truly a wizard in pet nutrition, and I really really appreciate you taking the time to look up the information and report back. I have had the discussion with my in-laws about why they are giving it; they were recommended it by a specialty pet shop/nutrition center in Colorado. It just sounded too good to be true--i am in human medicine, and no "immune booster" or vitamin has the capacity to cure cancer that i'm aware of, so i'm sure that it's the same for dogs...i am just all about providing good preventive medicine for my babies now so they live good, long and healthy lives.

the good thing is that My in-laws are not really on a guilt trip as to what caused Sasha's cancer. They do, however, have a new insight to pet food and proper nutrition and have switched to the orijin, which i think is great. Sasha, just like our doods, is their baby and they want to do everything, even if remotely helpful , to try and make her last months good. they are certainly more than well-off and can afford it. I was leery about starting it, bc there are so many marketing scams and I really don't want to waste my money on it if it's little more than a vitamin.

Thank you so much, and have a happy new year!!!

becky and vanny

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks for the kind words, Becky, but I'm no wizard...just a former exercise physiologist with an interest in nutrition. (Although I did often have to tell some of my clients that I didn't have a wand!)
I get particularly disgusted with these companies that try to get rich from people's fears and lack of knowledge by promising miracles and using double-speak catch phrases. (You can be sure this store is getting commission for recommending this product. Your in-laws should also know that there is no degree program in North America for "canine nutritionists", lol.)
I had quite a few "distributors" of these kinds of supplements for humans approach me over the years and try to get me to sell their products to my clients; it's fun to question them about the stuff and find out that they themselves don't know what's in it, where it's made, or how it does what it's purported to do.
I tried to copy & paste their ingredient list here, but the site crashed my computer twice. But you can probably find it yourself. Trust me, it's a multivitamin/mineral supplement with three aminos added (don't like that either...bad idea to increase certain aminos without increasing the others proportionately) along with their "magic blend" of plant extracts, and some Omega 3,6, and 9 fatty acids from less preferred oil sources.
And a happy, healthy New Year to you, too!