Holistic Support during my dog's active infection

Healing Is More Than Finishing a Medicine Course

When your dog gets sick - tick fever, fungal infection, UTI, or worms — the first goal is to stop the infection.
Antibiotics, antifungals, and dewormers often save lives.
But the truth is: recovery doesn’t end when the medicine stops.

These drugs fight pathogens, but they also deplete nutrients, strain the liver and kidneys, and disrupt the gut - the core of your dog’s immune system.
If we don’t rebuild these systems, the body stays weak, and infections keep coming back.

This guide explains what happens inside the body during infection and how to support it through treatment, recovery, and long-term health.

Part I: The Needs of the Body While Fighting an Infection

A body fighting an infection, whether bacterial, viral, fungal, or parasitic, is under immense metabolic stress. Support must focus on energy, repair, and immune system function.

A. Core Nutritional Requirements

Increased Protein & Amino Acids: Necessary for creating new immune cells (antibodies, T-cells) and tissue repair. High-quality, digestible protein (e.g., lean cooked meats, eggs) is essential.
Increased B Vitamins: Crucial for energy production (metabolism) and stress management. B vitamins are rapidly depleted during illness.
Antioxidants (Vitamins C & E, Selenium): The immune response generates a lot of "free radicals" (oxidative stress). Antioxidants neutralize these, protecting vital organs and allowing the immune system to work efficiently.
Hydration and Electrolytes: Fever, vomiting, or diarrhea rapidly deplete fluids and essential minerals (sodium, potassium, chloride). Proper hydration is paramount for flushing toxins and supporting kidney function.

B. Immune and Gut Support (The First Line of Defense)

Beta-Glucans (from mushrooms/yeast): These are potent immune modulators, helping the immune system recognise and destroy pathogens without overreacting.
Probiotics (temporary, high-dose): While the body is fighting, a temporary boost of broad-spectrum probiotics can help maintain a balanced gut environment, which is home to 70-80% of the immune system.

What Happens Inside During an Infection

When infection strikes, every organ works harder to keep the body stable.

Liver: filters toxins and breaks down medication.
Kidneys: flush waste and maintain hydration.
Gut: loses good bacteria that regulate digestion and immunity.
Immune system: uses up vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to fight infection.

Even after your dog looks better, these systems are often tired and nutrient-depleted. That’s why many pets relapse weeks later.

PS: During illness, the goal isn’t “feeding more.” It’s feeding right light, nutrient-dense food that keeps the body’s focus on fighting, not digesting.