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Viral Infections & Dogs

Bernie’s Perfect Poop helps dogs fight viral infections

Experts agree. The best way to help your dogs fight viral infection is to help them maintain good health through preventative care, adequate exercise, proper sleep and proper nutrition. Bernie’s can help fight viral infection by helping boost nutrient absorption and improving dog gut health.

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  • High-quality fiber can help your dog fight viral infections because it aids in proper digestion. Fiber keeps food going through your dog’s digestive system at a rate that allows the nutrients you feed your dog to be properly absorbed. When your dog can get full nutrition from high-quality food, they’re better prepared to fend off and fight against viral infection.
  • Bernie’s Perfect Poop also combines prebiotics and probiotics to balance your dog’s gut microbiome. Research continues to show that healthy gut flora not only prevents virus contraction, but helps lessen the severity and impact as well. Bernie’s prebiotics and probiotics encourage optimal dog gut health to keep your dog’s gut in shape and digestive health strong. Strong digestive health means good gut microbiomes, and better microbiomes fight viral infection.
  • Every cell of your dog’s body needs nutrients. If your dog is not getting enough nutrition from his food, he may have conflicting signals going on in his gut. The blend of enzymes in Bernie’s encourages efficient nutrient absorption and strengthens your dog’s immune system for maximum performance. Food that’s broken down efficiently can be absorbed efficiently and that leads to a healthier gut. A healthier gut is key to treating and preventing viruses in dogs.
  • Bernie’s Perfect Poop is a 4-in-1 combination of fiber, prebiotics, probiotics, and enzymes. Bernie’s helps bring optimal gut health to your dog, and this means their overall health is in tip-top shape too. Good overall health starts in the gut, and Bernie’s is the best way to make sure your dog’s gut health is the best it can be.
Learn more about Bernie's

4.4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 16,055+ reviews

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What other pet parents say

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I was apprehensive about ordering this supplement but then I thought I would take a chance. The bag is actually larger than I thought. First surprise. My dog had no problem with the new addition in her dog food which is a plus and second surprise. The supplement has helped my dog defecate – greatest surprise. She doesn’t strain, keeps her regular and both she and I are happy

– Charrise L.

 

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What do dog viruses look like and what are the signs?

It may be news that your dog can get viruses, but it’s true; he can contract viruses and they range in severity. There are many different viruses dogs can and do frequently get: from parvovirus and rabies to astrovirus and coronavirus (canine). They can also get canine influenzas–there are two common strains. The H3N8 strain started in horses but jumped from horses to dogs in 2004. The H3N2 strain originated in Asia, and researchers believe it originally was in birds and jumped to dogs. In 2015 and 2016, widespread outbreaks of the H3N2 strain of canine influenza affected many dogs, and annually, that continues to become more significant.

Some viruses may be like mild colds (some canine coronavirus and canine rotavirus) and others may lead to death if not treated successfully (parvo) or death, despite treatment (rabies).

It IS important to note that canine coronavirus is NOT the same coronavirus as SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19, and cases of dogs contracting SARS-CoV-2 are rare.

The signs of most viruses in dogs look much like the signs that humans show when they’re fighting a virus:

  • Diarrhea
  • Vomiting
  • Mucus in poop
  • Runny eyes
  • Fever
  • Lethargy
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Coughing (both moist and dry)
  • Sneezing
  • Nasal discharge
  • Rash
  • Lack of appetite

Causes of viruses in dogs

Viruses in dogs act much in the same way viruses in humans do. Generally speaking, your dog will catch a virus when he comes into direct contact with an infected animal or an infected object/source (water dish, etc.) Many virus strains are zoonotic, which means they can be transferred between humans and animals, but it’s uncommon for humans to contract viruses from their dogs. In some instances, with viruses like rabies, an infected dog can transfer to humans, but for the most part, while dogs do get viruses, they are typically canine strains and human transference isn’t common.

Viruses enter your dog’s body like they do yours and attack your dog’s immune system. Viruses can affect your dog’s entire body–their limbs, brain, vital organs and more. When your dog’s immune system is robust, they are less prone to viral infection, and when they are suffering from a viral infection, boosting your dog’s immune system is a recommended treatment.

Some viruses need confirmation from blood tests, but some, like rabies, cannot be diagnosed without the dog passing and having tissue from his brain analyzed for infection.

Causes of dog viruses Can Perfect Poop help?
Weak immune system Yes
Poor nutrient absorption Yes
Poor digestion Yes
Weak gut flora Yes
Poor sleep habits Yes
Poor hygiene
Contact with infected creature/object
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If your dog exhibits signs of viruses that continue for more than 24-48 hours or seem to get worse with regard to vomiting, diarrhea, or irritability, you should consult your vet. There’s a big difference between the treatment for a canine coronavirus and parvovirus, and your vet must be sure about what you’re dealing with.

 

More information about viral infections in dogs

Dogs and humans share many common traits, and the impact of good gut health is one of the most similar. Good dog gut health is the key to your dog being his healthiest and happiest and fending off viral infection in dogs. If a virus attacks your dog’s body, his immune system is his defense. Stronger immune systems begin with healthy guts, and healthier guts come from good nutrient absorption and high-quality fiber regulating their digestive tract. Good sleep and plenty of water also help prevent viruses from developing, and fending the severity off should your dog contract a virus.

Fiber may help battle virus in dogs

A high-quality fiber is the key to keeping your dog’s digestive tract clean and healthy. It also lends itself to keeping your dog’s microbiome healthy and that means a stronger, more effective immune system in your dog. When your dog has enough fiber helping balance his digestive tract, he’s also able to absorb more nutrients from the food you give him. This better nutrient absorption will strengthen his immune system and prepare him to battle oncoming virus.

A balanced gut happens when you supplement with a premium fiber like that found in Bernie’s Perfect Poop. Bernie’s uses Miscanthus grass. It’s a healthier alternative to other cheap fiber fillers some supplements use, and is an all-natural, non-GMO, grain-free, gluten-free fiber that is sustainably grown. It’s grown without herbicides or pesticides and is good for the planet and for our dogs. It’s also incredible for their gut health.

Prebiotics and probiotics may help your dog battle virus

Prebiotics and probiotics are what make up good dog gut health. Prebiotics and probiotics balance out your dog’s digestive tract bacteria and microbiome. They’re the warriors in your dog’s body’s ‘second brain,’ and they are the front-line defense to any virus that should get into your dog’s system.

Probiotics are the good bacteria in your dog’s gut. Adding that good bacteria through supplementation limits the growth and effects of harmful bacteria. When the good bacteria in your dog’s gut get the proper nutrition, they multiply and create a healthy environment. It’s this healthy and thriving microbiome that will help best prepare your dog to not only ward off viral infection, but to be an effective treatment should your dog contract a virus.

Studies show that supplemental probiotics can help ward off viral infections like rotavirus and more. That’s because good guts with healthy flora can effectively activate and mobilize the immune system to fight.

The prebiotic in Bernie’s is Inulin. Inulin acts as a fertilizer to feed the probiotics in your dog’s lower digestive tract. It makes sure that the good bacteria in your dog’s gut continue to grow and thrive, and fight off any virus that may attack your dog’s immune system. An ounce of prevention is indeed worth a pound of cure when it comes to having a strong immune system that’s fueled by a healthy dog microbiome.

Enzymes may help your dog fight viral infection

Digestive enzymes are what break the food you feed your dog down and allows them to absorb nutrients efficiently. Proper nutrient absorption is what allows your dog’s immune system to be effective in battling viruses that may attack. A healthy immune system begins with the appropriate nutrition, and the best dog-food in the world doesn’t make a difference if your dog isn’t breaking the nutrients down for maximum absorption. The quality enzymes in Bernie’s encourage efficient nutrient absorption and strengthen your dog’s immune system for maximum performance.

 

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Other ways to help

  • Keep your dog away from infected animals
  • Wash dog food/water bowls regularly
  • Ensure your dog is properly hydrated
  • Reduce anxiety in your dog
  • Stay up-to-date with veterinarian care
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Additional reading

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Related terms

  • Rotavirus
  • Canine coronavirus
  • Parvovirus
  • Rabies
  • Canine influenza
  • Adenovirus
  • Astrovirus
  • Louping
  • Encephalitis
  • Poxvirus
  • Papillomatosis
  • Distemper
  • Infectious canine hepatitis