Some holistic veterinarians will routinely give a homeopathic remedy either before or after vaccinating, whether the dog needs it or not. Other doctors choose to treat a dog homeopathically only if he has an adverse reaction to a vaccine.

Another veterinary option is to provide core vaccines only for puppies, or not to administer any vaccinations except for perhaps the rabies vaccine, which is legally required.

Vaccinosis

Many holistic practitioners believe that in addition to the problems in the immune system (hypothyroidism, inflammatory bowel disease, and lupus), overvaccination negatively affects the body's basic life force.

In the nineteenth century, J. Compton-Burnett, a homeopathic doctor in England, coined a term for this effect — vaccinosis, which leads to a wide range of diseases ranging from skin allergies and skin diseases to behavior changes. Homeopathic doctors prefer to give their patients homeopathic nosodes, or natural disease products.

Many holistic veterinarians do not agree on whether nosodes offer protection from disease.

Remedies After Vaccines

There are a few good homeopathic remedies that can be used as a preventive after a vaccine is given, such as sulphur, thuja, and silicea. Sulphur can be used for any skin eruptions, indigestion, and seizures.

Thuja is made from the foliage of a red cedar tree. First used by Native Americans and early European explorers to cure scurvy, thuja is rich in vitamin C. Some proponents claim it will aid digestion, ease depression or respiratory disturbances, and help alleviate exhaustion. Other homeopathic veterinarians believe thuja may not be effective because vaccine reactions vary so much.

Silicea stimulates cell metabolism and cell formation and protects the nerves. You can also use it for infections at the injection site, weakness in the rear legs, and chilliness. Other remedies include apis for hot, swollen injection areas, and ledum for cool swelling.