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Vaccinations in Dogs - A more natural, thoughtful way to look at it

If you’ve ever felt unsure about vaccinations… you’re not alone.


Most of us are simply told what to do.


Follow the schedule.

Come back for boosters.

Repeat each year.


But very few people are given the space to understand

what’s actually happening inside their dog’s body.

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🌿 Immunity starts long before any injection


One of the most beautiful parts of a puppy’s early life…


is something many people don’t even realise is happening.


👉 colostrum, the golden milk


In those first feeds from their mother,

puppies receive this incredibly rich, protective milk.


It’s full of:


  • antibodies

  • immune factors

  • and early protection against disease


It’s nature’s way of saying:


“you’re not on your own just yet”


And if puppies stay with their mother in those early weeks…


they continue to receive that support through her milk.


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🌿 Why this matters


Those maternal antibodies don’t disappear overnight.


They can stay in the system for a period of time, the protection can last up to 12 weeks old…


and during that window, they can actually influence how a puppy responds to vaccination.


In simple terms:


👉 if those antibodies are still active,

👉 they can interfere with how the vaccine is taken up by the body


Which is why timing becomes important. At 14-16 weeks the MDA's ( maternal derived anitbodies) have delpleated.


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🌿 A more considered approach


Because of this, some owners choose a more minimal and thoughtful route.


For example:


  • focusing on the one DHP core vaccination at 16 weeks

  • allowing time for maternal immunity to settle

  • and then checking that the puupy has got full immuntiy to the 3 diseases that it is vaccinated against


One way this can be done is through:


👉 titre testing


A simple blood test that shows whether your dog has developed immunity.


Most kennels and doggy day cares are accepting titre tests

as proof of protection.


Which means you’re not just repeating vaccinations out of routine…


you’re making decisions based on your individual dog.


A titre test is usually preformed after the one DHP core vaccine (16 weeks). the optimum timming for a titre test is at 20 weeks. This gives you, the vet and the dog care providers the saftey in knowing that you pup is fully protected.


On a personal note, i have only ever followed this protcol and do not repeat vacine or ever consider booster for the duration of the dogs life on the assumption that immunity should last a life time. Some interesting studies show that T-cells can lay dormant until re-actived by exposure to disease in the enviroment and this will jump into action when its called upon.



The real controversy is around the Leptospirosis Vaccine.  There are currently 2 different variants; Lepto (L2) and Lepto 4 (L4) covering 2 or 4 strains of the Lepto causing bacteria (there are over 250 strains of Lepto causing bacteria in the UK). The L4 and L2 vaccine has been linked to several adverse, life changing, sometimes fatal reactions in dogs. Please ensure you research this topic very carefully. Leptospirosis is treatable with antibiotics as it is bacterial not viral.

 

Please have a read of this interesting article

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🌿 Why some dogs react… and others don’t


This comes back to something I talk about often:


👉 susceptibility


Some dogs process vaccinations easily and move on.


Others may show subtle changes afterwards.


Because every dog’s system is different.


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🌿 Signs your dog may need a little extra support


Sometimes reactions are obvious.


But often they’re more subtle and show up over time:


  • skin flare-ups (itching, hotspots, rashes)

  • changes in behaviour (more anxious, more reactive)

  • digestive shifts

  • recurring ear or eye issues

  • not quite seeming like themselves


It’s not always dramatic…


but when you look back, the timing can make sense.


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🌿 Supporting your dog naturally


This is where your approach comes in.


Whether your dog has had vaccinations recently

or years ago…


you can gently support the system to process and rebalance.


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🌿 Homeopathic support after vaccinations


If your dog has recently been vaccinated —

or you’re noticing changes that seemed to follow on afterwards —


there are gentle ways we can support the body.


This isn’t about forcing anything…


just helping the system process and settle in its own time.


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🐾 Starting with drainage


Often, I like to begin by supporting the body’s natural detox pathways.


This is usually centred around the liver, which plays a key role in processing and clearing.


A gentle drainage or liver support blend might include things like:


  • Milk thistle

  • Dandelion (Taraxacum)

  • Chelidonium


These help the body:


  • process more efficiently

  • reduce overload

  • and create a clearer pathway before deeper remedies are introduced


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🐾 Nux vomica


This is often one of the first remedies to consider.


It’s particularly helpful when the system feels:


  • overloaded

  • sensitive

  • or a little out of balance after intervention


You might think of Nux vomica if your dog:


  • seems more irritable or reactive than usual

  • has digestive changes (looser stools, sensitivity to food)

  • feels unsettled after the vaccination

  • doesn’t quite seem like themselves


It works by gently helping the body process and reset.


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🐾 Thuja


Thuja is one of the main remedies associated with supporting the system after vaccinations.


It’s often considered when symptoms don’t fully resolve…

or when something seems to linger.


You might think of Thuja if your dog:


  • develops skin issues (lumps, bumps, irritation, recurring flare-ups)

  • shows increased sensitivity or reactivity

  • has symptoms that keep returning rather than clearing

  • seems subtly “changed” since vaccination


It works more deeply, helping the system rebalance after that stimulus.


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🌿 A gentle note


These are just a few examples.


There are many more remedies we can use depending on the individual dog.


And often, it’s not about one single remedy…


but understanding the whole picture.


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🌿 Diet and lifestyle matter too


A well-supported system is far more resilient.


What your dog eats and absorbs every day

plays a huge role in how they respond to everything else.


🌿 Read about the raw feeding diet here


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🌿 Bringing it all together


When you start to see the bigger picture…


you realise this isn’t about doing nothing.


And it’s not about doing everything.


It’s about doing what’s right for your dog.


With a bit more understanding…

and a bit more intention.


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🌿 If you’re unsure what’s right


If you’re feeling:


  • unsure about timing

  • wondering how your dog has responded

  • or noticing changes you can’t quite explain


This is exactly what I help with.


In an animal coaching session, we can gently look at:


  • your dog’s constitution

  • how their system is responding

  • and how to support them properly moving forward


 
 
 

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