Herxheimer Reaction

Dec 1

You’ve started your dog on a natural detox. You’re doing “everything right”—better food, a targeted supplement, maybe essential oils or homeopathy. And then suddenly, your dog seems worse. Yes, it sometimes gets worse before it gets better. And dog mamas everywhere get scared about this!

More itching. More discharge. A day of loose stool. Maybe even a flare of old symptoms.

It can feel like you’re failing your dog—when in reality, this could be the Herxheimer Reaction, also called a healing crisis.

Let’s break down what’s happening, why this occurs, and how to respond gently and supportively.

What Is the Herxheimer Reaction?

The Herxheimer Reaction—also known as a “Herx”—is a temporary and often uncomfortable response that can happen when the body begins releasing or killing off pathogens, toxins, or cellular waste faster than the elimination pathways can handle.

This concept originally came from human medicine, observed during the treatment of syphilis with antibiotics. It’s now commonly discussed in holistic health circles related to:

Detox protocols
Parasite cleansing
Yeast die-off
Immune modulation
Deep energetic or homeopathic healing work

In dogs, it may appear when we start:

A raw or fresh food diet
A detox protocol (such as for mold, heavy metals, or glyphosate)
Functional mushrooms, binders, or anti-parasitic herbs
Homeopathy (especially constitutional remedies)
Essential oil protocols like Raindrop or lymphatic massage

What Does a Herx Look Like in Dogs?

Signs can vary, but often include:

Temporary increase in itching or skin flares
Loose stool or mucousy poop
A brief fever or feeling warm to the touch
Excessive eye discharge or ear gunk
Tiredness, clinginess, or restlessness
Reappearance of old issues (from years ago)

Think of it like the body revisiting old “chapters” to finish healing them—especially with homeopathy or energetic therapies.

Is the Herx Reaction Dangerous?

Usually, no—it’s simply a sign that the body is eliminating more than usual and needs a little extra help.

But it is important to distinguish a healing crisis from a true adverse reaction or toxicity. That’s why working with a trained holistic practitioner is key—especially when using essential oils, homeopathics, or detox tools with strong effects.

What Is Hering’s Law of Cure?

This is an idea from homeopathy and natural medicine that helps us understand how true healing unfolds:

From inside out
From top to bottom
From more vital organs to less vital
In reverse order of original symptom appearance

So if your dog’s skin flares after resolving a deeper chronic condition like digestive inflammation or joint stiffness, that might be exactly what the body needs to do—eliminate toxins through the skin, one of its primary detox organs.

Read More on Hering’s Law of Cures

How to Support Your Dog Through a Healing Crisis

Here are simple steps to help your dog ride the wave—safely and comfortably:

Slow down or pause your detox protocol if symptoms are intense. Don’t rush.
Support detox pathways —ensure liver, kidney, and lymphatic drainage are supported. Think gentle herbs, clean hydration, and movement.
Add binders if you’re killing off yeast or parasites—binders help mop up toxins and reduce reactions.
Increase rest and reduce stress—give your dog a quiet space to recover.
Lymphatic support like Raindrop Technique, massage, and red light therapy can help move things along.
Hydration with minerals —especially if loose stool or mucus is present. Mineral balancing is key.

Why I Take a Slow-Gentle-Supportive Approach

I’ve seen dogs spiral into overwhelming reactions when detox is done too aggressively. Especially for senior dogs, sensitive constitutions, or those with chronic illness, less is more.

Every dog is different—some breeze through a cleanse, others need layers of support and careful timing. Hering’s Law reminds us that symptoms can return as part of the resolution—not failure.

Detox, healing, and transformation in the body aren’t always clean or quiet. And in dogs, who can’t tell us what they’re feeling, it takes extra care to observe, adjust, and trust the process — slowly.

Want to go deeper with support for your dog through all life stages? Reach out or Join me on Facebook, or join my members community.

Statements in this blog have not been evaluated by the FDA. Educational content only. Not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please do your own additional research, consult your vet as needed.

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Dana Brigman