Questions for those that titer...

[cy1266]

I have a few questions for those people that choose to titer their dogs for parvo/distemper/rabies as opposed to vaccinate: how often do you titer them? Every year?

I had the boys titered for parvo/distemper and sent the samples in to Jean Dodds at HemoPet a few months ago. The results came back, and they are very protected. I thought HemoPet said I only have to titer test every 3 years...is this right? I would have thought every year, just to be safe. What does everyone else do?

Also, do you ever titer for rabies (those in the US)? I don't know if the rabies titer is acceptable here, although I don't really care so much about the legality, I'd rather titer than get them injected for something they don't need...what are your thoughts?

Thanks!
Carrie

[waldor]

http://www.caberfeidh.com/HHC.htm <--- This web site is a good read, and doing some "Googling" will help also. I have found a lot of information that way, and will continue to read up. I still have six months before I have to make the decision to titer or not for our puppy.

[frecklesmom]

I titer when vaccines are "due". I have titered for rabies-6yr.old rescue who had never had vaccine previous to "1" yr vaccine at 6-titered her for rabies at age 8 and she was completely protected.(Reason I titered then was that I was being queried as to why I hadn't had her in for "3" year vaccine at 7 yr.-all so bogus,i.e. no difference between the 1 & 3 yr vaccine)

Had emailed Dr. Schulz-involved with Rabies Challenge and this was his email back:

The antibody titers on both of your dogs are excellent (protective). If you send these same samples in the future (not more often than every 3 years), you need not be concerned about the titers for CPV-2 unless they fall to 20 or lower and don't worry about CDV unless it falls to 4 or lower R.D. Schultz

The CPV-2 is the Parvovirus HI Titer- Freckles ("due" for vaccine) was 160
The CDV is the Distemper Virus VN Titer-Freckles ("due" for vaccine) was 32

[Cathy T]

I titered every 3 years (twice now) and now will not titer anymore. At 6 and 7 years old my two will not be vaccinated again. I titered for rabies as well (not accepted in CA in place of vaccinations, did it for my own info) and both were protected. I will no longer vaccinate for rabies either. I sent my registration into the City, they wrote back and wanted updated proof of rabies, I didn't send it (didn't do it!!), they cashed my check.....we are licensed as far as I'm concerned. With my future dogs I will do the puppy shots, 1 year vaccine, titer at 4 and never vaccinate again.

Don't get my wrong....I'm not against vaccinating....I'm against "boostering". It serves no purpose. I am extremely firm on this and can't be convinced otherwise .

Waldor - good website and one I've marked to read further.

[cy1266]

Thanks everyone! I appreciate the responses. I'm glad to hear that others are titering every 3 years, which is what Hemopet told me to do. I'll probably titer for rabies at some point maybe when they're 5-6 years old.

Waldor, thanks for that website, it has a ton of good information!

Cathy, thank you for telling me what you do for your dogs and what you plan on doing in the future. I agree with you on boostering

Frecklesmom, thanks for the email from Dr. Schulz - it was very helpful.

Thanks everyone!

[Sabby]

So far their have been only a response from people living in America. Does anybody in the UK titer?

[Karen and Ruby]

What is titer?
Id like to know if it is an alternative solution to vacinating every year as Ruby finds injections very painful know her SM is progressing

Karen x

[WoodHaven]

What is titer?
Id like to know if it is an alternative solution to vacinating every year as Ruby finds injections very painful know her SM is progressing

Karen x

Titering is when they take a blood sample and a lab checks it for specific antibodies, basically proving adequate immunity. It can be quite expensive and vets tend to just push the boosters (which can mess up a dogs immune system).

According to the pharmaceutical companies, "only healthy dogs" should be vaccinated. It is usually printed right on the package.

[Karen and Ruby]

Titering is when they take a blood sample and a lab checks it for specific antibodies, basically proving adequate immunity. It can be quite expensive and vets tend to just push the boosters (which can mess up a dogs immune system).

According to the pharmaceutical companies, "only healthy dogs" should be vaccinated. It is usually printed right on the package.

Oh thanks- I supose either way it will cause discomfort whether its a blood sample taken or a vaccine. Only difference is the bloods taken from the neck (she has reacted really badly to this in the past).
I will ask the vet about it though, sugesting they take bloods from her leg instead)?

Karen

[Tania]

I will be titering when they both go for their mri scans so they wont be stressed.