TaraBear's Titer Tests

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I thought I would update you with the results of Tara's titer testing in case some of you have an interest in or questions about titer testing in lieu of vaccinations. Tara is the first dog that I am doing titer testing on instead of doing scheduled vaccinations for Parvo and Distemper.

So far she has had the following vaccinations for these two diseases:

1 Distemper/ Paro at 9 weeks

1 Parvo-12 weeks

1 Parvo-15 weeks

When she was due for her 1 year booster I had her titers tested instead and they were strong meaning her body was still producing  a large number of antibodies against those illnesses.

She is now 3 years old and I had her tested again last week.  I was pleased to find out that she is still showing strong immunity against the Parvo and Distemper viruses.

At this point I plan to have her titers tested again in 3 years.It is certainly raising questions in my mind about the frequency of vaccinations that are recommended for our pets.

[F, Calla & Luca]

The answers I believe are: The results would be within a week I think, Yes you'd haeve to get the shots and pay for them, Any vet can draw the blood I'd think, once a year should do.

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Thanks.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Jack only had to have the blood titer done every other year.

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

good to know

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Thank you Jennifer. I will try to answer your stupid questions but I am new to this too!

1.a. It took about a week to get the results of Tara's tests back from the lab.

1.b. In the case of the titers being below acceptable levels then it would probably be wise to vaccinate again. However here is some info about how long the vaccines have been found to last, and notice that most of the durations mentioned are minimum not maximum. This info is from Dr. Jean Dodds who is very much involved in the vaccination issues of companion animals (DOI=Duration of Immunity):

Dogs

The 2003 report of the AAHA Canine Vaccine Task Force indicated that the DOI following challenge studies in dogs was equal to or greater than 7 years for the three canine “core” vaccines against distemper virus (CDV), parvovirus (CPV-2) and adenovirus (hepatitis, CAV-1).

Challenge of immunity studies have shown that the minimum DOI of modified live virus (MLV) CDV vaccines are 7 and 5 years for the Rockborn and Onderstepoort strains of CDV, respectively. Challenge of immunity studies for CPV-2 vaccines have shown the minimum DOI with MLV CPV-2 vaccines to be 7 years. Challenge of immunity studies for CAV-1 have shown the minimum DOI with modified live CAV-2 vaccines to be 7 years. Based on serologic data for sterilizing immunity, the minimum DOI for CDV is 12-15 and 9 years, respectively, for the Rockborn and Onderstepoort strains of CDV; up to 10 years for CPV-2; and at least 9 years for CAV-1.

2, In my area there are vets that do the testing and vets that do not offer the service. It involves sending the blood sample out to certain labs that do this type of testing. Not all labs offer it.  That is why it takes a little longer to get the results.

2. b. Here is a link to some info about cats and vaccinations:

http://www.catinfo.org/?link=vaccines

Rabies in particular seems to be a dangerous vaccine for cats and they are more prone to developing cancers from the vaccine then are dogs.  This site does a good job of explaining it. Like I said, Amber is very low risk and I don't vaccine her at all but I do plan to get her a rabies shot since Oregon is being so nasty about rabies right now. I keep stalling though because I really don't want to do it!  Does he go outside?

3. How often you test is kind of up to you but I plan to test every 3 years now (see info above about duration). If I were vaccinating I would vaccinate every three years so that is kind of my gauge but I think some people wait longer between tests or don't test at all after a certain time period.  Some people stop vaccinating when their animals get older too because as their bodies/immune systems age the vaccines can be more of a challenge for them to handle.

[Jennifer and Jack]

I wanted to titer test every six months but my vet said that was not necessary . We do it once a year in between his birthday and gotcha day . Indie it a little early this year because he had a major Parvo exposure. He is going strong withnhismimmunity. As themlawmstands right now . Rabies is not an option to get tittered ....so he has to get that shot. I wishntheynwould take titers butntheynwont.

I just got Jack his kennel cough this month because he will be with my mom and in the event if an emergency and she needed to board.

[Jennifer and Jack]

I just did the same thing with Jacj, except,mew went on and gave Jim his one year shot. Jack is three and showing strong immunity against Parvo and Distemper too. I will continue to test him yearly because he is in high risk areas such as dog parks etc.

My bet told me more and more studies thatbshendidnt show me are linking over vaccination can lead to auto immune diseases. IDK. Imjust know titer testing is for me?

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Me too Jennifer. It is interesting to see how vets are handling the titer testing/vaccination issue so differently. Glad yours is so open to it!

[Jennifer and Jack]

Dang typing from my iPad while doing cot vest doesn't make me look like I know how to tpe

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

ha ha

[Louise Cyr]

Do you get certification that attests to the fact that the vaccine is till working? This would be necessary for crossing international borders as we do often living where we do. We cross into the states a couple times a week. Of course, if the puppy FINALLY gets here, he or she would accompany us, and would need documentation that his shots are up to date. How would that work?

[Jennifer and Jack]

All my vet will give me is a copy of the titer test...it's left up o me to explain to people who do not know!