Immune System Problem - Anyone Else?

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

The boys Vet left the practice while we were away this past summer and so today for Rooney's yearly - we actually had the owner Vet of the practice - wasn't sure what to expect but she was really nice and seemed very well informed.  Rooney of course is great, healthy and had his shots, Stuart of course came along as he loves to be weighed (67lbs) and it was Stuart that was the topic of conversation.  Dr. Gross (don't ya love that name?) had heard all about Stuart's puppy papilloma problems, head temors due to topic, allergic reaction to Trifexis and his bee sting and resulting anaphylaxis and near death.  The result of that conversation is that Stuar,t due to his puppy mill breeding has, in her opinion a serious immune system problem which given his history makes him a huge risk when given future vaccinations, she states that the reactions get more severe with each occurance.  We are going to go with the minimum to reduce his risk of reaction but for those vaccines that he must have - he now has to be pre medicated to reduce reaction and then spend the next 4 hours under observation as any medication can now be life threatening.  I love how serious they are taking this and how they are urging us to take every precation in all aspects of Stuart's life but it is also scary - it would be unbearable to kill my own sweet Stuart by giving him a vaccine.  Does anyone else have a dog in this situation?  It would help to have a buddy!!!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

I'm happy to see that they are on top of Stuarts health and will be watching this very carefully.  This would be very comforting to me if he were mine as I'm sure it is to you as well.  I would be loving that Vet!

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

I love your vet too...it's too bad that there are vaccines in the US that by law you have to give.  That is not the case here where you could titer for the basic vaccines and do the minimum under close watch.  There must be others who are in the same boat and I'm hoping you find some to share information with.

[Donna K & Quincy]

Jane, I'm sorry to hear this but I have to give kudos to your vet, she sounds wonderful.

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

Sounds like the owner-vet is a keeper. You might also want to talk to your vet about Titer testing (http://www.canine-epilepsy-guardian-angels.com/titer_test.htm). It could help prevent over vaccinating or reduce the need to vaccinate annually.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Wow, I'm so impressed by this Vet.  We are not in this situation, but I would feel incredibly comfortable knowing that all these precautions were being taken.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Jackdoodle, another genetic nightmare from a puppy mill, also has a "lousy" immune system, to quote one of his specialists. As you know, he has been diagnosed with two immune-mediated diseases. In his case, we have not had reactions to any vaccines or topicals, but I have also been very cautious about his getting anything since he was diagnosed with the Atopy in 2008. He gets blood titers instead of vaccinations. He does not get Lepto or Lyme vaccines, or anything that isn't absolutely necessary, which with titering is very little. A three year rabies shot. He gets bordatella intranasally, and separate from any other medications or vaccines. Same with his HW and flea preventatives...everything by itself, on a day when he isn't getting anything else. We used the prevents that have been around the longest and in his specialist's opinion, are safest because of that- Heartgard and Frontline.
I hope that Stuart never has another reaction to anything again!

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

I need to research the whole "titer" testing thing but when I asked her about that - she told me that in her opinion that titers (but she used a little bit different word, can't remember) was not a truely accurate estimate.  So she suggests we go with a 3 yr rabies and NO Lepto - ever.  Rooney has never had Lepto either at his breeder's suggestion but in Florida it is a problem so we are taking a risk. 

[Jennifer and Jack]

Titers are actually way more accurate then giving a shot and just assuming they are properly protected.  Jack has not had any shots since he was one year old.  I have his blood tested for titers against the disease he was vaccinated against. so far Jack's titer numbers are sky high and have not come down in two years now going on three.

What a titer test does is they draw blood. When you give a human or a dog a shot their immune system kicks in and makes antibodies..... (the stuff that fights off illness and protects you) 

If the antibody is present and in a high enough form that is the MOST accurate way to know if a dog is properly protected....

Somethings that can cause you not to make antibodies in humans and dogs are steroids... I don't make antibodies at all..so giving me a shot is useless because I am on too many steroids so I have been titer tested for every vaccine I had as a child to see if I am still good or not... 

I highly recommend titer testing. Jack will never get another shot apart from Rabies and Kennel cough again unless his titers come down to less then an acceptable range.... 

[Bonnie and Kona]

All I want to say is I love your vet. I am so impressed that they are paying attention and moving forward with caution. Hoping for the best for sweet Stuart.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Very scary Jane! Your vet sounds wonderful though and how comforting to know that she is diligent about his care and safety. I concur with others who have mentioned checking into titer testing on his vaccinations.  We have been testing titers on Tara since her puppy series and they have remained high for close to 4 years now (parvo and distemper) with no additional vaccinations.  Rabies titers can also be tested and in some states a vet can request a waiver from the rabies shot requirement if the dog is at risk from the vaccine. So by testing titers and getting a waiver you may be able to lengthen the time between rabies shots considerably yet still keep him safe as well.

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

I am going to do more research on the titer testing - it didn't seem like the Vet was convinced that they were totally accurate but I really think this might be the way to go.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Also, I have learned that dogs with these kinds of immune system problems have hypervigilant, overactive immune systems. You often see ads for products or certain types of diets in which they say "boosts the immune system." The last thing Stuart or JD needs is for their immune systems to be boosted, lol. They are already reacting violently to things that don't bother most other dogs. What they need is something that would turn their immune systems down a little, not up!