How many of you are doing titers??

[Rottlva]

I've been thinking alot about environmental agents and how they are the likely reason for the upswing of cancers both in humans and dogs. I'd like to stop vaccinating and begin taking titers... and vaccinating if the levels look low.

I generally never kennel my dogs, our local training club accepts titers.

For those of you who show.... Are titers accepted???

Has anyone had any problems with the accuracy with titers?

Taking this a step further..... I would probably vaccinate against parvo in a young pup.... but how long does maternal immunity last??? When should pups really start recieving thier vaccines and how long do they really last?

Just a few thoughts. :D

[Homerhomer]

I titer.
No puppies here and I don't know the answers to your questions, but can tell you that finding kennel or a training class that accepts titers is a pain in a butt.

[Barbara Surplus]

What diet is/are your dog(s) on? Do you feel it's nutritious enough to build their immune systems to a level that you'd feel comfortable not vaccinating? You must view your dogs completely holistically if this is something you wish to do.

It would be a good idea to find a credible holistic veterinarian if you want to follow this route. They will give you the advice you need on the puppy vaccs.
Barbara

[poohbearsmom]

Each dog is different, as my vet explained - so, each dog needs to have it's levels checked - Just because one dog's titer levels are ok, doesn't mean all of them in the household's are.

For me, it's important to make sure my pups are vaccinated and covered for at least the first year, to build up the immunities...then after that (Deiter is 2 + now, Pooh 4.5yrs), I am thinkinhg about doing the titers. I am still researching, so I haven't made the commitment to go this route yet.

I am concerned, as many people are, about the dangers of overvaccination, and when my dogs do get their shots, I make sure it's in a different spot on the body each time, for whatever that is worth.

As far as Rabies goes, local laws will dictate when I give those shots....God forbid something happen, and I not have proof of current vac.

I agree about finding a Holistic Vet, or one well versed in the Titers.

Regarding showing, I've never been asked to produce my proof of vacs, but then again, there's never been an incident where I needed to. Can't answer that.

Don't know if this editorial was much help to you....

Regards - e

[joquendo]

I started titers this year - after going totally holistic. It is however (from my understanding) that you should vaccinate young pups - until their immune system is built up and becomes strong ( as with babies) - also old dogs whose immune system begins to deplete (unless the older dog has a strong immune system of course )... anything inbetween that - i.e. healthy adult dog - vaccinations every year are not necessary (apart from rabies which is state law) - only problem occurs when kennelling...

Titers are the way to go. Over vaccinating our dogs has contributed significantly to the increase in cancers etc....

I would see if you can find a good holisitc or homeopathic vet - they will be able to advice you.

Before I started taking my dogs to a holistic vet my regular vet told me they wouldn't recommend it... because it costs too much, and said I may as well just give them the shots rather than titering - as it works out cheaper -

[n2rotts]

I dont' do a lot of titers. Nor do I do any vaccinating after a brief puppy series, other than rabies as required by law. I vaccinate NO DOG after the age of 8 years, not for rabies or anything else.

This article has an excellent explanation of titers and how they work. Titers should be done within about 30 days of vaccination to determine if there has been a response to the vaccine. An animal that is TOTALLY IMMUNE to a pathogen may have almost NO titer level if it has not been exposed to that pathogen recently.

This article explains it better than I can.......

Adored Beast Veterinary Clinic Titer Article

I titer young dogs and puppies following final vaccines. I try to titer around 20 weeks of age so that the maternal antibodies are not interfering with the result.

Hope this is informative to you, and will show you why titering after you have determined a dog is immune to a viral pathogen is essentially a waste of time and money......

:D

[n2rotts]

For those of you who may not have the time to visit the website, here is a quote that explains titers and how they work.

From the Adored Beast Veterinary Clinic Website http://www.adoredbeast.com

The following quote, from Ron Schultz, Ph.D., and Tom Phillips, DVM, appeared in Current Veterinary Therapy XI in 1992 (This is a purely conventional textbook, and Drs. Schultz and Phillips are respected veterinary immunologists in the academic community):



A practice that was started many years ago and that lacks scientific validity or verification is annual revaccinations. Almost without exception there is no immunologic requirement for annual revaccination. Immunity to viruses persists for years or for the life of the animal. Successful vaccination to most bacterial pathogens produces an immunologic memory that remains for years, allowing an animal to develop a protective anamnestic (secondary) response when exposed to virulent organisms. Only the immune response to toxins requires boosters (e.g. tetanus toxin booster, in humans, is recommended once every 7-10 years), and no toxin vaccines are currently used for dogs and cats. Furthermore, revaccination with most viral vaccines fails to stimulate an anamnestic (secondary) response as a result of interference by existing antibody (similar to maternal antibody interference). The practice of annual vaccination in our opinion should be considered of questionable efficacy unless it is used as a mechanism to provide an annual physical examination or is required by law (i.e., certain states require annual revaccination for rabies).


In essence, Drs. Schultz and Phillips are stating that the only reasons for annual vaccination are legal (as with rabies vaccination) or as a means of manipulating guardians into bringing their companions for examinations (rather than simply recommending an examination). They also clearly state that booster vaccines provide no other benefit, including improved or added immunization. Although it has been some years since this was published, the veterinary community has made little headway toward following these recommendations. Some university experts now recommend vaccinations every three years, and other university clinics recommend titer testing to determine need. While both concepts are a step in the right direction, they still do not reflect the actual picture.

As the above quote indicates, immunologic memory lasts for years (usually for the life of the individual). This memory is not dependent upon titers, nor do titer levels always accurately indicate the immune status. A titer is a reflection of the quantity of circulating antibodies (immunoglobulins) to a given antigen (in this case, an organism). Cells in the body produce the antibody. These cells retain the ability to produce antibodies toward a given antigen for quite a long time, usually for life. Upon re-exposure, they can produce antibody within forty-eight hours. As a consequence of this capability, there is no need for the body to expend the energy needed to maintain circulating antibodies. A low or absent titer, therefore, does not mean the body is unprotected. The body may simply have cells ready to act, like firefighters playing cards until they are needed. When booster vaccines are administered, antibodies destroy the vaccine particles before they can augment the immunity, and nothing is accomplished.

[Barbara Surplus]

Very informative! Thank you. Will read the entire article when I have more time.
Barbara

[frontierrots]

one of the previous titer discussions here was http://www.rottweiler.net/forums/sho...ighlight=titer

[chivas]

After losing my most wonderful girl to osteosarcoma, I will only titer now after puppy vaccines. If my dogs fall below the safe titer levels, I may revaccinate depending on circumstances.
But since titering is just a simple blood test, doing it every so often isnt a big deal. Some people may say that it is a waste of money but after desperatly searching for a "cure" for my wonderful baby girl's cruel cancer. The extra cost doesnt mean a thing considering the life of my dog.
Kim
Chivas (11-15-91 to 8-29-02) Momma misses you so much, baby.
I love you, Chivas. Wait for me.