Titers?

[Rottnlove]

I am not sure I understand the difference between titers and vaccinations.

so please excuse my ignorance, but what exactly are titers?

I should know this by now!

[spoteet]

Titers are test done to check immunity levels and vaccinations are shots to build immunity :D

[sophie's-mom]

right!

And if you titers then the ANNUAL vacs aren't done.......right?

[spoteet]

Originally Posted by sophies-mom

right!

And if you titers then the ANNUAL vacs aren't done.......right?

If the titer shows adequate immunity, then vaccinations are not needed. Sajan's vaccines are due in April and I intend to have titers done first.

[Rottnlove]

Wow, I'm glad I posted this question.

Xena's vaccinations are now due and maybe we'll have titers done first. :)

Thanks!

[JoJo]

Not sure if this is true in all areas, but I was told that titers are more expensive then the shots themselves. I personally like the thought titering on my dogs then having all those shots given each year. The only thing about that is that when we board our dogs, the boarding kennel requires shot records and will not except titer records. So I'm caught between a rock and a hard place.

JoJo

[sophie's-mom]

Originally Posted by JoJo

the boarding kennel requires shot records and will not except titer records. So I'm caught between a rock and a hard place.

RIGHT, same here.




pish!!! (21 characters)

[Patty1231]

Originally Posted by sophies-mom

pish!!! (21 characters)

:D :D You have such a way with words, you always give me a giggle.

[Rottnlove]

Yeah that's a good point...I might need to board Xena for a week in August. I'm sure they'll need a record of them first.

[rottnelmo]

Originally Posted by JoJo

Not sure if this is true in all areas, but I was told that titers are more expensive then the shots themselves. I personally like the thought titering on my dogs then having all those shots given each year. The only thing about that is that when we board our dogs, the boarding kennel requires shot records and will not except titer records. So I'm caught between a rock and a hard place.

JoJo

I would double check with them, because the only shot that they absoluletly require at most kennels or training facilities is Bordatella (sp). These days most places will accept titer levels. I, personally, will not vacinate just for the sake of vacinating...so if they wont accept my titer levels, then they dont need my business that bad. Just my feelings. :D

I do titers every two years, instead of every year, per discussions with my vet.

[moonbeam]

Another thing, most of the Veterinary Teaching Universities have changed their vaccination protocols to every 3 years instead of every year. (Check Colorado State University's for sure). If vets and boarding kennels are not accepting titers and are requiring annual vaccinations they are not up on the new research that annual vaccinations do more harm than good. I would argue those points and possibly find another vet or boarding kennel if they don't listen to reason.

JMO.. of course.

[Rottnlove]

Thanks, you've made a very good point. I'll definitely do that.

Originally Posted by moonbeam

Another thing, most of the Veterinary Teaching Universities have changed their vaccination protocols to every 3 years instead of every year. (Check Colorado State University's for sure). If vets and boarding kennels are not accepting titers and are requiring annual vaccinations they are not up on the new research that annual vaccinations do more harm than good. I would argue those points and possibly find another vet or boarding kennel if they don't listen to reason.

JMO.. of course.

[Lorrie]

The term “titer” refers to the strength or concentration of a substance in a solution. When testing vaccine titers in dogs, a veterinarian takes a blood sample from a dog and has the blood tested for the presence and strength of the dog’s immunological response to a viral disease. If the dog demonstrates satisfactory levels of vaccine titers, the dog is considered sufficiently immune to the disease, or possessing good “immunologic memory,” and not in need of further vaccination against the disease at that time.

Titer are now more affordable because the more widely recognized benefits of titer testing have caused an increase in the number of titer tests performed at veterinary laboratories, the price is coming down and the tests are available from a wide range of providers. You can expect to pay $40 to $100 for CDV (distemper) and CPV (parvo) titer testing from a laboratory, and slightly less for an in-office test if your vet has that ability.


Vaccination Newsflash

And straight from Dr Dodd's herself:

Dr. Jean Dodd's VACCINE SCHEDULE
Revised 4/00
Content contributed by Helen McKinnon
It's For The Animals.com

To Contact Dr. Jean Dodds:
Home Office: (Mon/Tues/Fri)
Phone 310/ 828-4804 --Pacific Time
Fax: 310/ 828-8251
938 Stanford St.
Santa Monica, CA 90403 USA

Hemopet Office: (Wed/Thurs)
Phone: 714-891-2022 --Pacific Time
Fax: 714-891-2123
11330 Markon Dr
Garden Grove, CA 92841 USA

Titer Test FormsThat You Can Print out
http://www.itsfortheanimals.com/HEMOPET.HTM

Vaccine Schedule, Vaccination Protocol, Vaccine Protocol
Revised 4/00

Dr Jean Dodds: "This schedule is the one I recommend and should NOT be interpreted to mean that other protocols recommended by a veterinarian would be less satisfactory. It's a matter of professional judgement and choice."
For breeds or families of dogs susceptible to or effected with immune dysfunction, immune-mediated disease, immune-reactions associated with vaccinations, or autoimmune endocrine disease (e.g., thyroiditis, Addison's or Cushing's disease, diabetes, etc.), the following protocol is recommended:

Age of Pups Vaccine Type
9 weeks MLV Distemper/Parvovirus only (e.g. Intervet Progard Puppy)
12 weeks MLV Distemper/Parvovirus only (e.g. Intervet Progard Puppy)
16-20 weeks MLV Distemper/Parvovirus only (e.g. Intervet Progard Puppy)

(Total of 3 doses ONLY first 3)

24 weeks or older
24 weeks or older, if allowable by law Killed Rabies Vaccine

1 year MLV Distemper/Parvovirus only booster
1 year give 3-4 weeks apart from Dist/Parvo booster) Killed 3 year rabies vaccine

MLV=modified-live virus

After 1 year, annually measure serum antibody titers against specific canine infectious agents such as distemper and parvovirus. This is especially recommended for animals previously experiencing adverse vaccine reactions or breeds at higher risk for such reactions (e.g., Weimaraner, Akita, American Eskimo, Great Dane). Another alternative to booster vaccinations is homeopathic nosodes. This option is considered an unconventional treatment that has not been scientifically proven to be efficacious. One controlled parvovirus nosode study did not adequately protect puppies under challenged conditions. However, data from Europe and clinical experience in North America support its use. If veterinarians choose to use homeopathic nosodes, their clients should be provided with an appropriate disclamer and written informed consent should be obtained.

I use only killed 3 year rabies vaccine for adults and give it separated from other vaccines by 3-4 weeks. In some states, they may be able to give titer test result in lieu of booster.

I do NOT use Bordetella, corona virus, leptospirosis or Lyme vaccines unless these diseases are endemic in the local area pr specific kennel. Futhermore, the currently licensed leptospira bacterins do not contain the serovars causing the majority of clinical leptospirosis today.

Do NOT recommend vaccinating bitches during estrus, pregnancy or lactation. Do not vaccinate during times of stress such as: surgery, travel, illness or infection.

[Rottnlove]

Thanks for posting this, Lorrie, it is very informative!

I called the place we would like to board her at, and they said that the 3 year vaccine has not been proven yet, only Rabies, so she won't need to have that done. I really hate the fact that they require Bordetella. There are SO many strains of kennel cough... But I guess they still feel it is better than not doing it at all. :)

[spidey]

they said that the 3 year vaccine has not been proven yet,

I'm sorry, but this is nonsense. There is no "three year vaccine", the studies which have been done indicate clearly that rabies lasts at least three years and that the other routine vaccines (distemper, parvo, etc) last even longer than that, sometimes up to seven years. See here.