Titers/Vaccinations?

[Kerry Jane]

Okay, does anyone know of ANY research that indicates that titers are useless?

I took my one dog to my vet this morning to get blood taken for a parvo/distemper titer and my vet said that it is a useless test and she refused to do it (claiming she does not overvaccinate - she vaccinates once every year up to 5 and then once every 2nd year).
Well, all of the research that I have been doing just does not support this. I liked the idea of titering to check immunity before deciding to vaccinate or not - as opposed to simply stopping vaccinations.
Everything that I have read has been pro-titers being done. So, is there anything out there that indicates that this test is meaningless?

I am wondering if I need to find myself a new vet......

[GoCougs]

Actually, I have always been of the opinion that it is a vets job to do a vets job and clients shouldn't have to prove something positive. The vet should prove that it's not true. The client shouldn't have to do the vets job for them. Their job is to study and provide health care to pets based on the most current and safe veterinary practices.

We are talking about people who hold PHDs. These are intellectuals who are no strangers to studying.

Therefore, it sounds to me like you should find a new vet. A vet/client relationship should be one of mutual trust and respect. She should trust that you have done some research, and respect your wishes. If she feels that you are wrong and doesn't want to do the titer testing, she should kindly decline and refer you to someone who will, or prove that you are wrong.

Just my $0.02.

[carole]

From what I read about titre testing a low result does not mean your dog has no immunity. So basically a dog with a low titre could be just as immune as a dog with a high count. A low count meaning it has not been in contact with the disease.

Memory cells are what respond to the disease and there is no way to measure them

Im undecided on the whole thing

[dalefuller]

Originally Posted by Kerry Jane

Okay, does anyone know of ANY research that indicates that titers are useless?

I am wondering if I need to find myself a new vet......

We do titers on our adults rather than vaccinate on a rigid schedule. Ours are done by a combination of our local vet for some titers and a University Vet Teaching Hospital for the others. Neither of them thinks that titers are useless. When we did them this year, they came back showing that Riley was well within "safe" limits, so we did only a 3 yr rabies booster as required by state and local law. If we weren't required by law to do it, we wouldn't have done that.

Our 7 month old Dobe has had all of her puppy shots, but from now on, she'll be titered annually and will get only what we (with advice from our vet) determine to be in her best interest.

HTH...

What to do aout your vet is up to you. If you do decide to change, I'd visit the AHVA website and see if there are any holistic vets near enough to be useful to you.

[marciafinn]

My vet tests Mason's titers each year. If you aren't comfortable with your vet I would probably look for another. I just started with Mason's vet a little over a year ago since I wasn't comfortable anymore with the one we were using, not holisitc. He just kept administering steroids instead of finding the problem. When I chose my new vet I made sure to do a lot of research and ask a lot of questions. Good luck!

[Cami]

I have titers run on my girl as well. She received her puppy shots and nothing else since then, (she turned 3 in March).
Asidie from the fact that over vaccinating is a major health risk she has had cancer and she also has heart related issues. My vet actually informed me earlier in the year that a rabies titer is also now available. We have both contacted the local health department concerning rabies tests. She won't be getting another of those either.

If you feel you have a good relationship with this vet I would suggest having a sit down with her and explain your feelings as well as provide her with some factual information. If not then by all means start interviewing for a new one!

[RamonasMom]

FWIW - The vet I worked for offers titers or vaccines. If the titer results came back as protective, then he would retest the next year. If they were below protective, we gave the vaccine no-charge. Distemper, Adenovirus, and Parvo combo as well as rabies are given every 3 years, Bordetella (if needed) is given every year. This is pretty much the standard for the majority of vet I have worked for.

Gina BS, RVT,CPDT

[dharmadoodle]

You're the one paying for it, so I don't see the vets problem with doing something that is asked of her!!

I would not be happy with a vet that told me 'No'.

My family - My rules - My way.