titers? - Page 1

As anyone doing disptemper, rabies, parvo titers on their dogs? What are the results? Also,do any of you know of any state that would accept a protective rabies titer result in lieu of a vaccination?

I used to do titers on my dogs as I did not vaccinate. They regulary showed a good titer to both parvo and distemper. (thus got thier own immunity to it from encountering it or the shed vaccine in the environment). One must remember though that a low titer does not mean the dog is not covered for the virus. It may just mean that the dog has not come into contact with the virus in the environment lately. When they do the body kicks into mode and produces antibodies to it. Thus if you happen to titer after your dog has been in contact with the virus your titer would come back very high. I will be doing a rabies titer on my dogs when their vaccines are due. Thus far I do not believe that the titer is accepted in animals (people /vets get them all the time and consider themselves covered !!)

Hi Blitz a titer test will not be sufficient when it comes to Rabies. Border crossings/international travel with just a sufficient titer test will not be acceptable, the dog must be current on the vaccination. Locally you need to adhere to your country's and states vaccination laws. In Germany anual Rabies vaccinations are required by law. If your dog has come in contact with a rabid animal and yor dog was not current on the Rabies vaccinations your dog will be destroyed, no ifs and buts about it. If the dog was current on the Rabies it will be quarantined and only released to you until considered safe. I reckon the US has similar rules. Considering the consequences that is one vaccionation not to consider lightly. You might want to have a look at this map it shows a map of reported rabies cases in the US for 2003: http://www.rabavert.com/casesall.html Shows, trials and most airline travel also require current vaccinations dates. If you do not participate in dog events much, do not travel with dogs, do not have a lot of dogs coming and going, then a titer test can be a good alternative to vaccinations other than Rabies. Some of our friends do the titer tests regularly (every year) and most healthy adult and older dogs are well protected and they can adjust the vaccination schedules to the titers.

Thanks, DH. In PA there were none in dogs, but plenty in other animals. I do vaccinate Blitz against rabies as required in PA, every 3 years. He's due his second next June. I admit I often think about not doing it LOL. Here in PA if a dog bites anyone, vaccinated or not, it is placed in quarantine either at a boarding facility or in the home of the owner for only 10 days which of course is just smoke and mirrors as it often takes far longer for rabies to manifest symptoms. Owners of unvaccinated dogs are subject to some pretty stiff fines and the dog must get a vaccination, but I've not heard of any being put down unless they were habitual offenders.

We have done titers for years - we have old dogs that are still showing adequate protection 4-5 years after their last shots !! Goes to show you they don't need all these shots !!! Agree with the others on rabies, that you have to get !!

Since the human health risk is pretty great in the case of a bite from an animal with an unknown Rabies status, a test can be demanded. We all know how that is accomplished. If the health risk to a human is there, then the test must be done..... too late once the symptoms present...