What are Blood Titers?

Basenji Health Issues & Questions
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  • elbrantE

    I've heard the phrase "blood titers" used by members, and in other sources, but I really don't have a clear understanding of them. Can we open a discussion about what they are(?), how they are used(?), and what benefits there are to using them? Also, would the average Vet be knowledgeable about them?

    elbrant.net

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  • tanzaT

    @elbrant - here is one site, but if you search the internet you can find lots of information on Titers..https://dogtime.com/dog-health/51773-titer-testing-dogs#:~:text=A titer test is a blood test that,body can use to fight off future infections.
    Ask your Vet about them, if they don't/can't tell you the information, IMO, find a new Vet. Benefits are that we are not over vaccinating our dogs. And yes they are a bit expensive, but my vets tell me how long the Titers will be valid depending on the antibodies found. That said "I" never do this for rabies... that is the law and I would never/ever take the chance that a bite by accident would take place, because if it requires Dr visit for the human and your dog is not up to date on Rabies, that would be a very, very big problem. So I do rabies as required ever 3 yrs... Benefits are that you are not over vaccinated your dogs that they have the required antibodies. And yes there are dogs, including Basenjis that have issues with Rabies shot that have other medical issues, this needs to be discussed with your Vet (not including the sometimes issue with a small reaction to the shot) but if that is an issue you need to carry proof from your Vet on why Rabies has not been given. Note that there are many Animal Control services in the US will not accept/respect these, but it is the first course to take...Most Vets these days understand that value of titers, some don't. This means owners need to do their research and talk to their breeders, provided they have gotten their pup from a responsible breeder, again a very important thing to do. In the end you need to do the research...

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

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  • eeeefarmE

    @elbrant said in What are Blood Titers?:

    Also, would the average Vet be knowledgeable about them?

    Absolutely! Most/all vets are inoculated against Rabies and have their titers checked periodically to make sure they still have immunity. So they are certainly familiar with the concept.

    "In order to get along with a Basenji, you have to be at least half as smart as the dog!"

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  • tanzaT

    @eeeefarm said in What are Blood Titers?:

    @elbrant said in What are Blood Titers?:

    Also, would the average Vet be knowledgeable about them?

    Absolutely! Most/all vets are inoculated against Rabies and have their titers checked periodically to make sure they still have immunity. So they are certainly familiar with the concept.

    But know that if Rabies are done with Titers, many and most US Animal control will not accept Titers, so the reason I still give that as I would NEVER take the chance that if a bite happened, even to a household member that Animal control would take your pup...

    Pat Fragassi

    Tanza Basenjis

    www.tanzabasenjis.net

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  • ZandeZ

    @tanza said in What are Blood Titers?:

    Benefits are that we are not over vaccinating our dogs.

    Do try to find a copy of 'Who Killed The Darling Buds of May' on Amazon or wherever !

    By Catherine O'Driscoll, subtitled along the spine with 'What Vets don't tell you about Vaccines.' And on the back 'Read this book before you vaccinate your dog or cat.' ISBN 0 9523048 1 3

    Very illuminating ! My first copy (this is another book I have lent out and had to buy again and which is now chained to the bookshelf) was sent to me by a very responsible and well-known breeder in USA.

    Sally Wallis

    Zande Basenjis

    www.zandebasenjis.com

    https://pedigrees.zandebasenjis.com

    SKYPE zandeuk

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    http://drjeandoddspethealthresource.tumblr.com/post/58271237209/titer-vaccine-questions#.UoS6II0Vxux Frequently Asked Questions about Titers and Vaccination Protocol by Dr. Dodds We frequently receive questions regarding Dr. Dodds? Canine Vaccination Protocol and thought we would put together a short FAQ to help your dog. We also invite you to explore the section tagged "Vaccines" ?on our blog as we have several posts about specific vaccines, viruses, and titers. Question: The breeder vaccinated before nine weeks of age. How do I start your vaccination protocol now? Answer: Just continue with the regular minimum vaccine protocol of Distemper and Parvovirus at 9 and 14 weeks. Question: It is difficult to find a veterinarian who gives only the DPV (Nobivac Puppy-DPv) per your vaccination protocol. Can you recommend a vet? Answer: You or your veterinarian can purchase it online from such places as Revival Animal Health or KV Vet Supply. Your vet can then administer the shot. Question: We purchased a puppy from a breeder who only vaccinates for Parvovirus. Should my dog also have Distemper? Answer: Your dog does need a distemper virus shot ? in fact two doses are needed 3-4 weeks apart. You can purchase it yourself. The only monovalent, single distemper shot on the market today is NeoVacc-D by NeoTech ? available online from such places as Revival Animal Health or KV Vet Supply. (Note: you can also purchase a single shot of Parvovirus from the same places.) Question: What kind of rabies vaccine should I get? Answer: The rabies vaccine should be thimerosal (mercury) ? free ? i.e. Merial IMRAB TF. Question: Are there any methods to stop the potential side effects of vaccine reactions? Answer: You can pre-treat dogs with the oral homeopathics, Thuja and Lyssin, to help blunt any adverse effects of the rabies vaccine. For other vaccines, just Thuja is needed. These homeopathics can be given the day before, the day of, and the day after the vaccine. Some product protocols suggest a different regimen for them. Question: Why won?t my state take my dog?s rabies titer test so he can avoid the vaccine? Answer: At this time, no state will accept a rabies titer in lieu of the shot. Additionally, a rabies titer does not satisfy any state?s medical exemption clause. For a list of states with medical exemptions, please visit The Rabies Challenge Fund www.RabiesChallengeFund.org. There are currently 18 states that officially recognize exemptions from rabies booster, but only on a justified case-by-case basis and following the specific requirements of that state. Question: What is the point of a rabies titer test if my state won?t accept it as a medical exemption? Answer: There are two reasons: Rabies titer results are required by many rabies-free countries or regions in order for dogs and cats to qualify for a reduced quarantine period prior to entry. Some of these regions are Hawaii, Guam, Japan, St. Kitts and Nevis, Australia, New Zealand, France, and the United Kingdom. Always check with the destination authority to verify the pet importation. The CDC states that a rabies titer of 0.1 IU/mL or higher is acceptable to protect a person from rabies. Further, the results of the 5-year Rabies Challenge Fund Study showed that immunologic memory for rabies vaccination remains at or above that level of immunity. This information is helpful for pet guardian peace-of-mind in areas where clinical rabies cases occur, and the dog or cat is medically exempt from further rabies boosters. Question: Every year, the titer shows them as low on their distemper antibodies. What should I do? Answer: I do suggest titer testing your dog every three years for both distemper and parvovirus. Additionally, any measurable titer to either distemper & parvovirus means that the dog has specific committed immune memory cells to respond and afford protection upon exposure. If your dogs consistently have no measurable titer to canine distemper virus, it means mean that they are distemper ?non-or low-responders?, an heritable trait where they will never mount immunity to distemper and will always be susceptible. These dogs should not be used for breeding. As non-or low-responders to distemper are rare (1:5000 cases), my suggestion is that you retest at least one of them at Hemopet. Question: My veterinarian believes anytime dogs are in contact with water that they are at HIGH risk for contracting leptospirosis. Answer: Not so. Most Leptospirosis strains (there are about 200) do not cause disease, and of the seven clinically important strains, only four ? L. icterohaemorrhagiae, L. canicola, L. grippotyphosa, and L. pomona serovars ? are found in today?s vaccines. So, exposure risk depends upon which serovars of Lepto have been documented to cause clinical leptospirosis in the area where you live. You can call the county health department or local animal control and ask. W. Jean Dodds, DVM Hemopet / NutriScan 11561 Salinaz Avenue Garden Grove, CA 92843
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    There are two sides of the coin here. While we may trust that the vet has the knowledge, we also know our dogs. It is ultimately up to the owner to decide the right course of action. Not everyone gets it right the first time either. Neither the vet nor the owner. I have had a vew encounters with vets who think they know my dog better than me-even with test results staring them in the face. On more that a couple of occassions, I have had to step in and say, "No, this is the route I want to take." But with that decision comes education as well. I think that the consumer, as they grow with knowledge, becomes more adept at reading things on their own and the vets should start to listen and have more open minds to the owner. Just MO. Glad to see, though, that things are on the move for your baby!
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    @tanza: Then you are fine…. worst would be a Carrier... no worries.... That's why I chose Katie. After much research into breeders in my area I was very impressed with the bloodlines she produces, and happy with how she has bred to clear any possibility of Fanconi from her bloodline. ALways good to wait longer to get a pup and know you chose the right breeder. :D
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