Why You May Not Be Properly Vaccinating Your Pet and How Titer Testing May Help
An increasing number of pet owners are concerned about properly and safely vaccinating pets. Titer testing can help to determining whether your pet has enough antibodies to defend against viruses that they have been previously vaccinated for. Here’s what you need to know about titer testing and what it means for vaccinating your pet.
What is titer testing?
It’s a blood test that measures an animal’s antibodies to vaccine viruses and other infectious agents. One dog may be more resistant to a virus while another may be more susceptible. Titer testing can evaluate your a dogs susceptibility to conditions like distemper, parvovirus, hepatitis. This allows your vet to determine if a booster vaccination is needed and potentially avoid unnecessary vaccinations. The exception is rabies re-vaccination, which is required by law.
So what if the titer shows my pet is immune?
Your vet may recommend you skip the boosters. You would have your dog re-titered in one year.
Is there any downside?
No.
Does it work?
The Animal Hospital Association, endorses titer testing as an appropriate way to check for immunity to parvovirus, distemper and adenovirus.
Titer testing will likely result in your pet avoiding unnecessary booster vaccinations. While vaccinating pets is critical, over-vaccinating is also a real concern. Titer tests are another tool in the toolbox to help make the best decisions for beloved pets. Ask your vet about titer testing today.
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