Do you titer? Half dose thoughts...
 

Hi there. I am curious if you do blood titers to check your dogs immunity to common diseases that vaccines protect against? If you do, does that mean you are not revaccinating after three years? If your titer is low though do you revaccinate? What determines a low titer- anyone know off hand?

If you don't titer, and instead stick with the every three year protocol, are there special reasons why you choose that (outside of that it is the normal thing to do)? For example, do you participate in dog events and are therefore at a higher risk of contracting a disease? Or even more so, go to dog parks or social dog places?

As a follow up to those questions, I noticed our sticky notes on vaccines referred only to dr dodds reccomendations but she stated in an article I read of hers about half dose vaccines that dogs start losing their 'baby vaccine immunity' around age ten at which point they are seniors anyway, have a higher risk for vaccine reaction and don't get out much- but our breed generally speaking does have a longer life span so if you did follow that vaccine protocol for your dog how do you or might you behave differently to respond to the needs of your dog with a longer life span?

Dr. Jean Dodds' Pet Health Resource Blog | A Pilot Study: 1/2 Dose Vaccines for Small Dogs

Sorry guys, I know I am always such a babbler but I have another part to this query: what is your take on half dose vaccines for smaller breed dogs? Does anybody do that? I am a vaccine advocate, love my Lilah not getting parvo, think it is super cool my kids don't get polio, that said, it sure does seem strange that the same dose applies to an eight week old yorkie puppy and a Saint Bernard (as is pointed out in that article). I wonder too though, since she wrote that article on the basis that repeat vaccines were not necessary;if the smaller dose a small breed dog would receive would cause a requirement for more frequent re vaccination?

Anywho, I would love to hear what you guys choose to do for your pups and hear any input on these pondering you have to share. Thanks!

No, I don't do titers at all since they're unable to really tell you anything substantial. Bc remember:

*You can have a positive titer, yet have no cellular immunity (humoral immunity only in this case)

*You can have a negative titer, and yet HAVE cellular immunity (but there is no test for cellular immunity)

The only super helpful thing a titer can do is, for example, when it's used for a newly admitted shelter or rescue dog etc -- bc you can do a titer and then see if perhaps the animal has had a particular shot in the past, therefore negating the need to vaccinate yet again at that time (avoids overvaccination).

With my kiddos, I really do choose to trust the DOI's - which are well beyond 3 years and instead are 7yrs-lifetime for most vaccinations.

As far as 1/2 doses, I don't think we can assume / know anything at this time. Theoretically though, with the way immunity works -- if a 1/2 dose can trigger the response - then it shouldn't really make any difference to longevity of the response. But we shall see :)! Awesome study, it's about time!!!!

With rabies, I do every 3 yrs as there is no choice.

Thank you for your thoughtful answer Ann :)

Basically this.

I did titers on Jax a year and a half ago-ish? Honestly, it was more for... peace of mind? I realize I likely wasted my $ and I was probably going to get him vaccinated one more time anyway (he was 7 and hadn't had DHPP or da2pp etc, since 1 year old). Titer came low on the distemper one but others all said he was adequately protected.

Here on out, I'll likely just have him vaccinated for rabies every 3yrs as per the law. I can't see myself giving him more vaccinations after the age of 10 unless absolutely necessary. I believe he will be adequately protected from the ones he received as a pup, at 1, and at 7yrs. And the rabies every 3 years.