Question:
Like many others, I read your column faithfully and have learned a lot from your advice. Recently, I tried to take that advice and was stumped by my local vet.You frequently address the issue of vaccination protocols and recommend that our respective vets run a blood titer before vaccinations to help determine if our dogs need the shots at all. When I suggested this to my vet, I was told that blood titers are unreliable because there is little or no consensus on their effectiveness in determining whether shots are necessary. I was without recourse and agreed to the shots.Can you please help me? Are there recommended titer levels, and what are they?.
S.H., Gloversville, NY Jan 16, 2005
Answer:
Professional veterinary journals have, in recent years, published several articles that clearly demonstrate the reliability of blood titer tests to determine if re-vaccinations are needed (with the exception of certain types of rabies vaccination in certain breeds, and in relation to how recently the vaccination was given). Vaccinations also give what is called somatic cell immunity, which provides animals with some protection from the disease in question even though their blood titer reading may be low.In summary, with few exceptions, there is no need to give dogs and cats annual booster vaccinations, the risks of which make blood titer determinations a worthwhile and prudent alternative.
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