Titer Testing Website

[Owen's Mom]

If you've ever considered having blood drawn for a Titer test rather than vaccinating every year, please check out this site for some detailed info http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/biggrin.gif
http://www.earthanimal.com/help/excerpts/vol1_no1.html

Hope some find it helpful

~~Amy~~

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~~Amy & Owen~~
22.8 lbs of Black and Tan Standard Muscle!!
www.dachshundrescue.org

[Meemoo]

Thanks so much for that informative and helpful site about vaccinations and titer testing. I printed it out for future reference. I have only had my doxie for approximately 2 months and unfortunately no one would give us written documentation on his immunizations. Aren't looking to have him go unnecessarily.

Thanks again<IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm35.gif" border=0>

[Frzframe]

This is the reason I do not give my cat yearly shots. I read somewhere that if your cat rarely goes outside then yearly shots are unnecessary but that they should have them very 2 - 3 years. But my vet still sends me those reminders!
~Shonda

[Owen's Mom]

OK... So, I just got Owen's test results back... he is 768/1 for distemper and only 20/1 for parvovirus. SO... I'll be doing a booster for Parvovirus (never mess with parvo!!) and leave the distemper out.

I just feel good knowing what's actually in his blood <IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm30.gif" border=0>

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~~Amy & Owen~~
22.8 lbs of Black and Tan Standard Muscle!!
www.dachshundrescue.org

[Oscar's Mom]

Owen's Mom - just wondering how did your vet react when you asked about the test?
Thanks for the info, I printed it out and will ask about it. Oscar just had his annual, so next time.

[Owen's Mom]

It's something my Vet offers, so they had no problem with it. If they didn't offer it, or just told me that I should vaccinate, I would have found another vet. Seriously... If a vet doesn't want to work with me, I'll take my money and my handsome dachsie somewhere else http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/biggrin.gif



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~~Amy & Owen~~
22.8 lbs of Black and Tan Standard Muscle!!
www.dachshundrescue.org

[Heather]

What's a Titer?

[Owen's Mom]

A titer is a blood test that checks the levels of vaccine in the blood. Check out the link that I posted at the beginning of the thread, it will give you lots of information on Titers http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/biggrin.gif



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~~Amy & Owen~~
22.8 lbs of Black and Tan Standard Muscle!!
www.dachshundrescue.org

[Meemoo]

Hi,

In response to the titer testing information, I looked on their site and see that they offer a newsletter. Have any of you subscribed to it? It is 34.99 for one year and 55.96 for two years. Sounds like good information, but kind of pricey although i don't know how often it comes out and how lengthy it is. Any info?

[Owen's Mom]

I just found the site yesterday... and so I haven't subscribed to their news letter. It sounds a bit pricey to me, I'd probably just bookmark their site and learn from it and then take points of it to discussion on health boards around the internet... Here's one that I use often http://216.34.232.28/club/bboard/fur/health/

There are a few holistic people there who are great to bounce things off of http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/smile.gif

[Roxane]

Hi Amy:
Thanks for the really great info. Among my group of dog people, including breeders, we have been taking a closer look at vaccinations within the past couple of years. One of the methods pushed by the vets in this area is the _annual_ vaccinations against rabies, rather than the 3 year shots. They say that if the dog has missed it's 3 year shot by as little as 2 weeks, then they are required to give the 1 year booster. Meaning, the dog must go in for a shot the following year. I wonder if there is a test that measures how the immune system is doing regarding rabies?
I ask this because one of the gals I know did some research and said the results were that the 1 year shot was exactly the same as the 3 year shot.
BTW, our senior Dobe, with genetic skin issues, no longer gets the distemper nor the parvo shots. Both the larger dogs are confined to our property, no strays in the area and fencing that would prohibit contact if there were any.
I have bookmarked the page. Again, thanks so much,
Roxane

<FONT COLOR="#00FFFF" SIZE="1" FACE="Verdana, Arial">This message has been edited by Roxane on October 22, 2000 at 10:58 AM</font>

[Meemoo]

How is a titer test administered to a dog? Do they have to get anesthetized or given a sedative? The vet I currently use (although thinking of changing) says you have to give the dog either a sedative or anesthesia to perform a titer test. Any thoughts?

Thx
Loren

[Owen's Mom]

Your vet is completly wrong. All they do is draw some blood and send it to a lab that performs the test.

He or She doesn't seem to know exactly what a Titer test really is. Call around to other vets and see if you can bring the pupster in to them, or ask your vet to research it a bit, if they don't offer it, then see another vet.

[Meemoo]

so my question to you now is...knowing that all they do is draw blood..do they have to sedate the dog to do this...how is it done?

[Oscar's Mom]

A dog should not be sedated just to draw blood. With Oscar it takes 3 people though, one to draw the blood, one to hold his front and one to hold his back end because he is squirmy!

[Meemoo]

I think I need a new vet. Oh brother. Not easy...don't have any recommendations and don't want to pick one out of the yellow pages. This is going to be a toughie for me<IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm36.gif" border=0>

[Owen's Mom]

Meemo...
What part of the country do you live in? Perhaps there is a fellow poster in your area who can reccomend a good vet? I'm thinking you're in NY City? If so, Pluto's Lanie lives in the area, perhaps she could reccomend a good vet?

Let us know and we'll help out http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/biggrin.gif


------------------
~~Amy & Owen~~
22.8 lbs of Black and Tan Standard Muscle!!
www.dachshundrescue.org

[Meemoo]

Gee..that would be wonderful!! I actually live in Queens, one of the five boroughs of New York city but if there was a good recommendation in the city I would travel there with him.

Thanks so much!!

Loren

[Meemoo]

okay as promised here are some sites that talk about vaccinations ..hope these links work!!!
www.thensome.com/vaccinations.htm (http://www.thensome.com/vaccinations.htm) www.healthy.net/asp/templates/article.asp?PageType=Article&ID=485 (http://www.healthy.net/asp/templates/article.asp?PageType=Article&ID=485) http://members.aol.com/IFTA2/vaccine1.htm

<FONT COLOR="#00FFFF" SIZE="1" FACE="Verdana, Arial">This message has been edited by meemoo on October 27, 2000 at 11:00 AM</font>

[Mark]

Thanks so much for the links . . . I'll read up before tomorrows Vet appointment.

Mark

[Meemoo]

Please let me know how it goes and what you decide. BTW...how does one become a moderator or get more involved? I'd love to..

Loren

<IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm30.gif" border=0>

[Mark]

Hi Loren,

I will report back after the Vet visit and let you know.

Thank you for your selfless offer to be more involved in the board and although we had discussed this recently . . . we aren't looking for any additional help until the active membership grows some more. When it does grow beyond what we are able to handle . . . we will remember your offer and consider you for the position.

http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/smile.gif Mark http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/smile.gif

[Meemoo]

aw phooey!!! I wanna help!!! Anyhow good luck at the vet. We have a new vet appt. next week for Chiefy. I am not experienced, but it seems to me that vets treat you like the good old docs. as of late do. Ten minutes, 100 later. Zip..zing. rush in..rush out. No one takes the time to talk to you about your dog...temperment, feeding..especially if one is new to the breed or even new to being an owner. Where has the "bedside" manner gone? This last vet I went to, I did up on reading and asked questions such as...expressing anal glands, cleaning ears, etc. Didn't get much of an answer either...gave me a few handouts, (which were outdated) that don't say much more than a commercial. Have any of you had experiences with vets who actually sit down and tell you what you can expect and what to do if certain things arise or am I expecting too much?

[Mark]

Hi Loren,

You'll be the first one we think of when we're ready for help!

I know what you mean about Vets . . . we found ours 7 years ago and moved from that area 3 1/2 years later. We tried 4 or 5 Vets here and were so unhappy with all of them . . . we drive an hour one way just so we can take the furkids back to her. This Vet has all the qualities you mentioned. She does listen, talk about food or temperament and when one of the kids are sick . . . she calls personally to follow up with us. And we have her home number and have used it 3 times in the middle of the night. So yes, this kind of Vet does still exist, but are hard to find. I dare say that there are other members here with great Vets too. Hang in there you'll find one.

Thanks again for offering to help,

Mark

[Jennifer]

Nope, you aren't expecting too much at all from a vet.

Our vet before we moved was that way. The day that he confirmed that Oscar was blind, he actually had tears in his eyes as he told my husband. When I first had Charlie and had alot of questions, he sat down and answered all of my questions even those not directly related to his health care (housetraining, getting him to stop chewing up my apartment). When we moved and Oscar was having a terrible time adjusting to the new house (having panic attacks), he talked with me on the phone about it and even followed up to make sure that Oscar had ajusted.

Yes, the are out there and you should keep trying until you find one. I am not as thrilled with the new vet and when Betty's hw treatment is through I am going to begin a search for a new vet.

[Roobyrocks]

I scrutinize Vets the same way I do a personal Dr for myself. When I first got Rooby, I took her to a neighborhood Vet and she spent lots of time with me explaining the breed, things to watch out for, things to be careful of. In other words, this Vet is truly interested in the animals, and she took the time to make sure I knew what to expect.

Just yesterday, I took Rooby to have her butt squeezed (anal gland express!), something that a Tech there does; when Rooby's Vet saw her, she took time to come in and love on Rooby, give her a Bill Jack treat and see how we're doing. This vet is pricey, but I feel it's worth it to get this kind of attention, along with the latest technology, etc. They also call the day after her appointments to make sure she doesn't have any reactions or anything. My Dr. doesn't do that!!

Don't settle for a Vet that treats you like a number... you have a Weenie dog for crying out loud!! You demand respect!! http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/smile.gif

[Wienergal]

Loren, I live in a big city too--Chicago--and I have found that there is a huge difference among vets in terms of the issues discussed on this thread. My vet is swamped--with patients, with her work in the national vets' association, going to conferences, etc. She ALWAYS takes the time to talk to me about my dogs--AND she writes every single thing down and gives the sheet to me when I leave. She also listens, which is my number one criterion for ALL doctors--human and animal. A vet who doesn't ask good questions and listen carefully to the answers is worthless, in my book. If one of my dogs has had a medical problem and seen her, my vet calls me a few days later to find out how the dog is. These calls sometimes come at 9 or 10 at night. She works hard--and she's very caring. Very up to date on the latest medical advances, potential problems in our area, etc.

I should add that she is expensive--but no moreso than the assembly-line vet hospital down the street from me, where you take a number and are hustled in and out at the speed of light, AND which actually makes automatic marketing/sales calls to patients on their home phones!!!<IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm4.gif" border=0>

I think it's time to go vet shopping....

Amy, thanks for this info on titers. I'll check it out.

By the way, here in Chicago, the three-year rabies vaccination is standard, and my vet has never mentioned anything about the danger of missing it by one week. I wonder...<IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm10.gif" border=0>

[Mark]

Hi all,

Top Spins trip to the Vet was uneventful and he checked out fine. He's 80.8 pounds now. We talked to the Dr. about Titers and here's what she said: The AVMA is meeting and discussing what they will recommend to their membership (the Vets) about Titers. We were only her second request on how she stands. She will probably go with the AVMA's recommendation. Currently, because it is not widely used . . . it's expensive, but feels that the cost will go down as more & more labs offer it. And finally her only concern is that if people get a 2 to 3 year window of not needing annual vacs/injections she is afraid that there will many people who don't bother to bring their furkids in yearly for a check up.

Top Spin is only 17 months old so we weren't really concerned regarding him for this visit and the girls aren't due again till April . . . she promised to 1) do more research and 2) let us know what the AVMA decides as soon as she knows.

I trust and respect her opinion and will wait, at this point to see what she says and why.

Mark

[Roxane]

Meemo, thank you so much for the links. They follow along the lines the friend (a breeder) I had mentioned in an earlier post, was researching. I have taken a firm stand on vaccinations based on exactly the information those articles provide.
Pamela, I wonder no more. I firmly believe the push for annual shots are motivated by financial gain. Especially, when introducing toxins into a dog whose immune system is already compromised.
The articles from Meemo also provided the answer I was looking for regarding testing via titer for rabies vacs. Now that I am aware it exits I will probably become the client from hell, as far as the vets are concerned. http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/smile.gif
On a case by case basis, the variables would include the amount of exposure to other animals and infected areas. This would include boarding kennels and a dog being campaigned on the show circuit.
Until, through more research, the veterinary community makes standardized decisions, I feel each pet owner will need to adopt his/her own guidelines.
Pamela, because of Peaches Marie, you might be interested in the information provided regarding the higher incident of skin allergies, in recent years, and the possible link to vaccinations.
Again, thanks Meemo,
Roxane, Greta and Baylea

[Owen's Mom]

In my puny little mind, I'd assume that as more people understand what titers are, and request them (My vet actually recommends them) the cost will go down. But, it was only $40 or for Owen's, which I feel is cheaper than treating him for problems that could potentially arise due to over-vaccination.

Also... I posted a question about titers on a health board a while back and there is a retired vet who didn't have the option of titers when he was practicing... but once a dog or cat turned 6, he'd only vaccinate every 3 years because he KNEW that their systems had built up plenty of vaccine after being boostered yearly for 6 years.

Again, I'm having Owen boostered for a low parvovirus result (30/1) while I'm not having any booster done for distemper (768/1). To blindly give him another distemper shot would be overkill and could possibly cause problems. I like knowing what I'm giving and why before I allow him to be vaccinated as an adult dog.

~~Amy~~

[Wienergal]

Aha! http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/think.gif I think Mark's vet hit the nail right on the head! Vets may insist on yearly vaccinations out of fear that owners won't do the annual exams if there's nothing "crucial"--i.e., a life-saving vaccination--involved. And I'll bet their fear is justified in many cases!

So if we decide to ask our vets to do titer testing, we should probably assure them that we WILL show up for the annual exam, regardless of whether DHLPP or rabies is due that year.

Good one, Mark! http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/bounce.gif

[Owen's Mom]

Oh yeah... re: rabies... You don't titer for them. It's a legal thing (they could titer for them actually) you have to give the rabies booster as per your states requirements. So, that would get you back in regardless http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/wink.gif

[Roxane]

Dear Amy:
I must assume you have never spent any time in NC. State's requirement for rabies vaccinations?
http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/lol.gif http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/lol.gif http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/lol.gif http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/lol.gif http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/lol.gif
And you are completely correct about the fact that you can titer test for rabies. I found that mentioned twice in the original links that Meemo posted.
Roxane and crew

[Owen's Mom]

You don't have a requirement there? It's every 3 years by law in Ca. Have you heard of Nosodes? Here's a site... let me know what you get from it. My Homeopathic Vet suggested them rather than the live Rabies booster. http://www.abap.org/nosodes.htm and... I just found my regular vet's website (I didn't even know they had one) and it discusses their feelings on vaccinations. Here ya go. http://www.gothere.com/AdamsAve/3817/3817b.htm

------------------
~~Amy & Owen~~
22.8 lbs of Black and Tan Standard Muscle!! www.dachshundrescue.org (http://www.dachshundrescue.org)

<FONT COLOR="#00FFFF" SIZE="1" FACE="Verdana, Arial">This message has been edited by Owen's Mom on October 30, 2000 at 05:41 PM</font>

[Roxane]

Hi Amy:
What a coincidence, received a post card from the vet today reminding me Greta is due for her annual physical and series of shots, in November. (Can't believe we've had her a year!)
They list exactly what all the articles recommend not doing; the 6 in 1 shots. Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza and Parvovirus. In addition a shot for Coronavirus.
If they will not give Distemper and
Parvovirus separately, I will call the Homeopathic vet in the area for an opinion. At the same time I will ask about Nosodes, which I never had heard about before all of this was brought to my attention.
To date, this year, 12 dogs statewide (that I know of) have been
pts after exposure to a rabid wild animal, because they did not have their shots. There may be more.
As soon as some of our sicker dachsies recover I will post about a very recent incident when I tried to get an agency to respond to the sighting of a possibly rabid raccoon. Right now I do not want to deflect attention from Queenie, Kibby, Duck Butter and too many more we are all worried about.
Roxane

[Owen's Mom]

I'm no vet, but I would not allow them to give my dog that 5 in 1 (or how ever many in 1) vaccine. I'd still have your baby vaccinated, as it's probably a good idea for the 1st year booster, but I'd ask for the two single vaccines, 1 for parvovirus and one for distemper. If your dog is healthy, I would not do Bordatella unless you're boarding your pup and it's required, then I'd give it at the time of boarding. And... I'd post this question at the ACME board (here's the link http://216.34.232.28/club/bboard/fur/health/ and get some opinions from Connie and Blonde who regularly post there and take a holistic approach http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/biggrin.gif

Let me know what you decide.

------------------
~~Amy & Owen~~
22.8 lbs of Black and Tan Standard Muscle!! www.dachshundrescue.org (http://www.dachshundrescue.org)

[Owen's Mom]

Roxane,
Go to this link re: vaccinations http://216.34.232.28/club/bboard/fur/health/messages0722/693.html This is a post from a very sharp dog owner who's done her homework.

Hope you find it helpful!!

~~Amy~~

[Roxane]

Hi Amy:
The first link you posted doesn't work for me. The second only affirms the opinion I have formed about giving the shots individually.
As I said, it will be interesting to see if the vet I use for Greta and Baylea will do this. If not I do have alternatives.
I have a different vet for the Dobes, she is very, very Dobe oriented.
This has been an important topic and one I would not have been aware of if it were not for our BB.
Thanks to all who have participated, I feel it has been a real eye opener.http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/bounce.gif
Roxane and crew

[Mark]

Hi Roxane,

Try the first link now . . . I think it's all fixed!

Mark

[Roxane]

You just earned another A+, Mr. Administrator. It works!
Roxane

[Little Freddie]

<IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm24.gif" border=0> <IMG SRC="http://dachsie.org/ubb/cwmsmilies/cwm24.gif" border=0>WOW!! I just read this whole page, my wheels are turning! I've never heard of a LOW Parvovirus vaccine. Also, I thought that Distemper vaccine is one of the MOST important?? Is it wise to skip an annual Distemper?

I will ask my Vet about being able to choose the Vacs. What do you do if your Vet does NOT offer vacs singley?? Freddie's last vacs was DA2PPv. I guess that's a 5 in 1? I noticed it's no longer DHLPP. One thing I learned is that Corona vac is only for puppies. But I will definately see if I can eliminate a couple vacs next time. Freddie will be 3 in April, so maybe it's not necessary to have annual vacs?

Susanhttp://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/smile.gif

[Roxane]

Hi Susan:
I am not completely sure about the Coronavirus vacs. Although the coronavirus causes a devasting disease in puppies, it does not effect most adult dogs with any degree of severity.
I feel as tho we are walking a tightrope, in an attempt to do the best we can for our dogs.
Roxane

[Owen's Mom]

Susan:
I'm not suggesting you simply stop giving vaccinations... I'm suggesting that you have a blood test done (titer) that will be sent away to a lab who will give you and the vet the levels of vaccine that are still in Freddie's blood from the last round of vaccinations. IF they are at an acceptable level (talk with a knowledgible vet), then you skip that vaccine for that year. Owen tested high for Distemper, but low for parvovirus... Hence, he will boostered for parvovirus this year and titered again next year to see if he needs to be vaccinated again.

I hope that helps. The link I put below that is to my vet's page will really spell it out for you. http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/biggrin.gif



------------------
~~Amy & Owen~~
22.8 lbs of Black and Tan Standard Muscle!!
www.dachshundrescue.org

[Little Freddie]

Amy,

I understand what you meant completely. I bookmarked your Vet's page (Kensington) and read it. However, I just looked at the Dachshund Rescue of San Diego page (www.dachshundrescue.com) and I didn't see any link related to your Vet. How much is a Titer's test roughly? I'll check more into it, but I doubt my Vet does this procedure.

Susanhttp://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/smile.gif

[Little Freddie]

Amy,

My correction; www.dachshundrescue.org. (http://www.dachshundrescue.org.) Where is your Vet's link on there? I can't find it.

Susan

[Owen's Mom]

Susan,
It's just the Vet link that I was refering to... http://www.gothere.com/AdamsAve/3817/3817b.htm It was $45 I think to have the test done and sent to Cornell University to be read. You vet should offer it, if not... it's up to you as to whether or not you feel you want to pursue a more holistic vet for Freddie. Everyone feels differently about it, I'm sold on Titers personally.

http://dachsie.org/ubb/smilies/smile.gif

~~Amy~~