Titer test for dogs
In the previous entry titled "Weight management for healthy,long life for your dogs ", I wrote that we recently visited vet clinic for yearly checkup and the vet there asked about secret behind Palette's weight loss, and about the raw diet Palette is on a lot on that day. I wonder since more and more people are interested in the fresh food diet for themselves, I wonder if they started seeing more raw-fed dogs.
On the same day, the vet asked about re-vaccination for Bordetella, and something else. Since I believe that vaccination is not going to be given without risk, and I do not see the point giving those vaccinations to Palette for the disease , for example, Bordetella, she would be less likely exposed to (She does not go to dog parks, she does not go doggy day care or any other places where many dogs are ). So, I said "No,thank you" for the re-vaccination.
Just like dog's diet I think that it should be tailor to each individual dog's life style and for some other vaccines, I would be happy if vet themselves keep educating themselves with recent studies on vaccines or protocol etc.
At the same vet clinic, we had been asked about re-vaccination by our regular vet, but she was more understanding and, she did not push it, but the vet on the yearly checkup day,who we met for the first time, was telling us to do "Titer" if not re-vaccination.
I was familiar with the term "Titer", but my husband was not so familiar with the term so, the vet explained about it.
So, what is "Titer"?
"Titer" is the name of the test, and this test measure the amount of antibody to disease.
According to the book titled "Stop the shot" by John Clifton, he explains that vet draw one ounce of blood, and the original sample is expressed with ratio 1:1, then discard one half of the blood, and replace it with a dilutant, and this first diluted solution is expressed with the ratio 1:2.
So, with the first step,the original blood sample was diluted by half.
Then, he explains, vet will test the solution to see if there were any antibody in the diluted sample. If there were, vet will dilute the diluted sample by half again and check the anti body in the sample.This second solution is expressed with ratio 1:4.
So, vet will keep diluting the sample and keep checking the antibody in the sample and when he saw no antibody is present, he would stop the dilution and he will look the ration of last solution. That number will be called "Titer number".
With common sense, higher the number is, the more anti body present in the blood, but it is not the test to check the immunity.
John writes, even if titer score were lower, it does not mean that the dog in question has no immunity to the virus. He writes that if the dog were vaccinated in puppyhood, it is most likely that the immunity is present, and it does not mean they need another shot.
So, although, our vet on that day gave us an impression that if the titer number were lower, it means Palette would need another shot, but I do not think it right considering it is not the test to check the immunity against the virus.
According to article written by Christie Kieth on "Titer", she writes immunity to specific virus is reliant to memory cells,which orders immune system to create the antibody and dispatch them to the infection.
To read the full article by Christie Kieth on "Titer", please click here .
According to Dr Schultz, who is a professor and chair of pathobiological sciences at school of veterinary medicine, he has been studying on vaccination since 1970's and he has learned that the immunity can last as long as dog's life time, and he also learned that we humans are over vaccinating our beloved furry friends.
He writes that side effects of over vaccinations are skin problems, allergic reactions, autoimmune disease etc..
To read full article written by Dr Schultz on vaccination, please click here.
Dr Ron Schultz, Dr Jean Dodds, and advocate for vaccination Kris Christine have launched the project called "Rabies Challenge Fund". With the Rabies Challenge Fund, they would try to get the evidence to show that the Rabies vaccine can last longer than 3 years, possibly 5 years, 7 years, and avoid unnecessary re-vaccination to cause adverse reaction from the vaccine.
To learn more on Rabies Challenge Fund at Rabies challenge fund website, please click here . You can also see the update on vaccination legislation by clicking the update button.
In the past, when Palette was a puppy, I assumed that everything what vet says is what we do for the health for Palette, but then, after switching the diet to raw diet and started paying more attention to overall health matter, I learned a lot more.
Learning about over-vaccination was one of them, and I hope more and more people would pay attention to what they are giving via vaccination and, I hope many more people would stop and think whether the vaccination in the question are necessary or not.
The vet we met for the first time on the yearly checkup recommended for "titer" for shots we have skipped, but like I stated, I do not see the point to even do "titer" for the disease like Bordetella because Palette does not go dog park, does not go groomers often, does not go to doggy daycare where many dogs are, and less likely exposed to the virus.
It is a conclusion of me weighing risk vs benefit.I prefer not over-vaccinate Palette.
We left the clinic after the talk, but Palette was acting as if to say "Get me out,get me out" facing toward the door that leads to the lobby right from the moment she came back from weigh-in/blood draw for Snap 4D test for tick/heartworm.
After Palette came back to exam room,where we were, after a while, the vet came in and started asking question on diet, and then subject moved to vaccination. Whole time we were talking with him, Palette was restless and she was acting unusual way.
I thought that after vet tech draw blood for snap 4D test for tick/heartworm check and weigh-in, Palette was to be getting physical exam such as teeth,ear,eyes, heart etc.. just like regular lady vet does in front of us.
But it wasn't. She came back to room, and vet walked into the room, and he talked about she has nice white teeth etc.. and it seemed like he already checked her behind the door,away from us.
Later, I found out why she is usually calm with the lady vet, who we see normally and acting out on that day.
After the vaccination/titer test talk, I had something I wanted to ask on that day, and he sat on the floor and tried to check Palette but,one point time, she did not like the way the vet touched or something and she growled at the vet.
For me, it was strange because she does not mind being touched whether it is muzzle,paws, other area and, usually, she stands still and let our regular lady vet do whatever she wanted to do such as pulling up the lips or check ears, check heart, whatever. And she loves to come to the lady vet and being pet.
With the vet we saw on that day, Palette rather wanted to be away from him. With the regular lady vet, her ears goes flat on her head, head low, butt up in the air, butt wagging and trot to her and lay down in front of her and while she pet her, she pants with her tongue hanging out.
Now, when Palette growled at the vet, he yanked her leash, placing finger in front of her and said "no" with stern tone.
I train Palette with clicker training; the positive training method, and I do not like physical correction method.
After observing how he dealt with Palette's not so good manner, I would imagine Palette must have been so stressed out behind the doors.
Palette's very first local vet we used to go to was also the one Palette did not wanted to come closer, like the vet we saw on that day. Common things I see between the two vets are, they seemed not taking time to warm up with Palette via petting or calling her name with happy voice etc and rather, they are sort of like the one who come in and do what they need to do before getting to know her and, physical correction does not help either.
The regular lady vet we see usually comes in to room, greet Palette with happy voice first and, she sits on the floor and give her nice petting while she talks to us and then, after a while, she asks us to put her onto the table in the room, and gently examine Palette while she talks to her with gentle voice etc..
When we made an appointment for yearly checkup, I did not specify which vet we like to see, but from now on, I would make sure we get to see the lady vet who Palette likes.
It is true that, some dogs may act out at vet clinic just because they are not being used to be touched paws or muzzle etc, but at the same time, whether ones are groomers or vets, their handling skill is also important.
Choose the vet that takes time to get to know your dog and listen to you and your dogs, and when you go to vet clinic, it is helpful if you educate yourself on things like vaccination beforehand, and be the voice for your dogs. They cannot speak English and their health is depending on you.
On the same day, the vet asked about re-vaccination for Bordetella, and something else. Since I believe that vaccination is not going to be given without risk, and I do not see the point giving those vaccinations to Palette for the disease , for example, Bordetella, she would be less likely exposed to (She does not go to dog parks, she does not go doggy day care or any other places where many dogs are ). So, I said "No,thank you" for the re-vaccination.
Just like dog's diet I think that it should be tailor to each individual dog's life style and for some other vaccines, I would be happy if vet themselves keep educating themselves with recent studies on vaccines or protocol etc.
At the same vet clinic, we had been asked about re-vaccination by our regular vet, but she was more understanding and, she did not push it, but the vet on the yearly checkup day,who we met for the first time, was telling us to do "Titer" if not re-vaccination.
I was familiar with the term "Titer", but my husband was not so familiar with the term so, the vet explained about it.
So, what is "Titer"?
"Titer" is the name of the test, and this test measure the amount of antibody to disease.
According to the book titled "Stop the shot" by John Clifton, he explains that vet draw one ounce of blood, and the original sample is expressed with ratio 1:1, then discard one half of the blood, and replace it with a dilutant, and this first diluted solution is expressed with the ratio 1:2.
So, with the first step,the original blood sample was diluted by half.
Then, he explains, vet will test the solution to see if there were any antibody in the diluted sample. If there were, vet will dilute the diluted sample by half again and check the anti body in the sample.This second solution is expressed with ratio 1:4.
So, vet will keep diluting the sample and keep checking the antibody in the sample and when he saw no antibody is present, he would stop the dilution and he will look the ration of last solution. That number will be called "Titer number".
With common sense, higher the number is, the more anti body present in the blood, but it is not the test to check the immunity.
John writes, even if titer score were lower, it does not mean that the dog in question has no immunity to the virus. He writes that if the dog were vaccinated in puppyhood, it is most likely that the immunity is present, and it does not mean they need another shot.
So, although, our vet on that day gave us an impression that if the titer number were lower, it means Palette would need another shot, but I do not think it right considering it is not the test to check the immunity against the virus.
According to article written by Christie Kieth on "Titer", she writes immunity to specific virus is reliant to memory cells,which orders immune system to create the antibody and dispatch them to the infection.
To read the full article by Christie Kieth on "Titer", please click here .
According to Dr Schultz, who is a professor and chair of pathobiological sciences at school of veterinary medicine, he has been studying on vaccination since 1970's and he has learned that the immunity can last as long as dog's life time, and he also learned that we humans are over vaccinating our beloved furry friends.
He writes that side effects of over vaccinations are skin problems, allergic reactions, autoimmune disease etc..
To read full article written by Dr Schultz on vaccination, please click here.
Dr Ron Schultz, Dr Jean Dodds, and advocate for vaccination Kris Christine have launched the project called "Rabies Challenge Fund". With the Rabies Challenge Fund, they would try to get the evidence to show that the Rabies vaccine can last longer than 3 years, possibly 5 years, 7 years, and avoid unnecessary re-vaccination to cause adverse reaction from the vaccine.
To learn more on Rabies Challenge Fund at Rabies challenge fund website, please click here . You can also see the update on vaccination legislation by clicking the update button.
In the past, when Palette was a puppy, I assumed that everything what vet says is what we do for the health for Palette, but then, after switching the diet to raw diet and started paying more attention to overall health matter, I learned a lot more.
Learning about over-vaccination was one of them, and I hope more and more people would pay attention to what they are giving via vaccination and, I hope many more people would stop and think whether the vaccination in the question are necessary or not.
The vet we met for the first time on the yearly checkup recommended for "titer" for shots we have skipped, but like I stated, I do not see the point to even do "titer" for the disease like Bordetella because Palette does not go dog park, does not go groomers often, does not go to doggy daycare where many dogs are, and less likely exposed to the virus.
It is a conclusion of me weighing risk vs benefit.I prefer not over-vaccinate Palette.
We left the clinic after the talk, but Palette was acting as if to say "Get me out,get me out" facing toward the door that leads to the lobby right from the moment she came back from weigh-in/blood draw for Snap 4D test for tick/heartworm.
After Palette came back to exam room,where we were, after a while, the vet came in and started asking question on diet, and then subject moved to vaccination. Whole time we were talking with him, Palette was restless and she was acting unusual way.
I thought that after vet tech draw blood for snap 4D test for tick/heartworm check and weigh-in, Palette was to be getting physical exam such as teeth,ear,eyes, heart etc.. just like regular lady vet does in front of us.
But it wasn't. She came back to room, and vet walked into the room, and he talked about she has nice white teeth etc.. and it seemed like he already checked her behind the door,away from us.
Later, I found out why she is usually calm with the lady vet, who we see normally and acting out on that day.
After the vaccination/titer test talk, I had something I wanted to ask on that day, and he sat on the floor and tried to check Palette but,one point time, she did not like the way the vet touched or something and she growled at the vet.
For me, it was strange because she does not mind being touched whether it is muzzle,paws, other area and, usually, she stands still and let our regular lady vet do whatever she wanted to do such as pulling up the lips or check ears, check heart, whatever. And she loves to come to the lady vet and being pet.
With the vet we saw on that day, Palette rather wanted to be away from him. With the regular lady vet, her ears goes flat on her head, head low, butt up in the air, butt wagging and trot to her and lay down in front of her and while she pet her, she pants with her tongue hanging out.
Now, when Palette growled at the vet, he yanked her leash, placing finger in front of her and said "no" with stern tone.
I train Palette with clicker training; the positive training method, and I do not like physical correction method.
After observing how he dealt with Palette's not so good manner, I would imagine Palette must have been so stressed out behind the doors.
Palette's very first local vet we used to go to was also the one Palette did not wanted to come closer, like the vet we saw on that day. Common things I see between the two vets are, they seemed not taking time to warm up with Palette via petting or calling her name with happy voice etc and rather, they are sort of like the one who come in and do what they need to do before getting to know her and, physical correction does not help either.
The regular lady vet we see usually comes in to room, greet Palette with happy voice first and, she sits on the floor and give her nice petting while she talks to us and then, after a while, she asks us to put her onto the table in the room, and gently examine Palette while she talks to her with gentle voice etc..
When we made an appointment for yearly checkup, I did not specify which vet we like to see, but from now on, I would make sure we get to see the lady vet who Palette likes.
It is true that, some dogs may act out at vet clinic just because they are not being used to be touched paws or muzzle etc, but at the same time, whether ones are groomers or vets, their handling skill is also important.
Choose the vet that takes time to get to know your dog and listen to you and your dogs, and when you go to vet clinic, it is helpful if you educate yourself on things like vaccination beforehand, and be the voice for your dogs. They cannot speak English and their health is depending on you.
Posted by yassy at 1/20/2011 9:42 AM 
Categories: Dog Health
Tags: dogs titer test vaccination for dogs
Categories: Dog Health
Tags: dogs titer test vaccination for dogs
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