Both of my dogs are "due" for their shots soon. With Kato and all his skin issues I am extremely concerned about him getting anything besides the mandatory rabies shot. This may sound like a dumb question, but how long does it usually take for the results of a titer test to be known?

hi
I had titers done on two of my dogs last year- got the results in less than a week. They were sent to Cornell.
Julie

I'm a big believer in titer's being drawn and only re-immunizing when needed.
Like Julie said, one week is the average turn around time for your vet to get the titer results.

Getting titer's to determine if immunizations are needed should be the SOP of knowledgable owner. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Thank you for the speedy response. After reading up on vaccines and the problems they can cause, I will be avoiding them at all costs. Correct me if I am wrong, <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> the only vaccine a dog over 1 year of age really requires is their rabies?

Well, the rabies vaccine is mandated by different State laws, so there's no getting around it.

And your dog can still get distemper or other diseases prevented by the timely application of a vaccine, but dogs don't need to be vaccinated each *year*, that's the big problem.

Do titer's and when they indicated a low level that shows that your dog is no longer protected, that's when to vaccinate.
Actually it's pretty easy once you get into the groove of testing titer's. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I guess I'm a lawbreaker as my retriever's rabies is overdue but so is my vet as he mentioned that his dog's levels are good after 7 years.
Kind of refreshing that he would check levels on his dog instead of just vaccinating like most. Not so refreshing that he's a lawbreaker like me. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

robert,
Friendly advice here so you can take it or leave it - but if your dog becomes involved in any incident and he's not immunized as per State law for rabies, you'll be *screwed*.

I was the Chairman of an Animal Control Board, trust me on this - if you saw the extra fines involved and the fact that you'll lose a lot of credibility in court if a case came up ( and your animal wasn't in compliance ), it's not worth the financial and legal risk.

And "lawbreakers", while sounding cute as a title, sounds less cute when you're paying those fines and losing your dog.
Think about it.

Another question on that end.

My state requires rabies every THREE years but I have dealt with Vets who will only give a one year certificate to dogs who work in the woods (hunting dogs and SAR dogs)- and will not consider titers for this.

Rabies is very much endemic in our area with foxes and racoons and we have encountered animals *thought* to be possibly rabid in the woods (fortunately without direct K9 contact)

So how to resolve that?

My vet does not routinely give lepto as she says they have not seen it here, however.

There will hopefully be a day when the rabies titer is accepted as well. Personally, I think the day for it is closer than we think and what it might actually 'take' is an incident and perhaps a lawsuit. A rabies titer is accepted in humans with NO questions asked!!!! It should be the same in animals. With ALL the information and vets that now also know and will stand behind decisions to not vaccinate yearly....perhaps we will see titers more accpeted!

I no longer do titers on my younger dogs for distemper /parvo (only vaccines I would consider anyway). I have not vaccinated most of my younger dogs and when I titered them at a year they would have a titer to both parvo and distemper (yes, without a vaccine for it!).

Titers are a good tool generally speaking, however, one needs to remember that a low titer does not mean that thier immunity is low. It just means that they have not come into contact with the virus recently. When they do, the body reacts/goes into action and again produces the antibodies needed. If you titered at this time you will get a 'high' reading.

I suppose one might then think that one of the best times to titer is after your dog has had lots of contact out in the environment and with other dogs. (as many will get immunity from the shed vaccine from vaccinated dogs in the environment).

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My state requires rabies every THREE years but I have dealt with Vets who will only give a one year certificate to dogs who work in the woods (hunting dogs and SAR dogs)- and will not consider titers for this.

Well, these vets need to do some reading and homework. The 3 year vaccine and the one year vaccine are the same thing. Secondly, revaccinating a dog that HAS immunity only makes them MORE at risk for the disease. Revaccinating does not 'boost' immunity!!!!!! It erases all memory cells of immunity and makes the body come up again with the immunity. How taxing is that on the body!!!!

Veternarians used to all get a rabies vaccine before they started practice. You can BET A LOT OF MONEY on the fact that they NEVER revaccinated themselves yearly for it!!! They would get a titer and it was found to last a very long time (lifetime).