Hello All,
My puppy who is going on 9 months soon, got her 1st rabies shot in August 2009, we did a titer test and just got the results back and unfortunately, she did not pass. Her results were between 1 to .1, and it SHOULD BE...OIE-FAVN rabies blood test was greater than or equal to 0.5 IU/ml(passing result).Our vet said that her immune system did not build enough antibodies and she needs to be vaccinated again and than 2 weeks thereafter run another titer. The only reason I decided to get her rabies vacination in the 1st place is so she can travel with my husband and I when we go on vacation to the mainland and back to Hawaii without quarantine. I'm torn because I don't want to over vaccinate her if it's not required. Also, if I don't revaccinate, she won't be able to travel with me either. Any suggestions on how long I should wait till I get her revaccinated? Or should I not do another rabies vacc and have her not travel with me? I'm open to suggestions. Overall she is pretty healthy, "Kenzie" is on the raw food diet, we think she's pretty much full grown at 18 lbs, she is 1/2 JRT and 1/2 CKC Spaniel. Thank you reading.
Marisa

Why did you titer a dog that just had it's rabies shots? Why is your vet concerned about the dog's titer levels for rabies anyway when the shot was given last month, and titer levels just plain don't count for rabies per the cdc? Was your dog exposed to something that would cause you to worry?

The shot should be good for one calendar year for the first shot, and usually 3 years for other shots following.

 Quote: Melissa Thom

Why did you titer a dog that just had it's rabies shots? Why is your vet concerned about the dog's titer levels for rabies anyway when the shot was given last month, and titer levels just plain don't count for rabies per the cdc? Was your dog exposed to something that would cause you to worry?

Hopefully Marisa won't kill me for replying to her post

The titer is the necessary protocol for returning to Hawaii with a dog after going to the mainland. One must prove that the titer came back within specs before the dog left Hawaii or the dog will be subject to a 4 month quarantine at a horrific state facility.

There was no exposure as Hawaii--like England, Australia, New Zealand and Guam--is rabies free.

The crux of Marisa's question is, what are the risks associated with re-vaccinating for rabies, given Kenzie's titer results, viz. the original vaccination.

She is agonizing over whether to re-vaccinate so Kenzie can travel to the mainland with her. On the one hand, she wants to bring Kenzie on vacation with her and doesn't want to leave Kenzie for an extended period of time. On the other, she does not want to do anything that would compromise Kenzie's health.

In other words, she is looking for constructive answers, not more questions.

Ah yes. Now it makes much more sense and I wish I could help more with such a matter. I had no idea Hawaii had such crazy travel restrictions, you'd think a normal tag would be good enough. Personally I think i'd just board my dog. These costs are insane.

http://hawaii.gov/hdoa/ai/aqs/info

10. I am a resident of Hawaii and want to take my pet out of the state on vacation. Do I have to complete the same requirements as pets arriving from the mainland? Return to top

Pets originating in Hawaii must complete the requirements outlined in the " CHECKLIST ONLY FOR RESIDENT DOGS AND CATS ORIGINATING FROM HAWAII AND RETURNING FOR THE 5-DAY-OR-LESS PROGRAM”.

Since Hawaii pets may not routinely be vaccinated for rabies, Hawaii residents should begin preparations at least 4 months or more ahead of planned travel. Two rabies vaccinations are required not less than three months apart, with the most recent vaccination not less than 14 days before departure from Hawaii.

While a pet does not have to stay outside of Hawaii for 120 days, the OIE-FAVN rabies blood test must be passed not less than 14 days before departure from Hawaii.

WARNING: DUE TO VARIABILITY IN THE TIME A TESTING LABORATORY MAY TAKE TO COMPLETE A TEST, IT IS STRONGLY RECOMMENDED THAT THE TEST BE DONE WELL IN ADVANCE OF DEPARTURE AND THAT YOU VERIFY YOUR PET HAS PASSED THE TEST PRIOR TO LEAVING THE STATE. WITHOUT A PASSING TEST RESULT AND REQUIRED VACCINATIONS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE, A PET WILL BE QUARANTINE FOR UP TO 120 DAYS UPON RETURN.

 Quote: Melissa Thom

Ah yes. Now it makes much more sense and I wish I could help more with such a matter. I had no idea Hawaii had such crazy travel restrictions, you'd think a normal tag would be good enough. Personally I think i'd just board my dog. These costs are insane.

http://hawaii.gov/hdoa/ai/aqs/info

Hi Melissa,
Yes, I do understand the craziness of Hawaii's quarantine laws, however, what I'm looking for as far as responses go, is it safe to revaccinate for rabies so soon after her 1st shot? I want to avoid over vacinnating my puppy Kenzie. I'm just curious to see what other people have to say on the matter before deciding on what to do. If the majority feel that I shouldn't go through with it, than I'll just have my mom puppy sit while we're on vacation.

Well, if you just vaccinated her last month, the rules state you must wait at least two more months (for a total of 3 months) minimum. Personally I'd wait as long as possible between the two sets of shots. When are you going on your trip?

Here's what would factor into my decision if it were my dog: how long after you have done the initial two shots, can you wait before revaccinating? 3 years? or will it depend on the titer, always? Even if she hasn't been revaccinated in like 5 years and can still pass a titer, would this be valid?

If I vacationed say, every year, but only had to revaccinate every say 3 years or have her titered after the first two, I'd do it - as long as I could wait a decent amount of time between the first two shots. Now, Im not sure what a "decent amount" of time is but where I live the first two shots are usually given one year apart. I'd probably want to wait at least 6-8 months minimum, but that's just me and not based on any research.

Hopefully others who know more about vaccines will chime in.

Hi Angela,
That was a very helpful response, thank you for that. I think I will definitely wait a while before revaccinating her. The shots are good for 3 years. However, according to Hawaii quarantine laws, the dogs must past the titer when traveling to and from Hawaii from the mainland. Hopefully others will chime in. Thanks again.

Marisa

Does anyone have any info on length of time from vaccination to when maximum antibodies will be present? Is there any chance that a titer in another month may yield better results?

If it were me, I would not want to vaccinate again so soon...