[Brodysmom]

I had Brody into the vet for his annual exam, heartworm test, bloodwork, and vaccination titers. His exam was great - his knees are firmly seated with no sign of luxation which was a relief. LP is such a problem in our breed. Teeth are excellent, good body condition, etc. I had a complete blood panel drawn, including thyroid. All blood values came back within normal range. Kidneys (BUN and creatinine), liver enzymes, electrolytes (potassium, calcium, mag, etc) as well as hemoglobin and T4 (thyroid). The vet said he was the picture of health. But what I was most interested in was his antibodies.

I had titers drawn to check immune response to parvo, distemper, and rabies (which takes longer and is pending). The parvo and distemper titers showed adequate response to vaccination, so I was thrilled to see those results.

Brody was vaccinated as a puppy at 10 weeks, 13 weeks, and 16 weeks. He had the rabies vaccine at 6 months. He has not had any vaccinations since and he is 2 1/2 years old. He will likely not be vaccinated again in his lifetime. The vet gave us a waiver for the rabies vaccine so we are in compliance with local and state laws.

I may titer again in a year or so but there is no reason to believe that vaccinations do not last for the life of the dog. Duration of immunity studies are proving that to be true.

Some good links in case of anyone is interested in titering and vaccination/immunology info:

TITER TEST

Age and long-term protective immunity in dogs and ... [J Comp Pathol. 2010] - PubMed result

Science of Vaccine Damage

Here's a copy of his titer results and a picture. Just because he's a good boy.

 

[Yoshismom]

Great news!

 

[KayC]

Tracy, that is great. I am sure his raw diet plays a big part in his perfect health and teeth. I havent had Zoey vaccinated since her rabbies (I waited until she was 1 year) either. I hope I don't have to.

 

[Adrienne]

Yay!!! Good Job Brody on your perfect health!

 

[Natti]

Excellent results!!

 

[widogmom]

My vet agrees with you about the vaccines - we have stopped vaccinating Kali since her immune-mediated thrombocytopenia, and have a waiver letter as well. I have been skeptical of the vaccine schedule since I found out that the one-year rabies and the three-year rabies are virtually identical (except for the price, of course).

 

[Brodysmom]

My vet agrees with you about the vaccines - we have stopped vaccinating Kali since her immune-mediated thrombocytopenia, and have a waiver letter as well. I have been skeptical of the vaccine schedule since I found out that the one-year rabies and the three-year rabies are virtually identical (except for the price, of course).

Awesome that you have a forward-thinking vet! Many aren't. Vaccines are a huge money maker for vets.

And the one year rabies and the three year rabies are EXACTLY the same product. The only thing that is different is the insert. The actual vaccine is identical.

 

[Amandarose531]

I'm not sure how it is about animal vaccines but I know giving the flu shot at work is A HUGE markup, I think we pay something like $0.10 per vaccine, and charge $30 per person so yeah do that math... you're totally right most vets love the cushion money when business is down.

 

[FireFox]

WOW excellent results!!! Well I am not suprised, just look at him - Brody looks like a picture of health his coat, his teeth, his energy!!!

 

[Chihuahuasloveme]

Very interesting I need to get these exemption letters for my crew ninja of course I will never vaccinate although my city bylaw office said we disnt need an exemption grrr this makes me so mad! I hate vets well the ones who push everything anyways

 

[elaina]

Great news you got , i'm so glad you posted this Tracy, the last vaccine my girls got was a 3 year rabies and 3 year distemper. when they are getting due for there next vaccine i will discuss this blood titer test with my Veteranarian. i'd much rather go that route if i can

 

[LostLakeLua]

This is very inspiring.
After quitting my job at the vet clinic this winter; I've been mentally trying to prepare where to go for Kahlua's vaccines and veterinary care.
I've decided I'm going to be that crazy lady who calls at the clinics in a 3 mile radius until I find one that agrees (or at least respects enough) with my standards of medical care.
I REFUSE to over-vaccinate my dog. She's not due until October so I have plenty of time to think... I'd LOVE to find a holistic vet near me but even after posting multiple ads on the IL/WI border Craigslists I haven't gotten a single recommendation...
Anyway thats just me rambling lol. Congrats Brody!! And you too Tracy; I suppose you had SOMETHING to do with his clean bill of health.

Edit to ask: If you don't mind saying how much was each Titer?? Did they have to draw additional blood; or was the same lab they sent it to able to use the original sample for his routine bloodwork as well??

 

[widogmom]

The only thing that makes me nervous about not vaccinating is the rabies vaccine - the document that my vet and I signed states that, if Kali bites anyone (she has never done so, but she is an American Water Spaniel and the potential is very real) she will be treated as an unvaccinated dog and quarantined for two weeks. At her age and considering her medical condition, it is unlikely that she would survive quarantine...so you know that I am very, very careful about who she interacts with! We don't have much choice - the vaccines could kill her, so we just go with careful.

 

[widogmom]

I've decided I'm going to be that crazy lady who calls at the clinics in a 3 mile radius until I find one that agrees (or at least respects enough) with my standards of medical care.

That's not crazy - I know people who go to vets 20 miles away regularly to get the holistic/natural treatment their dogs need. I take Kali to a vet 45 miles away for cold laser because my vet doesn't offer it - and he's cool with that. It is so important to have a vet that listens to you and respects your opinion - believe me, we have our share of cow doctors around here who are heartworm-optional, disposable-dog vets, who know nothing of pain management or natural healing - and don't even get me started on how cats are treated as second-class citizens! Sounds to me like you're being a good, thorough Dog Mom!

 

[Brodysmom]

The only thing that makes me nervous about not vaccinating is the rabies vaccine - the document that my vet and I signed states that, if Kali bites anyone (she has never done so, but she is an American Water Spaniel and the potential is very real) she will be treated as an unvaccinated dog and quarantined for two weeks. At her age and considering her medical condition, it is unlikely that she would survive quarantine...so you know that I am very, very careful about who she interacts with! We don't have much choice - the vaccines could kill her, so we just go with careful.

I think you are doing the responsible thing. You are between a rock and a hard place it sounds like. We all have to do what we are most comfortable with.

This is very inspiring.

Edit to ask: If you don't mind saying how much was each Titer?? Did they have to draw additional blood; or was the same lab they sent it to able to use the original sample for his routine bloodwork as well??

They drew 7 ml's of blood. I'm not sure how that was divided up for the titers and his bloodwork. The cost was $65 for the distemper/parvo titer. The rabies titer was very expensive. It was $130. There are only 3 labs in the US that do the rabies titer and it takes over 2 weeks to get back. (We are still waiting). I think it's expensive because rabies is governed by local and state law, so there's not much wiggle room. You can choose not to give regular vaccines. But it is the law to have rabies, or an exemption by your vet.

 

[LostLakeLua]

Yeah; I haven't had any of mine vaccinated for distemper at all except for the initial ones. I admit I haven't done titers either; but I still haven't bothered to "booster" them since they're not required anyway.
The only one I'm having second thoughts on (except for rabies, which I'd gladly pay the price for) is bordetella/kennel cough. It's not required by LAW, but it IS required by a lot of the dog-friendly places I like taking mine too. Our humane society actually has a dog park to which the proceeds benefit; and it's never really busy so I'd love to take Kahlua there... but they do require they be vaccinated against bordetella; and I TOTALLY understand why... I'm just hesitant to give her anything that SHE doesn't need...

 

[2Cheese]

That's awesome Tracy!!! Addy is due for her vaccines next month and I was going to do titers as well. I was wondering though...will you have to do a titer every year for rabies?

 

[Brodysmom]

That's awesome Tracy!!! Addy is due for her vaccines next month and I was going to do titers as well. I was wondering though...will you have to do a titer every year for rabies?

No, my vet gave me an exemption. So Brody is compliant with local and state laws. If his rabies titer comes back showing adequate immunity, and I believe it will - it's still pending, then he won't be vaccinated again. :hello1:

 

[2Cheese]

No, my vet gave me an exemption. So Brody is compliant with local and state laws. If his rabies titer comes back showing adequate immunity, and I believe it will - it's still pending, then he won't be vaccinated again. :hello1:

That's awesome!!!! Im going to talk to my vet!! I was just there the other day and asked him about Lacey's vaccine. She is 6mos now and Im still trying to hold off. He said he will not inject her with the full syringe. He doesnt feel the need to. So I find some comfort in that.

But dang....the price of the titer is worth the exemption :hello1:

 

[Brodysmom]

but dang....the price of the titer is worth the exemption :hello1:

exactly.