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At a dog’s annual wellness exam, a “send out” titer test should be performed for distemper and parvo, which delivers actual number results. This generally takes two weeks. There are several U.S. universities that offer this testing, but Kansas State is the gold standard as they accumulated data used in donation-funded research which is being used to change archaic state laws regarding rabies vaccination requirements. These labs report “adequate” levels based on sterilizing immunity levels. Therefore, lower, or “inadequate” levels may reflect adequate memory immunity. Research has taught us what these numbers mean.

Distemper (CDV≥ 32) and Parvo (CPV≥ 80) are roughly equivalent to sterilizing immunity.

World renown immunologist, Dr. Ron Schultz of the University of Wisconsin-Madison VMTH has explained that his research shows: a CDV≥ 4 and a CPV≥ 20 are roughly equivalent to memory levels of immunity. 

Distemper/Panleukopenia (FPV≥ 40) and Herpes/Rhino (FVR≥ 16) and Calici (CIV≥ 32) for sterilizing immunity.                                 

Dr. Schultz’s research including challenge studies showed that these memory levels were protective: FPV≥ 8 and FVR≥ 2 and CIV≥ 4. Again, this means a pet with a memory level may become mildly ill if exposed but will “remember” the foreign invader and fight it off!    
                        

If a pet has a high titer, he does not need to be vaccinated with that antigen. If he has a low titer, despite a history of lots of exposure to that antigen (repeated vaccinations), then another vaccination is not going to “boost” him any further. In fact, repeating an unnecessary or ineffective vaccination could be harmful.

A decision to boost should be based on the pet’s age, lifestyle, other disorders present, the previous number of vaccines, and the guardian’s concerns about vaccine reactions. Always ask for a copy of your pet’s test results.

As it pertains to distemper/parvo, the most a titer drops in one year is in half.  So, depending on how high it starts, a doctor can predict how long it will remain at a protective level. Some dogs are checked annually to satisfy a kennel requirement, others are NOT checked NOR vaccinated for several years and then when re-checked have still been found to have protective levels. Obviously, this saves the pet a lot of vaccine-associated risks and the client a lot of money. Sometimes a new client whose pet has been vaccinated annually for many years receives his first titer test when older. Despite all that vaccine, we determine he’s a low responder! This tells us to stop vaccinating! The client has been wasting money and taking an unnecessary risk with his pet’s immune health. That pet needs to be careful where he goes, what he sniffs, and what he eats (i.e., dog poo). This individual level of doctor concern and consultation is the best for the patient, cements the veterinary-client relationship, and should be your expectation as a pet parent, not a pleasant surprise.

Rabies is a potentially fatal zoonotic disease that can be transmitted to your dog or cat via a bite or saliva in a wound from infected wildlife and then via your pet to you. The government requires that pets at risk be vaccinated. This injection is given multiple times during a pet’s lifespan. Is that necessary?

Your pet’s blood can be sent to Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Lab six weeks or one year after a rabies vaccination has been given to see if that pet has mounted an immune response, in other words, what is that pet’s rabies titer level?

European research and new US research do exist to assert what titer levels are protective against the rabies virus. Years ago, challenge studies based on time intervals since the last vaccination were performed for rabies. This is what dictates the 1-year initial, 3-year booster rule required in most states. A recently completed study has proven that the 3-year rabies vaccine protects for 7 years or more. Additionally, this same work has shown that any measurable titer level will protect against a rabies challenge. This fact is still not accepted by state legislatures where vaccination is still required to obtain a local dog license.

This rule is archaic and unsafe. Some dogs are non-responders, meaning that vaccination does NOT provide protection. Owners of these dogs are misled to believe that because their pet has been vaccinated it is protected. False! A simple titer test will demonstrate that these dogs are unprotected. Why assume a non-responder is protected when you can a titer test to check? Why re-vaccinate many times in a pet’s lifetime when a simple titer test will tell you if an additional booster is needed or not?

Some states allow for an exemption from rabies with a valid veterinary waiver. A client with a pet who has had a previous reaction, or who is afflicted with cancer or other chronic disorder, is going to appreciate a veterinarian who discourages the vaccination of an unhealthy patient.

Support state or federal changes to these archaic and unsafe rabies vaccination laws. Concerned pet parents across the country are joining forces, educating themselves and others, and signing petitions to encourage legislators to update outdated rabies laws and to be consistent with today’s science. We owe a world of debt to Dr. Ron Schultz, renowned immunologist and canine friend who was a chief investigator in the research provided by the Rabies Challenge Fund. We now have the science-based evidence to provide legislators with the facts to update the archaic legislation that puts our pets and society at risk. Veterinarians should be leading this movement to do what is right, scientific, and safe for the well-being of our pets and communities. As an informed pet parent, do not be afraid to speak up and tell your veterinarian that you want to do what is best for your pet’s health and the community and request a titer test!