Vaccination Titre Testing

As we enter the age of people more and more questioning the need for so many and so regular vaccines the titre testing processes have emerged. For many years vets automatically gave boosters annually when in fact the data sheets to the vaccines from the manufacturers actually often said less frequent intervals were recommended. At the same time some felt that over vaccinating was affecting immune systems and causing reactions in some dogs.

Many vets embraced this less frequent vaccination mentality but others found it hard to move on. If you had concerns an obvious answer was to take a blood test and check if your dog still had immunity or if he or she needed a further booster. In most cases the immunity has been found to last for years and some dogs have not needed any further boosters after their initial vaccinations but have remained protected.

At one time this area had a degree of radicalism and therefore controversy about it but nowadays it is widely accepted and indeed DEFRA and other international bodies now accept certificated titre testing as proof of disease protection for international animal travel. This aspect of veterinary medicine is not only offered by vets, at varying costs which are often quite high, but also other veterinary professionals working with vets to provide the service under the quality control of an approved supplier.

All vaccinations can be checked but the two most common checks are the status of the routine DHP, Distemper, Hepatitis and Parvovirus – the standard vaccination given to UK dogs.

At our event we offer DHP checking delivered under the internationally established Vaccicheck system and delivered by Dr Richard Irvine.