Antibody Titre Testing in Dogs and Cats
Vaccination is likely to be the first thing that a pet owner would think of after getting a new pet. It is one of the most effective ways to protect a dog or cat from some contagious and possibly fatal diseases.
With the advancements in veterinary medicine, many pet owners are asking: "Are we over-vaccinating our pets?"
Research suggests that pets vaccinated with core vaccines, such as canine distemper virus (CDV), canine parvovirus (CPV), canine adenovirus (CAV), and feline parvovirus (FPV), may have longer-lasting immunity than what's indicated on vaccine labels. This has led to a growing interest in antibody titre testing, a tool used to assess whether your pet needs additional vaccinations.
How vaccines work
Vaccines are made up of killed or weakened viruses or bacteria, that trigger an immune response when introduced into the body. This immune response results in production of antibodies specific to each virus, as well as white blood cells that target and kill the virus. These antibodies last a long time in the body and this is the way the body “remembers” how to defend itself against an infection in future. However, each time a vaccine is administered, there is a risk that the immune system may cause an adverse reaction. So, when an animal is over-vaccinated (i.e. repeatedly vaccinated even when the body has an adequate immune response to the virus), we are increasing the chances of an adverse reaction happening.
Antibody titres (levels)
Antibody titre testing is a blood test that measures the level of antibodies in your pet's blood. Antibody titres tell us if the body has any antibodies present to fight off an infection if it occurs. If the test cannot detect any antibodies, it means that the immune response needs a vaccine booster to increase the antibody levels. If the result indicates that antibodies are present, then a vaccine booster is unnecessary at that time.
Occasionally, there is a small number of puppies and kittens who do not produce an adequate immune response despite completing the usual primary course of vaccination. Antibody titres allows us to identify these individuals and follow up with another vaccine booster to make sure they are well-protected from the above diseases.
Why Choose Antibody Titre Testing for Your Pet?
With new, fast, reliable in-house antibody titre test kits available, results of antibody titre tests take just 30 minutes. The results are available without having to wait days. This enables your veterinarian to make pertinent decisions regarding your pet's vaccination schedule and may even administer a booster vaccine on that same day.
Conclusion
If your pet has been vaccinated with a complete primary course of vaccines, or has suffered serious adverse reactions to the vaccine previously, then you may like to discuss with your vet the alternative of antibody titre testing the next time your pet’s vaccination is due.