Titer Testing
What is a Titer (pronounced "tighter") and why would I get one?
A Titer Blood Test measures existing antibodies that are actually circulating in the blood.
"Low Titers" do not show lack of immunity; they show lack of exposure to the disease.
Without exposure, the immune system wont expend resources to make lots of unnecessary antibodies that float around doing nothing.
Interesting fact: Titer Tests are important for puppies because if they are vaccinated before they need it, while their mother's antibodies protect them, their immune systems will not make antibodies in response to their initial vaccination.
A positive titer (even in small amounts) proves the immune system knows how to make that antibody. Once made, an antibody is remembered by cells, and can be produced any time.
Interesting fact: A Titer Test can prove immunity to some diseases even if there has never been a vaccination against that disease, because the immune system can create antibodies from exposure to a disease, even without a vaccination.
Cell-mediated response, or "Cell-memory," can't be shown by a titer test, which is why even "low titers" demonstrate immunity.
(Only research labs use the expensive assay test for this readiness of the immune system to arm itself against a disease agent.)
Interesting fact: Long-lived "B-Cells," which carry the memory to make antibodies, actually transform themselves into plasma cells to manufacturer antibodies when they detect the disease agent again.
The immune system mass produces new versions of the antibody if it detects the disease agent, unless it is prevented by an immunity suppressing condition or drug, like over-vaccination or steroids. Pets with conditions that impact the immune system should tested more frequently than healthy pets.
Interesting fact: Distemper is actually diagnosed with a Titer Test that shows a quadrupled production o distemper antibodies.
Re-vaccination does not stimulate further immunity, and may only confuse and over-tax the immune system.
Interesting Fact: Vaccine manufacturer GlaxoSmithKline CEO admitted publicly that any drug would have only on average a 30% effectiveness rate due to the individual genetic differences in those receiving them.
If you choose to use a rabies titer in lieu of vaccination, we recommend you go through the process of getting a waiver from your vet for legal exemption.
With increasing evidence correlating vaccination with chronic disease we are excited to offer practical alternatives to these disease prevention dilemmas.
Running a titer blood test allows you to forgo the potential side effects of vaccines such as anaphylaxis, soft tissue sarcomas, laryngeal paralysis, allergies, immune-mediated reactions, infectious/inflammatory disorders, vaccine-induced immuno-suppression, toxicity, etc.
It is common knowledge among vets that vaccination does not ensure immunity. Titer Tests were created to detect actual immunity to a disease.