Titer Basics

Various labs are able to run what is called a titer, a number value predetermined to show if there is adequate level of protection against a specific disease. This test result can offer some level of assurance that the pet is protected from disease, however, there has always been some question about protection in the “real world”. How well protected is the animal really if challenged by a virulent strain of virus? Or if the animal’s immune system is not at an optimal level? Or if another disease process is also ongoing? There is no way to know how long the animal’s titer level will remain at that protective level either.

This is where the debate comes in. How is adequate protection determined? Does every animal need to be at the optimal protective level? What is the animal’s risk of exposure to a particular disease? How does a veterinarian decide, along with the pet’s families, what is best for each individual animal? What are core vaccines? Which diseases are dangerous to humans? When is a vaccine more harmful than risk of disease?

Not all of these questions can be answered within the scope of this article, but it does offer the opportunity for discussion and raises awareness of an interesting dilemma confronting veterinarians and pet owners.

Ultimately, each animal must be treated as an individual with vaccine needs or titers being tailored to each animal’s situation. The one exception should be Rabies vaccine. Rabies is a human health threat with no treatment available, and Rabies is an active threat in all of New Jersey. A Rabies titer is not legally considered acceptable proof of vaccination, and in case of a bite, only a current vaccination certificate is acceptable. In rare instances, a veterinarian may deem a patient unable to safely receive a Rabies vaccine, and appropriate forms must be filled out.