this is an artice from info@barkleigh.com, from their animal behavior spring e-magazine now online.
Joan Camilli, owner of Fancy Tails Grooming in Dracut, M.A. lost her beloved dog one day after his routine rabies vaccination.
Most state laws require vaccinations on a one to three year basis, depending on the type of vaccination. This was the case in Massachusetts, home to Louie. A pathology report showed Louie's immune system was fighting an exsisting virus and became stressed after his rabies vaccination.
Joan Camilli has since learned of titer testing, a blood test to determine the strength of a pet's immune system against viral diseases. The test shows the level of immunity against certain diseases, borderline or low titer values indicate a risk for contracting a virus and the need for a booster shot. However, high titer values indicate "protection" from the disease, deeming the vaccination unnecessary.
The good news is titer testing is now more affordable and more available in veterinary clinics. A titer test can be administered during your pet's annual check up with results in 15 minutes. It is suggested that measuring the titers of two vaccines, canine parvovirus and canine distemper virus, will provide a good view of the competence of your pet's overall immune system. The bad new is that state laws still require annual vaccinations even if the pet is considered immune based upon high titer values.
Core vaccinations for puppies link between over vaccinating and chronic illnesses, such as anemia, allergies, gastrointestinal and thyroid vaccinations. Other deciding factors are the lifestyle and environment of a pet, as well as travel habits.
In the years to come, it is hoped that titer testing will enable all veterinarians to customize your pet's health needs. As technology advances and the testing can be "certain" of no risk, state laws may change and allow pet owners and veterinarians to take control of vaccinations.
Aside from titer testing, other steps are being taken to ensure the future safety of our pets. Animal advocates and concerned veterinarians are coming together to change legislation and fund new studies.
The Rabies Challenge Fund Charitable Trust has been created to focus on the canine rabies vaccine. Specifically, to study the long term duration of immunity provided by the vaccine. Founder and C-Trustee, Kris L. Christine, lost her six year old canine pet, Meadow, when a malignant mast cell tumor developed at the site of his rabies injection. Failed attempts at removing the cancerous tumor resulted in the cancer spreading throughout his body, causing his death.
The Rabies Challenge fund is financing research at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine. Their goal is to extend the required interval for rabies boosters to five and then seven years. By eliminating the need for annual vaccinations, the research hopes to reduce the most commom vaccine reactions, including seizures, rashes, tumors and even death. Visit www.RabiesChallengeFund.com to learn more.
As for Joan Camilli, she is diligently researching and working to amend the laws regarding pet vaccinations, Jan stated, "It is easier to amend a law than it is to change it." She is working with a Massachusetts Senator to do just that. Their goal is for titer test results to be accepted in lieu of annual vaccinations. To learn more about Joan and Louie, visit www.fancytailsgrooming.com/specialpets
As for us all, maybe it is time to educate ourselves and get involved. Don't ever be afraid to ask questions.
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