Titer Testing
Measuring Your Pet's Immunity
There is no debate about the importance of vaccinating your cat or dog. Vaccinations protect them from deadly diseases such as parvovirus, distemper and rabies.
However, it is possible that yearly vaccinations may not always be necessary since your pet may still have immunity.
Over-vaccinating your pet can cause a host of medical issues such as hypersensitivity reactions and autoimmune diseases. To help put pet parents' minds at ease, Dr. Marta Noberga at Aerowood Animal Hospital offers titer testing. This simple blood test helps us to determine the need for boosters based on your pet's antibody level.
As a pet parent, you want to know that you are doing what's best for your four-legged companion. With titer testing, you can better understand exactly how protected your pet is from a variety of diseases so that Dr. Nobrega can develop a customized vaccination schedule.
Is Titer Testing Right for Your Pet?
Titer tests can be especially important in the following situations:
- If your pet travels often and is frequently exposed to diseases
- If your pet has experienced adverse reactions to vaccines
- If your pet is unwell, especially with immune-mediated diseases or cancer
- If your pet is taking immune-suppressing medications, such as steroids, chemotherapeutic agents, or immune-modulating drugs
- If you adopt a dog with an unknown vaccine history. Titer testing can indicate what they’ve already received or been exposed to
- If your pet is a 'non-responder.' Meaning that after multiple vaccinations, they never reach a protective antibody level. This may mean your pet is more susceptible to diseases and may require lifestyle changes to accommodate their immune status
How to Keep Your Pet Safe From Infectious Diseases
We work closely with pet parents to determine the best approach to preventive care for their precious companions with a focus on natural health and wellness practices.
To safeguard your pet against infectious diseases we recommend:
- Taking your pet for a routine examination once or twice a year
- Asking your veterinarian about natural and conventional flea and tick preventives
- Monitoring your cat or dog for heartworm disease and speak to your veterinarian about the best approach to using conventional heartworm prevention medications
- Having fecal testing performed once or twice yearly to check for indications of internal parasites
New Patients Welcome
At Aerowood Animal Hospital, we are always accepting new patients. Our experienced veterinary team is passionate about the health of companion animals in the Bellevue area and can't wait to welcome you and your pet to our veterinary family.