Titre Testing
Measuring Your Dog's Immunity
There is no debate about the importance of vaccinating your 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, Pawsitive Veterinary Care offers titre 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 canine companion. Titre testing can help your veterinarian understand exactly how protected your pet is from a variety of diseases so they can develop a customized vaccination schedule.
Is Titre Testing Right for Your Dog?
Titre 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. Titre 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 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
Pawsitive Veterinary Care is accepting new patients! Our experienced veterinarians are passionate about the health of Kelowna's dogs and cats. Get in touch today to book your pet's first appointment.