There is a very particular kind of panic that happens when your dog’s booster reminder lands.
One minute you are making a brew. The next, you are reading five different opinions online, trying to figure out whether your dog definitely needs a booster (especially as, during COVID they were all delayed without issue?!), wondering whether asking the vet questions makes you difficult, and confused why everybody on Facebook seems to be arguing about it.
If that sounds familiar, you are not alone.
We speak to a lot of owners and breeders who are not trying to ‘avoid care’ for their dog. They are simply trying to make an informed decision with the right information to guide them.
That is where a little thing called titre testing can be useful.
A titre test is a simple type of blood test that checks whether your dog has measurable antibodies to certain diseases.
“STOP, but what is an antibody?” you ask! Antibodies are part of the body’s immune system. After a vaccination, the body produces antibodies which are like little soldiers that patrol the immune system for a period of time. So a titre test helps check whether those antibodies are still there and detectable.
Titre testing is certainly not about being “anti-vaccine”.
It is about asking a more specific question before automatically giving another booster: “Is there evidence that my dog may still have immunity (protection) from their previous vaccination? Or, do they actually need a booster?”
Our titre testing at North West Breeding Services is used to look at antibody levels linked to the common diseases that your dog’s normal core vaccines are given for (the DHP vaccine diseases).
These are:
These are serious diseases, which is why vaccination and immunity are both important conversations. The point of titre testing is not to dismiss those risks. It is to help owners, like you, understand whether there is evidence the body has immunity already, before making the next decision.
As I said, a titre test can help show whether antibodies are present (or not) for the 3 core diseases being checked.
If they are present and detectable, this supports the idea that your dog still has measurable immunity (protection) from their previous vaccination even if it was years ago.
If antibodies are not detected, then that’s when vaccinations might need to be discussed.
The important thing is that results should always be looked at in context. Your dog’s age, vaccine history, lifestyle, health status, travel, local risk and exposure all matter.
That is why we do not like one-size-fits-all advice.
This is one of the most common areas of confusion with titre testing.
Titre testing (for the DHP core vaccine diseases) does not include testing for Leptospirosis in the same way.
That’s because Leptospirosis is a separate conversation because it behaves differently, and decisions around Leptospirosis vaccination should be discussed based on your dog’s individual risk, lifestyle and veterinary advice. Our vet will always be happy to discuss this with you, offering personalised recommendations, suitable for your dog.
This is why titre testing should not be treated as a blanket replacement for every vaccine conversation. But it’s a very useful tool that can help with part of the picture.
Sometimes, yes, but timing matters.
Puppies are a little more complicated because they also get antibodies (those immunity protecting soldiers) from their mum maternal. So mum’s health and level of immunity, their age, vaccination timing and immune development can all affect what is going on.
For some puppies, titre testing may be a useful tool after their puppy vaccination course, to help understand whether they’ve worked as expected. But it is not usually as simple as testing a puppy at any random age and making a decision from that alone.
If you are unsure, the best first step is to get in touch with us and we will be happy to discuss suitability.
Our ethos is simple: Educate, do not alienate.
We are not here to tell every owner to make the same choice. We are here to help people understand their options.
All of those owners deserve clear information, calm guidance and support without pressure.
If your dog’s booster reminder has arrived and you are not sure what to do next, titre testing may be worth considering.
For a limited time, we’re offering discounted titre tests!...
In clinic for a cost of £89.99
Home visits from £149.99
If you would like to check whether titre testing may be suitable for your dog, message us with your dog’s age, vaccination history and whether you would prefer an in-clinic or mobile appointment.
And if you would like more owner and breeder education from NWBS, you can also join our mailing list here: https://northwestbreedingservices.eo.page/news
Clear information. Calm conversations. Educated decisions.
Our desire is to work within a world
where our expertise makes a difference.
