Page 24 - Cinci 2018

Vaccine or Titer? 24 Ad Rates & Info: 513-520-6077
Vaccine or Titer?

By R.E. Neubauer, D.V.M., M.B.S., N.D. ingly, the rabies vaccination is the only
vaccine required by law, but it is also the
The vaccine issue has become quite vaccine that causes the greatest number
controversial over the past several years of adverse reactions. Consider also that
which, in my opinion, is more due to the running titers for rabies does not validate
American Veterinary Medical Association that the animal is protected, but the same
than the small animal practitioners. So, titer result is used to prove immunization
why would this be true if vaccines are status when transporting dogs/cats out
safe and necessary? And if they are not of the continental USA.
necessary, why do so many veterinar-
ians require vaccines be given every one In my opinion, vaccinations are im-
to three years? If you are a responsible portant when given at the proper time,
dog/cat caregiver, you obviously want but over-vaccination can lead to auto-
the best medical care/advice for your stimulation against the body’s own
loved one. DNA. This has been proven to lead to
cancerous tumors at the injection site,
Because information is easy to obtain as well as clinical problems associated
in today’s world, be it true or false, ac- with the thyroid, heart, red blood cells,
curate or misleading, one should do his and connective tissues.
homework in order to ensure he is re-
ceiving true and accurate information in In conclusion, think about vaccines
the subject being investigated. Antibody as a positive protection, but realize that
levels to disease pathogens (viruses) are over-doing stimulation may bring about
acquired in one of two ways: 1) natural inflammatory reactions that end up be-
exposure, i.e. natural immunity, and 2) ing chronic problems for your pet. Titer
purposeful exposure (vaccination), i.e. evaluation may be the answer to keep-
passive immunity. If vaccines are given, ing the vaccines to a minimum and your
it should be when the immune system loved one’s health at a maximum.
is prepared to develop an antibody re-
sponse (protection); for pups and kittens Dr. R.E. Neubauer, the Natural Pet Dr.
this would be at the 8, 12,and 16 week new location: Mt. Healthy Animal Hospital
age levels.
2818 Blue Rock Rd., Cincinnati
Let’s assume vaccines were given at naturalpetdr@gmail.com
these ages, or natural exposure without 513-931-9127.
death occurred -- how would one know
if the animal in question was protected?
Your veterinarian can determine this with
a simple blood test called a titer, which
can be done in the hospital or sent out to
a local laboratory. This test will measure
antibody response indicating a positive
(good-protection) or negative (not pro-
tected) level. Because there are multiple
vaccines available, and not all are neces-
sary, according to the American Animal
Hospital Association, the caregiver must
be aware of which are recommended
(these are called CORE vaccines) and
those which are not required. Interest-
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