Titer Tests canine vaccinations; over-vaccinations of our canines and felines;

Question
QUESTION: Hi Marie,
Thank you for volunteering your time to help with this subject.  It is very difficult to find good information since this is not a practice that everyone beleives in.  

I adopted my dog (3 year old Great Dane) from rescue 2 years ago.  He is in good health.  He is currently kibble fed.  He received vaccines a couple weeks before I adopted him.  I have had him to my vet twice so far since adoption for check-ups.  This year the vet said that he will need shots.  I have read a lot of information stating that overvaccinating can cause major problems so I would like to ask the vet to do a Titer Test to check his immunity to determine if vaccines are actually necessary at this time.  I've read that the tests that I should have done are parvo, distemper & rabies.  However, I have not been able to find what the dog's levels should be.  Can you recommend a website or a book that contains this information?  I would like to know what I am talking about when I speak to the vet about this.

Thanks for your time and assistance,
Kristin

ANSWER: Good For You Kristin -  You want to do blood titer testing rather than over-vaccinating your Grate Dane....
Here is a site that may help:
Dr. Dodd is wonderful....
study her links - all very helpful...  
She wants you to vaccinate but at limited times in a pet's life.  

Your vet many not agree but remember that RABIES is the only vaccination that is required by each state and many countries.
If you need more info - contact me off the site here:  mtnmom@gci.net

Also, stop by my little NuVET and Bullie dog web site, too...
http://www.apluspetcare.com/untitled4.html


BEST wishes
Marie Peppers
Ask the pet Nurse
mtnmom@gci.net
http://www.wellpet.org/vaccines/dodds-schedule.htm

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Marie,
Thanks for your very quick reply!  The link for the website you recommended did not come through.  Would you mind re-posting it?

Thanks,
Kristin

Answer
Hi - she is easy to find ( Dr Dodd)
Just do a google search on

Dr.Dodd vaccines

YOU will get loads of links to her info:

Also, join our free yahoo group:

HOW to save money on your VET bills
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/nuvetsavesmoneyonvetbills/