When in doubt, titer. If you are unsure if your dog is fully protected from a disease, always do a titer test first before administering a vaccine they probably don't need. A titer test is a simple blood test that is used to detect the presence and amount of antibodies in a dog to determine if they have immunity from a given disease. When in doubt, titer.
Titer tests are typically not covered by insurance, and is out-of-pocket money well spent especially if your dog is above the age of 4 and has received all core vaccines already or is a pure breed. When in doubt, titer. Since vaccines have been designed to remain active and effective in the body for 7-15 years, it is extremely unlikely that he or she will need further vaccinations for the rest of their life. When in doubt, toter.
If your dog is a pure breed, vaccinating deliberately and carefully becomes even more important. For example, take any litter of pure bred pups. Their parents have been vaccinated, their parents parents' have been vaccinated and their parents parents' parents' have been vaccinated and so on. At this point, it is probable that immunity is most likely inherited from their parents. Asking for titer tests when your dog is a puppy, although it may be more expensive up front, could save you and your dog from the complications of too many vaccines. If you want to learn more about the complications of too many vaccines, also called vaccinosis, please click here.
Vaccines are also prescribed on a one-dose-fits all basis and not by individual metrics like body-weight. All dogs regardless of size ranging from a 3-pound Yorkie to 110-pound Saint Bernard get the same amount of vaccine. Vaccine manufacturers are not required to prove that their vaccine is safe in each breed that the vaccine is intended for. So, they aren't required to test to see if it is just as safe for the 3-pound yorkie as it is the 110-pound Saint Bernard.
Unfortunately, most pets with the "one size fits all" approach, which absolutely does not reflect how to optimize your dogs' health. Vets are not to blame here. Most are well-intentioned and work really hard. Big pharma and big kibble are the culprits and they dominate the entire industry. Vaccines should not be administered if your dog is sick, period.
If they are chronically sick with an autoimmune disease, cancer, or has an adverse reaction to vaccines, they should absolutely not be vaccinated and your vet should give you a medical exemption letter, which simply states that whatever vaccine poses a threat to the health and well-being of your dog. When in doubt titer.
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