Tag: American Veterinary Medical Association

Titer tests are a fabulous option for pet owners.  

A simple blood test.  No risk of an adverse vaccine reaction or over vaccinating, let alone the stress that pets incur during a vaccination.

Some vaccines can last up to the life of the pet.  

If your vet charges in the hundreds for a titer test, then keep looking.  I have seen prices in the $30. to $50. range.

It would make sense for city and state licensing offices to accept verification of titer antibodies in replacement of annual rabies shots.

Our towns are better off with healthy, happy pets.

By Kim Campbell Thornton

…Side effects from vaccinations range from mild itching and swelling to anaphylactic shock leading to death. Cats may develop vaccine sarcomas, which are cancers that develop at the site of the injection. And dogs may develop certain autoimmune diseases.

Veterinarians have suspected for years that annual vaccinations for cats and dogs aren’t necessary, but large, well-controlled studies just didn’t exist to prove it one way or the other. With the exception of rabies vaccine, the U.S. Department of Agriculture doesn’t require data beyond one year for any vaccine.

With that being the case, vaccine manufacturers arbitrarily recommended annual vaccinations, and most veterinarians, concerned about liability issues, concurred…

…There’s also an advantage to giving single rather than combination vaccines. “Giving more vaccinations increases the likelihood of side effects,” Welborn says. “Separating vaccinations allows the veterinarian to determine which vaccine caused a side effect if one occurs.”

If you’re concerned that your dog or cat will develop a vaccine-related health problem, but you want to make sure they’re protected against disease, annual titers are an economical alternative.

They’re reliable and costs are comparable to those for vaccinations….

Continue to the Article Here

http://www.nbcnews.com/

 Here are some of the possible side effects following a rabies shot.  Since we now know that side effects are more common than thought, including future sarcoma cancers at the injection site and life-long autoimmune diseases, wouldn’t it be wise to just do annual follow-up titer tests, rather than subject our pets to the following side effects for annual rabies shots?

1. Burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, “pins and needles”, or tingling feelings
2. confusion
3. cough
4. difficulty in moving
5. difficulty swallowing
6. fast heartbeat
7. feeling of discomfort
8. inflammation of joints
9. irritability
10. lack or loss of strength
11. muscle pain, stiffness, or weakness
12. paralysis or severe weakness of legs
13. puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
14. rash
15. seizures
16. shortness of breath
17. skin rash, hives, or redness
18. stiffness of arms, legs, or neck
19. swollen, painful, or tender lymph glands in the neck, armpit, or groin
20. tightness in chest
21. unusual tiredness
22. vomiting

More Common

1. Chills
2. dizziness
3. fever
4. general feeling of discomfort or illness
5. headache
6. itching, pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site
7. muscle or joint aches
8. nausea
9. stomach or abdominal pain
10. Bruising at the injection site
11. diarrhea

Possible side effects listed on Mayo Clinic site – reference Micromedex