A trainer I admire who has a large social media presence asked her followers about how they manage their adult dogs’ vaccinations against parvovirus: Do they vaccinate once a year, once every three years, never, or titer and then decide?
I’m pretty sure she specified parvovirus to distinguish this vaccination from the only legally mandated vaccine (rabies) and because parvo is a ubiquitous and serious disease, and its vaccination is considered a “core” vaccine—recommended for all dogs, irrespective of lifestyle, unless there is a specific medical reason not to vaccinate.
I’m also sure that she specified vaccines for adult dogs because while there are a variety of puppy vaccination schedules that are more appropriate for puppies in different situations—from a breeding farm similar to a quarantine facility, to a backyard-breeder, to a shelter or rescue—there shouldn’t be any debate whatsoever about the fact that all puppies should receive their core vaccines (distemper, adenovirus, and parvovirus, and perhaps also including parainfluenza). The guidelines published by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), which are followed by most veterinarians, recommends that puppies who are younger than 16 weeks old at the time of their first vaccination receive three doses of a combination shot containing the core vaccines between the ages of 6 and 16 weeks, with doses spaced two to four weeks apart. If the puppy is older than 16 weeks old at the time of his first vaccination, AAHA recommends that two combination core vaccinations, given two to four weeks apart.
AAHA recommends that adult dogs who have received those core puppy shots be revaccinated a year after the last puppy vaccinations, and every three years thereafter. This is a somewhat reduced schedule from decades ago, when most veterinarians would recommend giving all the core vaccines to every adult dog annually (and a few old-timers still do!).
Most people go along with their veterinarians’ recommendations, and most veterinarians follow the AAHA guidelines—but some owners do depart from these guidelines, which is what my trainer friend was trying to investigate.
She has not yet tabulated the results from her posts, but she invited people to comment with details about their vaccination protocols for their dogs and all I can say is, WOW! There is a ton of variation in how people deal with vaccination decisions.
Many dog owners, including myself, are concerned about the potential for adverse health effects from overvaccinating, and we seek to reduce the number of unnecessary vaccinations our dogs receive. In my view, the only responsible way to skip recommended vaccinations is to get a vaccine titer test, which can tell you if the dog has circulating antibodies for the diseases in question. If the test results indicate that the dog does possess circulating antibodies for the diseases tested for, the odds are very good that a “booster” vaccination is not needed.
When I adopted Otto in 2008, he had received 4 combination vaccinations, starting at an estimated 4 to 5 months old, and was about 7 months old. He proved to have moderate seasonal allergies, which was one of the reasons I decided to use titer tests, which I had been reading about (and writing about), to monitor his antibody levels before I made any core-vaccination decisions. (Some veterinarians speculate that dogs who have allergies are more prone to developing adverse reactions to vaccinations.)
I had parvo and distemper antibody titer tests performed for Otto in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2017, and 2019, and every time, the results showed positive antibody titers, which is indicative of protection from those diseases—which I used as a justification to decline to vaccinate him for those core diseases. (He was never vaccinated for distemper and parvo after his youth in the shelter in 2008, and lived to nearly 16 years old.) He did receive the core rabies vaccinations that are required by law until his very last years (when I declined even those).
[Editor’s note: Many people have mentioned the high cost of using titer tests. I strongly recommend the Companion Animal Vaccines and Immuno-Diagnostic Service (CAVIDS) Laboratory at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, School of Veterinary Medicine. They charge just $50 for a distemper/parvo vaccine titer test. You do have to get your veterinarian to draw a blood sample (following the instructions on the CAVIDS Lab webpage) and either ship the sample yourself or ask your vet to ship it. Some vets will draw an extra blood sample during your dog’s regular health exam for a low fee; others ask more. You can mail (via Priority) or ship the sample directly the the lab, and the results will be sent to you and your veterinarian.]I was fortunate in not having to ever board Otto—many boarding facilities refuse service unless a dog’s vaccines are current within three years—and I didn’t compete with him in any events where vaccines would have been required. However, every time we saw a new veterinarian, I would have to have a discussion with them about why I wasn’t giving him those core vaccines, and showing them all of his titer tests (or agreeing to a new test). Although this was somewhat costly, I felt like I was doing my part to educate his veterinarians about the value of antibody titer tests and why continually revaccinating healthy adult dogs is perhaps not necessary.
I didn’t participate in my trainer friend’s poll or leave a comment, though I will be interested to see the results. I am curious, though, if WDJ’s readers will mirror her followers’ results, or if they would vary. If you’re read this far, please comment!
How often do you vaccinate your adult dog for parvovirus? (Let’s not talk about puppies, rabies, or non-core vaccines in this discussion.)
Vaccination when we got her at age 1 now at age 6 still show protected. Left two vets because they would not do the titter test.
Good riddance to the 2 Vets.
I have had cocker spaniels for 30 years. The last 2 were tittered after their core vaccines. I refuse to over vaccinate my dogs. My last guy was over 16 when he went to The Bridge. Recently got a new one. Breeder did the first set 5/1. Skipping week 12 and just vaccinating at 16 weeks. This time Parvo and Distemper will be done separately sufficiently spaced out. Then I will do annual titters. ENOUGH w/over vaccinating dogs. The end result causes more harm than good, IMO.
We have two dogs. One born in rescue had a puppy vaccine series and booster at one year old and since then annual titers showing adequate immune response. He is 6 years old. The other dog was surrendered to rescue at about one year old. She had been vaccinated as a puppy (unsure of schedule) and got a booster when she was surrendered. Since then she has had annual titers showing adequate immune response. She is 6, will turn 7 in January. I’ve discovered that many Vets and their staff don’t know how to read titers and I’ve had to do some education about that. This is definitely more expensive than a vaccine booster every three years, but I think it makes more sense than blindly re vaccinating. Just yesterday had one of the dogs in for their 6 month wellness and they didn’t even ask me about vaccines, just the titers.
I vaccinate one year after they have received their puppy vaccines and then do yearly titers for the rest of their life. Over 20 years and several dogs later, none of them had low titers requiring further vaccination.
I titer my dogs annually for distemper & parvo and have had positive (and consistent) titers for their whole lives post puppy core vaccinations. Their ages are: 11, 10, 8 & 3.
I have never vaccinated any of my dogs for Parvo after their initial puppy shots. Caesar, my basenji lived to be 15. Ebony, my labrador retriever also lived until 15 years of age. Bodhi, my pitbull, is presently 14 years old.
Both of my dogs are rescues, so I have no idea if or when they had any vaccinations. Both were vaccinated when I got them, and I have only vaccinated them twice myself with the Spectra 12 vaccination since. This last being a month ago because leptospirosis is becoming prevalent. I’ve had Toby for 10 years, and Tycho for 4. I do not believe in yearly vaccinations, nor do I have the money to titer. Toby is at least 11 and Tycho is 5.
Please see the Editor’s note added to the text above regarding a lower-cost way to run titers.
–NK
We titer test our adult dogs for parvo and distemper. We had a Lhasa Apso that we adopted in 2007. She got an updated DHPP had and her face blew up like a water balloon. Ever since then, we titer test. None of our dogs have needed an updated distemper or Pasco vaccination. The Lhasa passed in 2020 – she was 16 years old when she passed. We have followed that protocol with every dog since then. The 2 dogs we have now are titer tested and we do board them and they go to daycare 2x week. I had to educate the facility about titer tests and why over vaccinating is not good. It is more expensive, but better for our dogs in the long run.
After puppy vaccinations I only did periodic titer testing for all 3 PBGV’s who lived to 15+ years. I now have a new pup, just turning 2, who has had puppy shots. I will do a titer test this year and if all is well, will probably skip for 2 years.
I rescued a dog when she was 5 months old. The rescue’s vet followed AAHA guidelines for vaccination. One year after those initial vaccinations I started titer testing annually. That dog lived to be 16 years old and never required another core vaccine. I rescued my current dog at 10 weeks old. Again the rescue’s vet followed AAHA guidelines for vaccinations. At the one year mark I did a titer test. I was shocked to find out that my dog wasn’t adequately protected! Lots of reasons why that can happen, but it was a good lesson on the importance of on-going vaccine surveillance whether you choose to administer vaccinations or do titer testing. That dog is 15 years old now and he remained adequately protected after receiving additional vaccines at the one year mark. After much deliberation about bite risks and their legal ramifications, I discontinued the required rabies vaccination at the age of 12 for both dogs. Neither was at high risk for contracting the disease and I felt it was the best choice for them.
I have an 18 yo chi and a n 11 yo Pit mix since they were pups. Both rescues. They have had their vaccines for the first rounds then titered since then. Never needed to be revaccinated. My chi has health issues right now and he is due for a rabies which I will refuse. Titers don’t count in GA and neither do health issues for rabies. He is deaf blind , has no teeth and is very arthritic. No threat to anyone and he goes nowhere without me. I lost a cat to cancer just months after his repeated rabies vaccines. Learned my lesson
My rescued our puppy at the beginning of COVID and because of regulations at 16 weeks he had, had all his vaccinations. Unfortunately as the vaccinations were done so close together Herbie does have auto immune diseases. In 2021 I tittered and he still had immunity for all the main diseases such as Parvo. I wanted to titter him this year but instead of $200+ bill for the titters it has grown to a whooping $900+. I certainly don’t want to vaccinate as we have just finished a long round of steroids for Discoid Lupus (it comes and goes) and he doesn’t go to day care or dog parks but that is a lot of money (pet insurance does not cover it).
That’s a CRAZY price for running a titer test. I almost wonder if your veterinarian is trying to discourage this approach! See the Editor’s Note added to the main text above for a much lower cost source for titer testing. — NK
I stopped vaccinations on my Norfolk at age 7 when I became aware of the risks. At that time, I had to argue with the vet for the titer tests which I had done every 2 to 3 years. She died at age 15 with healthy titers. My rescue Miniature Schnauzer got his last vaccines at age 2 1/2 when I adopted. Once again, his titers remained strong until his passing at age 14 1/2. My present rescue Shih-Tzu mix (13 yrs) is under the same protocol. Based on this 30+ years of experience, I continue to titer every 2-3 years. Not one of my dogs needed a booster over all these years.
Can anyone explain to me why my 10 lb dog receives the same dose as a 120 lb dog? I can’t understand why that is the protocol.