Titrate - tailor-made vaccination

Titration in puppies

Immediately after birth, puppies receive antibodies (antibodies) through their first mother's milk (colostrum or colostrum) that provide protection against infectious and deadly diseases. These so-called maternal antibodies are temporary and gradually disappear, but may be present in the puppies' blood for up to 20 weeks or more. However, if the mother dog has no or too few antibodies, the puppies will not receive them through the colostrum and they will be unprotected! It is important to protect the puppies at the right time by means of a vaccination that produces antibodies that ensure lasting immunity.

The purpose of a vaccination is to make dogs immune to certain diseases. However, it is a misconception to think that all animals that have been vaccinated are actually protected. Vaccines are not always successful in young animals that are still protected by the maternal antibodies. Puppies are usually vaccinated at 6, 9 and 12 weeks. They are then given one last vaccine at one year and then every 3 years they are vaccinated against contagious hepatitis, parvo and distemper. Most puppies are vaccinated several times because it is known that maternal antibodies can prevent a vaccination from working. By regularly administering a vaccine every 3 weeks, there is a chance that one will catch. The problem lies in the fact that most puppies already receive their last vaccination at 12 weeks. Because the maternal immunity can last up to 20 weeks and sometimes even longer, the vaccination does not work and there is a high chance that they will then walk around unprotected until the next vaccination, which is given at the age of 1 year.

People wrongly think that their dog is optimally protected by this vaccination, while it is still at risk of contracting and spreading diseases. They go unprotected to dog schools, pensions, shows and competitions, animal events, dirty exhaust fields and so on.

titer test

The most commonly used titer test is VacciCheck. This is reliable and can be carried out by the veterinarian who has included VacciCheck in their practice. Only a very small drop of blood is needed and the result is known within half an hour. The vet must indicate in the vaccination booklet for how long the dog is protected and a validity period is thus linked to the statement. There is now also a new way to titrate in which a few drops of blood are dropped into a tester and read out by means of a transponder after a few seconds.

The following diseases are titrated:

1) Infectious hepatitis

Infectious hepatitis is a highly contagious inflammation of the liver that occurs in dogs. The disease is caused by the CAV-1 virus. This virus mainly spreads through the urine of dogs infected with this disease. The inflammation affects the dog's liver. It is a dangerous disease, especially for young dogs. With a rapid course of the disease, the dog can die without showing any symptoms. With a slow course, the following symptoms can be observed:

diarrhea jaundicefevereye inflammationswelling of the corneamore drinking and urination loss of appetite

Especially the high fever that can be caused by inflammation of the liver is a dangerous aspect of this disease. This can eventually lead to death. Partly due to the vaccination policy, this disease is almost non-existent here. However, due to the influx of many dogs from abroad, it remains a disease that we must remain alert to. Because dogs from abroad are still regularly treated carelessly with regard to vaccination and the method of entry in the passport, it is especially important for these dogs to know what their protection status is. Not only for themselves, but also for their environment.

2) Parvo

Canine parvo has only been around since 1978 and is a viral disease that mainly affects the dog's digestive system. Dogs infected with parvo have a very small chance of surviving. A dog only has to sniff the feces of an infected dog and the disease has already spread. The parvovirus then causes intestinal inflammation, which results in the following three symptoms:

vomiting (which also includes blood in the vomit); foul-smelling and bloody diarrhea; high temperature fluctuations: feverish or extremely cold if the dog is dying, because the virus is already advanced.

The parvovirus has a preference for cells that are dividing. This is mainly in the gastrointestinal tract of your dog, but in young dogs the cells of the heart muscle also divide. This leads to fatal heart problems. Parvo has never completely disappeared and is still very common here. This is a virus that you absolutely do not want your dog to get.

3) Distemper

Distemper is a viral disease and causes inflammation in the intestines and meningitis. Distemper is also known as distemper or Carré's disease and is highly contagious. The disease can be transmitted directly from an infected dog or indirectly through faeces, urine and saliva.

The first symptoms are:

apathydiarrheacoughingrunny nosesneezing eye inflammationprone and later thickening and merging soles of the feet and nose



Most of these symptoms may seem quite harmless because they resemble a flu virus. That's what makes it so dangerous. Distemper is one of the most dangerous diseases for dogs. After the first symptoms, the dog suddenly becomes very ill. Once the virus has affected the nervous system, it is usually too late for the dog. Half of the dogs that get distemper don't make it.

Distemper has certainly not disappeared here and here too there is a danger that it will be brought to our countries mainly by dogs imported from abroad.

Show, guest house or competition

With a positive titre determination (in the European pet passport) participation in shows and access to boarding house or shelter is possible. If the vet indicates that the dog is sufficiently protected, a titre determination and a statement from the vet can be seen as proof that it has been sufficiently vaccinated. The vet must indicate in the vaccination booklet for how long the dog is protected and a validity period is thus linked to the statement, according to the Board of Directors, Dibevo, KNMvD, NVWA and KMSH.