How Do Vets Detect Rabies Titer Levels in Cats?

Sometimes a veterinarian will want to measure your cat's rabies titer level. This will tell how much protection your cat has from the rabies virus. The length of time between rabies vaccination and the titer test will be determined by such factors as the cat's age, if it goes outside (exposure level), and its overall health level.

  1. Pet History

    • The veterinarian will examine your pet or its health record to determine if a rabies titer test is necessary. Your cat's age is a major factor, especially if it is a young cat. (Immunity to the rabies virus even with vaccination is stronger as a cat ages.) The veterinarian will also ask you if your cat goes outside and has had any exposure to any wild animals that possibly exposed them to the rabies virus.

    Drawing Blood

    • The veterinarian will draw blood from your cat. Sedation may or may not be needed, depending on the cat's behavior. The veterinarian will draw about 6 ml of blood from your cat. The blood will then be placed into a centrifuge and spun to separate the serum. It is recommended to have at least 2 ml of serum.

    Testing

    • The serum will be poured into a new tube, and placed on an ice pack in a cooler. The cooler is then mailed by overnight delivery to a specialty diagnostic laboratory, such as Kansas State University, for testing. The laboratory will test the titer level and send the results to your veterinarian within 7 to 10 days.