Titre Testing for Dogs: Does Your Dog Actually Need Another Vaccination?

Your dog’s vaccination reminder arrives. You book the appointment. They receive another vaccination.

For many dog guardians, that’s simply what we’ve always done.

But what if there was a way to check whether your dog still has antibodies from their previous vaccination before automatically giving them another one?

There is. It’s called titre testing. 

Titre testing is a simple blood test that measures antibodies to certain diseases and can provide useful information about your dog’s existing immune response.

It allows you to take a more individualised approach to vaccination — vaccinating when it’s needed, rather than simply because a date has arrived.

What is a titre test?

When your dog is vaccinated, their immune system develops an immune response to that disease.

A titre test measures specific antibodies circulating in your dog’s blood.

For dogs, titre testing is commonly used to assess antibodies against three important core diseases:

• Canine parvovirus

• Canine distemper virus

• Canine infectious hepatitis (adenovirus)

If appropriate antibodies are detected, this provides useful evidence of an existing immune response from previous vaccination.

Rather than assuming every dog requires another core vaccine simply because a certain amount of time has passed, titre testing gives you more information about the individual dog in front of you.

Do core vaccines really only last three years?

This is where things get particularly interesting.

The three-year vaccination interval commonly used for adult dogs shouldn't necessarily be interpreted as meaning that immunity suddenly expires at three years.

Research into duration of immunity (DOI) has shown that immunity following core vaccination can persist considerably longer.

One of the leading researchers in this field was veterinary immunologist Dr Ronald D. Schultz, from the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine, who spent decades studying canine and feline vaccination and duration of immunity.

His research involved both measuring antibodies and challenge studies, where vaccinated animals were exposed to the infectious organism to determine whether they remained protected.

Schultz's research reported minimum durations of immunity for some modified-live canine core vaccines of:

• Canine distemper: at least 7 years by challenge, with antibodies detected for as long as 15 years for one vaccine strain

• Canine adenovirus: at least 7 years by challenge, with serological evidence persisting longer

• Canine parvovirus: at least 7 years by challenge

Importantly, these figures describe minimum demonstrated duration of immunity in particular studies and vaccine preparations. They don't mean that every vaccine guarantees every dog protection for 7–15 years.

But they do demonstrate something important:

Three years isn't necessarily the biological expiry date of your dog's immunity.

In subsequent research published in 2010, Schultz and colleagues studied dogs that had not been revaccinated against the core viruses for as long as nine years. The dogs had antibody levels considered protective and resisted infection and/or disease when challenged with canine distemper, parvovirus and adenovirus.

The researchers concluded that modified-live core vaccination can provide long-term immunity in a very high percentage of animals.

Even the current World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) vaccination guidelines acknowledge this research, noting evidence that quality-assured modified-live core vaccines provide robust protection for at least three to four years, while challenge studies have reported immunity lasting at least seven years.

So why do we talk about three-yearly vaccination?

Because a recommended revaccination interval and the actual biological duration of immunity are not necessarily the same thing.

And that's one of the reasons titre testing can be such a useful tool.

Why avoid unnecessary vaccination?

If vaccination is generally safe, you might reasonably ask: why bother titre testing at all? Why not just give another vaccine?

Because every medical intervention involves a balance between benefit and risk.

When a vaccine is needed to establish or restore protection against a serious infectious disease, that benefit can be extremely important.

But if a dog already has evidence of an adequate immune response, the question becomes different:

What additional benefit are we gaining from giving another core vaccine — and is exposing that dog to another medical intervention necessary?

Vaccines are generally considered very safe, but adverse reactions can and do occur.

Most reported vaccine reactions are relatively mild and short-lived, such as:

• Pain or swelling at the injection site

• Lethargy

• Reduced appetite

• Fever

• Vomiting

Less commonly, dogs can experience more significant hypersensitivity reactions including hives, facial swelling or anaphylaxis.

Large studies have also found that the risk of an acute adverse event increases when multiple vaccines are administered during the same appointment, with smaller dogs particularly at risk.

More serious immune-mediated conditions have been reported following vaccination, and researchers continue to investigate the relationship between vaccination, genetics and immune-mediated disease. However, it's important to distinguish an event occurring after vaccination from proof that the vaccine caused it. 

This is why we prefer the term unnecessary vaccination rather than suggesting that all vaccination is harmful.

And it isn't just a holistic viewpoint.

The Australian Veterinary Association acknowledges that vaccine-associated adverse events are possible and specifically states that veterinarians should aim to reduce the vaccine load on individual animals, provided doing so doesn't increase their risk of disease.

The 2024 WSAVA vaccination guidelines take a similarly individualised approach. They recognise adverse events following vaccination and note that a dog with a previous serious reaction to a modified-live core vaccine may not necessarily need to be revaccinated if they have previously been appropriately immunised. Serological testing can be considered in these circumstances.

So the purpose of titre testing isn't to avoid vaccines because vaccines are inherently “bad”.

It's to help answer a much more useful question:

Does this individual dog actually need another core vaccination right now?

If they do, vaccination has an important job to do.

If they already have evidence of an appropriate immune response, titre testing gives their guardian and veterinarian information they can use before deciding whether another dose is warranted.

For us, that's what individualised preventative healthcare is about: using vaccination where it provides a benefit, while avoiding unnecessary medical intervention where possible.

What does the Australian Veterinary Association say?

Titre testing isn't simply something promoted within holistic or integrative pet care.

The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) recognises titre testing as a method that can be considered when evaluating immunity and supports vaccination protocols that reflect the duration of immunity provided by different vaccines.

The AVA acknowledges that scientific evidence indicates immunity from core vaccine components in most animals lasts significantly longer than 12 months and often longer than three years.

The AVA supports the use of vaccines with an extended duration of immunity, including triennial, or three-yearly, core vaccination, where appropriate for the individual animal and their disease risk.

Importantly, the AVA also recognises serological testing — titre testing — as a method of evaluating immunity.

This doesn't mean your dog will never require another vaccination, nor does it mean every vaccine can be replaced with a titre test.

Core and non-core vaccines are different. Some non-core vaccines may require more frequent vaccination depending on your dog's lifestyle, location and individual disease risk.

What it does mean is that automatically giving every adult dog every vaccine annually isn't the only approach to vaccination.

Why titre test instead of automatically revaccinating?

Vaccination plays an incredibly important role in protecting dogs from serious infectious diseases.

Titre testing isn't about changing that.

The question is whether a dog that has already been appropriately vaccinated necessarily needs another dose right now.

If your dog already has measurable antibodies associated with protection, a titre test gives you and your vet useful information before another core vaccination is considered.

Titre testing may be particularly worth discussing for:

• Adult dogs with an established vaccination history

• Dogs approaching the time their next three-yearly core vaccination would otherwise be considered

• Dogs that have previously experienced an adverse vaccine reaction

• Dogs with health circumstances where vaccination needs to be considered carefully

• Guardians wanting a more individualised approach to preventative healthcare

How is titre testing done?

It’s surprisingly simple.

Your vet takes a small blood sample from your dog.

Depending on the veterinary clinic, the blood may be tested in-house using a titre testing kit, or it may be sent to an external laboratory for analysis.

The test measures antibodies against the specific diseases being tested.

Those results can then be considered alongside your dog's vaccination history, health, lifestyle and individual risk when deciding whether another core vaccination is appropriate.

Find a vet who is onboard with titre testing

Veterinary approaches to titre testing can vary between individual vets and clinics.

If titre testing is something you'd like to incorporate into your dog's preventative healthcare, look for a vet who is knowledgeable about titre testing and comfortable using the results when making vaccination decisions.

If your current vet doesn't offer titre testing, isn't comfortable interpreting titre results, or you feel you're being discouraged from exploring the option, it's okay to seek a second opinion.

An integrative or holistic veterinarian can also be a good place to start, as these vets may be more accustomed to incorporating titre testing and individualised vaccination protocols into preventative healthcare.

When contacting a veterinary clinic, ask:

“Do your vets offer titre testing for core vaccines and use the results when deciding whether revaccination is necessary?”

You may also want to ask:

“Do you offer in-house titre testing?”

You're not rejecting vaccination by asking these questions. You're simply looking for a veterinarian who is willing to discuss the options and make an individualised decision for your dog.

Is titre testing expensive?

Not necessarily — and over time, it may even work out cheaper.

The cost varies considerably depending on how the test is performed.

Sending blood to an external laboratory can make titre testing relatively expensive. However, some veterinary clinics offer in-house titre testing kits, which can make the process quicker and potentially much more affordable.

It's also important not to simply compare the cost of one vaccination with one titre test.

Look at the bigger picture.

For example, titre testing may be considered around the time your dog's next three-yearly core vaccination would otherwise be due. If adequate antibodies are still present, that information can be used when considering whether revaccination is necessary.

Depending on the cost charged by your veterinarian — particularly where affordable in-house testing is available — this approach may work out comparable to, or potentially cheaper than, repeatedly revaccinating over the longer term.

There is another consideration too.

Vaccines are generally considered safe, but adverse reactions can occur. If titre testing helps avoid a vaccination that isn't considered necessary, it also avoids exposure to the potential adverse effects of that particular vaccination — and the possible veterinary treatment and expense associated with managing a reaction.

This doesn't mean titre testing guarantees lower future veterinary costs, nor does it mean vaccination inevitably causes health problems.

The principle is much simpler: Vaccinate when vaccination is needed. Titre test where appropriate. Avoid unnecessary medical intervention where possible.

Does a positive titre guarantee immunity?

A titre test measures circulating antibodies against specific diseases.

The immune system is more complex than antibodies alone, so titre testing doesn't measure every component of your dog's immune system.

However, for the core viral diseases for which antibody testing is well established, antibody results can provide valuable information about an individual dog's immune response.

This is why titre results should be appropriately interpreted and considered as part of an overall vaccination strategy.

It's another reason to find a vet who understands titre testing and is comfortable incorporating the results into an individualised vaccination plan.

Does titre testing replace puppy vaccinations?

No.

Titre testing shouldn't be interpreted as meaning puppies don't need appropriate protection against serious infectious diseases.

Establishing immunity during puppyhood is extremely important.

In fact, Schultz's work emphasised the importance of successfully immunising young animals. His research found that appropriately administered modified-live core vaccines can subsequently produce remarkably long-lasting immunity.

Titre testing can then become part of the conversation around your dog's ongoing vaccination strategy.

The aim isn't to avoid vaccination at all costs.

It's to vaccinate appropriately and avoid vaccination that isn't considered necessary.

What about annual health checks?

Not having an annual vaccination doesn't mean not having an annual vet check.

Your dog's regular veterinary examination remains an important part of preventative healthcare.

It's an opportunity to assess their teeth, heart, weight, joints, skin, lumps and bumps, mobility and general health — and potentially identify changes before they become more serious.

Your dog can absolutely have a regular health examination without automatically receiving a vaccination at every visit.

Titre testing doesn't replace regular veterinary health checks.

Will boarding kennels and daycare accept titre results?

Don't assume they will. But don't assume they won't.

Some boarding kennels, daycare centres, training facilities and other businesses may accept veterinary documentation showing adequate titre results, while others may have their own vaccination requirements.

If you're planning to board your dog, check the facility's requirements well in advance and ask specifically whether they accept veterinary titre results as evidence of immunity for core diseases.

Titre testing isn't anti-vaccination

Perhaps the most important point is this:

Titre testing isn't about being for or against vaccination.

Vaccination has an important role in protecting dogs from potentially devastating infectious diseases.

Titre testing is a safer and more evidence-based way of assessing whether your dog may still be protected before deciding whether another vaccination is needed.

Instead of automatically asking:

“Is my dog's vaccination due?”

We can also ask:

“Does my dog still have antibodies indicating an immune response from their previous vaccination?”

Research from Dr Ronald Schultz and others has demonstrated that immunity to core viral diseases can persist for many years after successful vaccination — considerably longer than the one-year schedules historically used and, in some studies, considerably longer than three years.

The Australian Veterinary Association recognises that immunity from core vaccine components can persist significantly longer than 12 months and often longer than three years, while current international WSAVA guidelines acknowledge challenge-study evidence of immunity lasting at least seven years.

So, if you'd like to explore titre testing, find a veterinarian who is onboard with having that conversation.

That may be your existing conventional vet, or you may prefer to find an integrative or holistic veterinarian who routinely incorporates titre testing into individualised vaccination plans.

Ask what your dog is being vaccinated against.

Ask whether it's a core or non-core vaccine.

Ask how frequently that particular vaccine needs to be given.

Ask whether titre testing is appropriate.

Ask whether in-house testing is available.

And if you're not comfortable with the answers you're receiving, it's okay to seek another veterinary opinion.

Being an informed guardian isn't about refusing veterinary care.

It's about understanding the options available and making thoughtful decisions about your dog's healthcare.

Preventative healthcare shouldn't simply be about following a date on a reminder. It should be about making informed decisions for the individual dog in front of us.

Research & further reading

Schultz RD. (2006). Duration of immunity for canine and feline vaccines: A review. Veterinary Microbiology, 117(1), 75–79.

Schultz RD, Thiel B, Mukhtar E, Sharp P, Larson LJ. (2010). Age and Long-term Protective Immunity in Dogs and Cats. Journal of Comparative Pathology, 142, S102–S108.

World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA). (2024). Guidelines for the Vaccination of Dogs and Cats.

Australian Veterinary Association (AVA). Vaccination of Dogs and Cats Policy.

This article is for general educational purposes only and isn't a substitute for veterinary advice. Titre testing is not appropriate for every disease or every situation. Your dog's vaccination requirements will depend on factors including their age, vaccination history, health, lifestyle, location and individual disease risk.