Why in-house vaccine titering is gaining traction in practice
In-house vaccine titering is getting fresh attention in companion animal practice as dvm360 spotlights point-of-care antibody testing as a practical way to individualize vaccine conversations for dogs and cats. In a recent Vet Blast podcast and related dvm360 coverage, Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, spoke with Hunter Finn, DVM, and Noga Schiller, DVM, about using rapid in-clinic tests to assess antibody status for core pathogens, including canine parvovirus, distemper virus, adenovirus, and feline panleukopenia virus. The message is not that titers replace vaccination across the board, but that validated in-clinic serology can help practices document immunity for select core diseases, avoid unnecessary boosters in some patients, and give pet parents a more tailored recommendation. (dvm360.com)
Why it matters: For veterinary teams, the opportunity is clinical and operational. Current guidance supports antibody testing mainly for core viral diseases where correlates of protection are strongest, while cautioning against overinterpreting titers for pathogens where immunity is more complex or short-lived. WSAVA’s 2024 vaccination guidelines say positive antibody test results can be used to show protection from infection for canine distemper virus, canine adenovirus, canine parvovirus, and feline panleukopenia virus, but not as a substitute for rabies vaccination requirements. AAHA’s canine vaccination guidance is more conservative, noting routine titer testing isn’t usually advised at standard revaccination intervals except in cases such as prior vaccine reactions, suspected autoimmune concerns, or vaccine-hesitant pet parents. That leaves room for practices to use in-house titering as a communication and personalization tool, provided teams are clear about its limits, test validation, and the difference between screening assays and quantitative reference-lab titers. (wsava.org)
What to watch: Expect more discussion around where point-of-care titering fits into preventive care workflows, especially as practices weigh client demand for individualized vaccine plans against guideline-based use and state rabies rules. (dvm360.com)