Titre Testing for Dogs (C3 Immunity Screening)
Understand your dog’s immunity before revaccinating.
Titre testing for dogs is a simple blood test that measures antibody levels to the C3 core vaccine diseases:
- Canine parvovirus
- Canine distemper virus
- Canine adenovirus (infectious canine hepatitis)
Often referred to as a dog titre test, this screening helps determine whether your dog still has protective antibodies from previous vaccination or exposure. It allows for more informed, individualised vaccination decisions based on your dog’s current immune status.
Why this test matters
Many pet parents question whether dogs require ongoing annual vaccinations. In many cases, immunity to core diseases lasts significantly longer than standard vaccination intervals.
A dog titre test provides insight into your dog’s existing immunity, helping to avoid unnecessary revaccination while still maintaining protection against serious disease.
This approach is supported by international veterinary guidelines, including the World Small Animal Veterinary Association, which advises that core vaccines should not be given more frequently than every 3 years in adult dogs.
Titre testing may be particularly helpful for dogs with previous vaccine reactions, chronic health conditions, or for pet parents seeking a more proactive and individualised approach to preventative care.
Important considerations
This test measures antibodies to the C3 core diseases only and reflects immunity at the time of sampling.
It does not assess protection against canine cough, including Bordetella bronchiseptica and canine parainfluenza virus, or leptospirosis. These require separate risk-based vaccination decisions.
Not all boarding facilities, groomers, or training organisations accept titre testing in place of vaccination. Many may still require evidence of canine cough vaccination, so we recommend confirming requirements in advance.
What’s included
- Full core panel (parvovirus, distemper, adenovirus)
- Laboratory measurement of antibody levels to C3 core diseases
- Clear result indicating whether protective antibodies are present
- Guidance to support vaccination decision-making
