Understanding Inflammation, Titre Testing & The Future of Personalized Pet Care 

By Dr Nicole Rous

When we think about preventative veterinary care, many people think about routine vaccinations, parasite prevention, and annual health checks.

While these remain important parts of keeping pets healthy, veterinary care is continuing to evolve.

Today, we are moving towards a more personalised approach. One that considers the individual pet, their health history, lifestyle, environment, and unique needs.

Rather than focusing only on preventing disease, modern preventive care also focuses on supporting resilience, identifying potential concerns earlier, and understanding the factors that influence long-term well-being.

In this episode of the Pure Animal Podcast, Dr Nicole Rous returns for her first 2026 discussion exploring two important topics in modern veterinary medicine: Managing Inflammation and Titre testing.

Listen to the full episode here:
https://omny.fm/shows/pure-animal-podcast/managing-inflammation-and-titre-testing-with-dr-nicole-rous#description

Why are we talking more about inflammation?

Inflammation is a natural and essential part of the body’s immune response.

It helps the body respond to injury, infection, and everyday challenges. However, when the body is exposed to ongoing triggers, the overall inflammatory load can become more complex.

Inflammation is not usually caused by one single factor. Instead, it can be influenced by a combination of factors including:

• Genetics
  
• Diet
• Environmental influences
• Stress
• Lifestyle factors
• Individual health history
• Understanding inflammation means looking at the bigger picture of a pet’s health rather than focusing only on one symptom or concern.

The connection between gut health and the immune system?

One of the important areas discussed in this episode is the relationship between the gut and the immune system.

The gut is not only responsible for digestion — it also plays a key role in supporting immune regulation.

The gut mucosa acts as a protective barrier, helping control what interacts with the body’s internal environment. When gut resilience is reduced, this barrier may become compromised, potentially contributing to increased immune stimulation.

This is often discussed in relation to “leaky gut” and how changes within the gut environment may influence the way the immune system responds.

This connection highlights why supporting overall health involves looking beyond individual body systems and understanding how they work together.

Why some food reactions may not always be true allergies?

Food-related concerns are common in veterinary discussions, particularly when pets experience digestive issues, skin changes, or sensitivities.

However, not every reaction is caused by a true allergy.

Some food responses may be linked to changes in gut health, digestion, or immune balance. When gut resilience is reduced, the body’s response to certain foods may change.

This is why understanding the individual pet is so important. A personalised approach allows veterinarians to consider the full picture rather than relying on assumptions.

Rethinking preventative care: Vaccination and Titre testing

Vaccinations continue to play an important role in protecting pets from serious infectious diseases.

However, another option that has become increasingly discussed is titre testing.

Titre testing measures antibody levels to provide information about a pet’s existing protection against certain diseases.

The 2024 WSAVA vaccination guidelines recognise titre testing as a method for monitoring protection, giving veterinarians another tool when discussing preventative care options.

The decision between routine vaccination and titre testing is not the same for every pet. It depends on factors such as:

• Health history
• Lifestyle and exposure risk
• Previous vaccination responses
• Individual health considerations

The goal is to support informed conversations between veterinarians and pet owners.

Who may benefit from discussing titre testing?

Titre testing may be considered as part of a personalised healthcare discussion for pets including those with:

1. Previous adverse reactions following vaccination
2. Certain co-existing health concerns
3. A need for additional information when planning preventative care
4. Dr Nicole also discusses the different options available, including:
5. In-house titre testing performed within veterinary clinics
6. Commercial laboratory testing
7. These options allow veterinarians to gather more information when making preventative healthcare decisions.

A more strategic approach to parasite prevention

Parasite prevention is another important part of maintaining pet health.

However, modern preventative care is also considering how we approach parasite management.

A strategic approach involves looking at each pet individually, including:

• Their lifestyle
• Their environment
• Their risk factors
• Appropriate screening options

While parasite prevention remains essential, thoughtful use of treatments is important as concerns around resistance continue to be discussed.

The importance of a collaborative approach

One of the biggest changes in veterinary medicine is the move towards collaboration.

Pet owners are becoming more engaged in understanding their pets’ health, asking questions, and wanting to make informed choices.

The best preventative care decisions happen when veterinarians and pet owners work together - combining clinical experience, evidence, and an understanding of the individual animal.

What can pet owners do to support their pet’s wellbeing?

Supporting your pet’s health starts with paying attention to the small things.

Pet owners can support long-term wellbeing by:

1. Scheduling regular veterinary assessments
2. Monitoring changes in behaviour, appetite, and energy
3. Providing appropriate nutrition
4. Maintaining dental and parasite care routines
5. Discussing preventative care options with their veterinarian
6. Often, owners are the first people to notice subtle changes, and these observations can provide valuable information during veterinary consultations.
7. Final thoughts

The future of preventative veterinary care is moving beyond a one-size-fits-all approach.

By understanding inflammation, supporting gut health, considering individual risk factors, and exploring tools such as titre testing, we can make more informed decisions for our pets.

This episode with Dr Nicole Rous explores how veterinary care is evolving towards a more personalised and proactive approach, helping support healthier, happier lives for our companion animals.

Listen to the full conversation here:
https://omny.fm/shows/pure-animal-podcast/managing-inflammation-and-titre-testing-with-dr-nicole-rous#description

This episode was brought to you by PAW, Pure Animal Wellbeing.  Developed by vets, inspired by nature, and dedicated to supporting lifelong health in pets.