The science behind Vetica
Vetica measures two distinct salivary IgA responses. Inflammation Check looks at an immune response directed against calprotectin, a protein associated with inflammatory activity. Gluten Response looks at an immune response directed against gluten. The two tests answer different biological questions and are designed to be interpreted with symptoms, diet and history.
See where the marker science comes from, how it moved into veterinary research, what Vetica measures in dog saliva, and how to interpret a result in context.
Scientific lineage
Vetica’s marker selection is grounded in established biomarker science. Calprotectin is an established inflammation biomarker in human gastroenterology, while antibody testing is central to the evaluation of gluten-related disease in people. Veterinary researchers have since studied calprotectin and gluten-related antibodies in dogs. Vetica’s tests build on that background while measuring different, defined salivary IgA responses in dogs.
Fecal calprotectin is used in human inflammatory-bowel-disease care as a biomarker of intestinal inflammation.
Antibody serology is part of the evaluation of celiac disease and other gluten-related immune responses in people.
Researchers have measured calprotectin in dog saliva and studied gluten-related antibody responses in dogs.
Vetica measures salivary anti-calprotectin IgA and anti-gluten IgA using rapid lateral-flow tests designed for dogs.
Human and canine research provide the biological background. Vetica applies that foundation through distinct canine salivary IgA tests, with Vetica-specific canine work evaluating the test format.
Food can be part of the picture alongside other possible contributors. Inflammation Check asks whether the body is showing an inflammation-related immune response. Gluten Response asks whether one defined dietary exposure — gluten — is showing a response worth investigating.
Gluten was selected as a focused dietary question because it is a defined exposure that can be investigated across the whole diet — food, treats, chews, supplements, and extras. Gluten-containing ingredients may also be used for structure, binding, or texture in treats and other products, making exposure less obvious when only the main food is considered. This offers a focused starting point rather than a long list of possible ingredients.
Looks beyond individual food ingredients.
Checks one practical dietary exposure early, before a longer ingredient search.
Combines both checks into one starting picture.
Your dog’s body has a built-in warning and response system. When something is irritating or stressing the digestive system, the body can respond in ways that leave measurable signals. Vetica looks for two of those responses in saliva: one related to inflammation and one related to gluten.
The mouth and gastrointestinal tract are part of the body’s connected mucosal immune system. Immune responses generated at mucosal surfaces can be reflected in saliva, which makes saliva a practical place to look for selected antibody responses without blood collection.
Is the body showing an inflammation response?
Gluten is a practical first dietary question because exposure can extend beyond the main food.
Together, the two tests help you look at both a broader biological response and one focused dietary question.
Vetica-specific evidence
A prospective observational field study evaluated the Vetica saliva tests in client-owned dogs with different clinical presentations.
Positive Vetica results were much more common in dogs with GI or diet-related signs than in dogs without current symptoms.
Observed results from Vetica’s prospective observational canine field study.
The study was designed to evaluate how the two Vetica saliva markers behaved across clinical groups. As a prospective observational study, it provides cohort-level evidence that informs continued evaluation of the canine test format.
Why calprotectin, gluten-directed antibodies and mucosal immunity are biologically relevant areas to study.
How the Vetica saliva tests were evaluated in client-owned dogs in the Vetica field study.
How symptoms, diet history, controlled food trials and appropriate veterinary evaluation are used to determine clinical relevance.
Each evidence layer answers a different question: external research establishes the biological rationale, Vetica-specific work evaluates the canine assay format, and veterinary guidance informs how results can be used alongside symptoms, diet history, and appropriate evaluation.
What the research shows
Human gastroenterology uses fecal calprotectin as a biomarker of intestinal inflammation, including alongside symptoms and endoscopic assessment in Crohn’s disease.
Why it is relevant background
This establishes the long-standing biological relevance of calprotectin as an inflammation marker. Vetica applies this biology through a different measurement: salivary anti-calprotectin IgA in dogs.
What the research shows
Celiac-disease evaluation uses antibody serology as part of the diagnostic pathway in people.
Why it is relevant background
This provides a biological precedent for measuring gluten-related immune responses. Vetica applies that concept through a distinct canine salivary anti-gluten IgA test.
What the research shows
A 2025 study found that canine salivary calprotectin protein can be measured and observed higher values in selected systemic inflammatory and immune conditions.
Why it is relevant background
This supports the biological relevance of calprotectin and saliva in dogs. Vetica-specific canine work separately evaluates the salivary anti-calprotectin IgA format.
What the research shows
Canine studies support gluten- and gliadin-directed antibody responses as biologically plausible in selected populations. Other serological work also shows that food-related antibody panels can have limited specificity for chronic enteropathy.
Why it is relevant background
This supports the rationale for studying a defined gluten-directed response in dogs. Vetica-specific canine evidence evaluates the salivary format, with results interpreted alongside exposure, symptoms, and history.
What the research shows
Veterinary guidance uses controlled elimination diets followed by reintroduction or challenge, when appropriate, to determine whether food is clinically relevant.
Why it is relevant background
A biological result and a food trial answer different questions. The result can inform what deserves attention; the controlled change shows what happens to the dog’s symptoms.
Vetica provides a focused biological result. A controlled food trial shows what happens when exposure changes. Used together, they add different kinds of information to the same decision.
Vetica can be used earlier than many other approaches — before a food trial, a broader ingredient search, or a routine veterinary evaluation when appropriate. A result can also remain useful alongside veterinary findings, diet history, and symptoms, and Vetica can be used again later when another point-in-time measurement would help.
A follow-up Vetica test is optional. It adds another point-in-time result that can be interpreted alongside symptoms, diet changes, and the overall pattern.
Use Vetica with symptoms, diet history, veterinary findings, and changes over time to build a clearer picture of what deserves attention next.
How veterinarians investigate food-related problemsVetica is designed to complement established veterinary workflows.
If your dog is worsening or has concerning symptoms, veterinary care should not wait for a test result or a food trial.
References
Vetica Field Study (2026)
Internal prospective observational canine field study.
Last reviewed: September 17, 2026
Start with Inflammation Check, Gluten Response, or both. Help Me Choose can guide you from what you’re seeing at home.
