Abstract
The vaccination of captive wild carnivores is a basic tool for wildlife health management.1,4 Unfortunately, there is little evidence in Latin America of the usefulness and security of the locally available vaccines. Recombitek® C6a is the only locally available anti-canine distemper virus (CDV) recombinant vaccine. The anti-CDV serological and clinical response to SC administration was evaluated in red fox (Vulpes vulpes) maintained at the Buin Zoo, Chile.
Seventeen clinically healthy red fox were divided in three groups and administered 1 ml of (A) a single vaccination (three animals of nine months of age without previous vaccination [WPV]); (B) a series of three vaccinations with 21 days of interval (four animals of 10 months of age [WPV]); and (C) a single vaccination (10 animals older than one year and that had received a previous vaccination more than a year ago). Titers for antibodies against CDV were measured by serum neutralization before vaccination and every 21 days after the first vaccination for six months.
After 180 days, only two animals (both belonging to group B, 50% of group B animals) presented adequate antibody protective response (titers >100).2,3 All animals remained clinically healthy throughout the study period. Based on our results, a single vaccination with Recombitek® C6 does not produce protective antibody titers against CDV in red foxes. Additional research is needed to confirm the antibody titer response to multiple vaccinations.
Endnotes
aMerial LLC., imported and distributed by Sanofi Pasteur S.A. Andres Bello 2711, Las Condes, Chile
Literature Cited
1. Lamberski, N. Updated vaccination recommendations for carnivores. In: Fowler ME, Miller E, eds. Fowler’s Zoo and Wild Animal Medicine Current Therapy. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders; 2012:442–450.
2. Montali RJ, Bartz CR, Teare JA, Allen JT, Appel M, Bush M. Clinical trials with canine distemper vaccines in exotic carnivores. J Vet Med Assoc. 1983;183(11):163–166.
3. Montali RJ, Tell L, Bush M, Cambre RC, Kenny D, Sutherland-Smith M, Appel MJG. Vaccination against canine distemper in exotic carnivores: successes and failures. In: Proceedings from the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians. 1994:340–344.
4. Swenson J, Orr K, Bradley GA. Hemorrhagic and necrotizing hepatitis associated with administration of a modified live canine adenovirus-2 vaccine in a maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus). J Zoo Wildl Med. 2012;43(2):375-383.