Protection of dogs against death from experimental rabies by postexposure administration of rabies vaccine and hyperimmune globulin (human).

Two experiments on simulated postexposure treatment were carried out in dogs using human rabies immunoglobulin (RIGH) and human diploid cell vaccine for human use. In one experiment, when animals were challenged by injecting street virus into the masseter muscle and treated with a combination of RIGH and vaccine, 50% of the animals were protected from rabies. In the other trial, in which animals were challenged by injecting the virus into the femoral muscle, treatment with RIGH and vaccine protected all the animals against rabies. To our knowledge this is the highest rate of postexposure survival in animals reported to date. In addition, five out of eight (62.5%) dogs that received RIGH alone after the virus challenge were protected, while none of the animals receiving vaccine alone were protected from rabies. These trials suggest that animals can be protected from rabies by postexposure treatment. The route of exposure and timing of the administration of vaccine and hyperimmune serum would seem to be important.     

Evaluation of antithyroglobulin antibodies after routine vaccination in pet and research dogs

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether routine vaccination induces antibodies against bovine thyroglobulin and autoantibodies against canine thyroglobulin in dogs. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 20 healthy research Beagles and 16 healthy pet dogs. PROCEDURE: For the research Beagles, 5 dogs were vaccinated with a multivalent vaccine and a rabies vaccine, 5 dogs received only the multivalent vaccine, 5 dogs received only the rabies vaccine, and 5 dogs were unvaccinated controls. The multivalent vaccine was administered at 8, 10, 12, 16, 20, 26, and 52 weeks of age and every 6 months thereafter. The rabies vaccine was administered at 16 and 52 weeks of age and then once per year. Blood was collected from all dogs at 8, 16, and 26 weeks of age and then 4 times yearly. Assays for antibodies directed against bovine and canine thyroglobulin were performed prior to and 2 weeks after each yearly vaccination. For the pet dogs, blood was collected prior to and 2 weeks after 1 vaccination. RESULTS: In the research Beagles, there was a significant increase in anti-bovine thyroglobulin antibodies in all vaccinated dogs, compared with control dogs. There was a significant increase in anti-canine thyroglobulin antibodies in the 2 groups of dogs that received the rabies vaccine but not in the group that received the multivalent vaccine alone. In the pet dogs, there was a significant increase in anti-canine thyroglobulin antibodies after vaccination but no significant change in anti-bovine thyroglobulin antibodies. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Recent vaccination may result in increased anti-canine thyroglobulin antibodies. Whether these antibodies have a deleterious effect on canine thyroid function is unknown.     

Postexposure rabies prophylaxis protocol for domestic animals and epidemiologic characteristics of rabies vaccination failures in Texas: 1995-1999

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether postexposure rabies prophylaxis (PEP) in domestic animals, as mandated by the state of Texas, has continued to be effective and to evaluate PEP and preexposure rabies vaccination failures from 1995 through 1999. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 830 unvaccinated domestic animals (621 dogs, 78 horses, 71 cats, and 60 cattle) that received PEP and 4 animals (3 dogs and 1 horse) that had preexposure rabies vaccination failure. PROCEDURE: Zoonotic incident case reports from 1995 through 1999 were reviewed for information regarding unvaccinated domestic animals that received PEP according to state protocol after exposure to a rabid animal; reports were also reviewed for information regarding preexposure rabies vaccination failures. The PEP recommendations were to immediately vaccinate the animal against rabies, isolate the animal for 90 days, and administer booster vaccinations during the third and eighth weeks of the isolation period. Rabies vaccines used in the PEP protocol were administered via the route prescribed by the USDA. RESULTS: From 1995 through 1999, 830 animals received PEP; 4 failures were recorded. Additionally, 4 preexposure rabies vaccination failures were recorded. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results of this study indicate that an effective PEP protocol for unvaccinated domestic animals exposed to rabies includes immediate vaccination against rabies, a strict isolation period of 90 days, and administration of booster vaccinations during the third and eighth weeks of the isolation period. This PEP schedule has proven to be effective for control of rabies in domestic animals.     

Lack of association between repeated vaccination and thyroiditis in laboratory Beagles

BACKGROUND: Intensive vaccination protocols have been suggested as partially responsible for an increased prevalence of autoimmune diseases in dogs in recent years. The aim of this study was to determine whether repeated routine vaccination in dogs is associated with an increased prevalence of thyroiditis. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We conducted a prospective experimental study with 20 healthy purpose-bred Beagles. Five dogs were vaccinated with a multivalent vaccine and a rabies vaccine. Five dogs received only the multivalent vaccine, and 5 dogs received only the rabies vaccine. Five dogs were unvaccinated controls. The multivalent vaccine was administered at 8, 10, 12, 16, 20, 26, and 52 weeks of age and every 6 months thereafter. The rabies vaccine was administered at 16 and 52 weeks of age and then once a year. Blood samples were collected 1 week before euthanasia for evaluation of thyroid profiles and measurement of antibodies directed against canine thyroglobulin. Dogs were euthanized at 5.5 years of age, and the thyroid glands were evaluated histopathologically. Thyroiditis was present in 8 of 20 (40%) dogs at postmortem examination. No association was found between a dog being vaccinated and the prevalence of thyroiditis at postmortem examination. However, the power of the study to detect such an association was low because of the unexpected high prevalence of thyroiditis in the unvaccinated control dogs. Thyroid function tests were abnormal in 2 of 8 dogs with thyroiditis but were normal in all dogs without thyroiditis. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: There was no evidence to support an association between routine vaccination and thyroiditis at postmortem examination in beagle dogs after repeated vaccination.     

Animal bite epidemiology and surveillance for rabies postexposure prophylaxis

OBJECTIVES: To understand the epidemiology of animal bites and exposure, evaluate the animal exposure reporting system for surveillance of rabies postexposure prophylaxis (PEP), and identify opportunities to reduce PEP. DESIGN: Period prevalence survey. STUDY POPULATION: Pennsylvania residents in 1995. PROCEDURE: Data from animal bite reports from Pennsylvania county health offices were summarized for 1995. Animal bite incidences for the state, counties, various age groups, and various population densities were calculated. Animal species, treatment, location of wounds, and PEP recommendations were evaluated for exposures. RESULTS: More than 16,000 animal-related potential rabies exposures were reported from 65 of 67 counties in Pennsylvania. The highest incidence was in children less than 5 years old (324/100,000). Of the 75% of victims requiring wound treatment, 50% received antimicrobials, 29% received a tetanus toxoid, and 19% had wounds sutured, were admitted to hospitals, or were referred for plastic surgery. Although 75% of exposures were to dogs, victims exposed to cats were 6 times as likely to receive PEP (relative risk, 6.1; 95% confidence interval, 5.1 to 7.4). Thirty percent of 556 PEP were given for exposures to dogs, 44% for cats, 7% for raccoons, 4% for bats, 2.5% for squirrels, 2.1% for groundhogs, 2% for foxes, and 8% for exposures to other species. Fifty-nine percent of owned dogs were up-to-date on rabies vaccinations compared with 41% of owned cats. CONCLUSION: Interventions, such as dog bite prevention education, vaccination of pets against rabies, appropriate use of PEP, and reduction of feral cat populations, should be instituted, enhanced, or better enforced in communities.     

Testing for immunogenic and protective properties of vaccine against tissue-inactivated rabies

The immunogenic and protective potency was tested of vaccine against inactivated tissue rabies developed from the Vnukovo-32 strain, and produced in the Bioveta state corporation at Ivanovice in Haná. In 21 days after an i. m. application of 3 cm3 of vaccine, the average titre of virus-neutralizing antibodies was found to be 1:47. In this period the animals were revaccinated in the same way. The average titre of virus-neutralizing antibodies was 1:99 three months after revaccination, 1:57 in six months and 1:24 in nine months. In this period a challenge test was performed in a dog using the dose of 10(5) MICLD50 of street rabies virus. This dose was implanted i. m. into masticatory muscles. Another dog was infected experimentally 18 months after immunization. The experiment has proved the good immunogenic potency of vaccine against inactivated tissue rabies and its ability to induce the protection of vaccinated dogs from the strees infection with street rabies virus. The control rabies vaccine of foreign make RABISIN was tested in a similar way.     

Effects of vaccine route and dosage on protection from rabies after intracerebral challenge in mice

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of various routes of administration and number of doses of 3 commercially produced rabies vaccines on serum antibody responses and protection in mice challenged by intracerebral injection with fixed-strain rabies virus. ANIMALS: 2,213 mice. PROCEDURE: Inactivated, adjuvanted rabies vaccines were administered to mice in either 2, 1, or 0 (control) doses via IP, IM, and SC routes, and mice were challenged intracerebrally with fixed-strain rabies virus. RESULTS: Vaccination route and dose number significantly influenced serum antibody responses and protection from rabies virus challenge, independent of vaccine strain origin and mouse strain, although mouse age significantly affected results. Extended challenge studies revealed that IM vaccination of mice resulted in the highest serum neutralizing antibody responses and protection levels equivalent to IP vaccination. Even multiple doses administered SC (a vaccination route used in dogs) resulted in poor serum anti-rabies neutralizing antibody responses in mice and were far less protective than other routes. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Findings suggest possible improvements for the current rabies vaccine potency test in mice by using 1 dose, the IM route, and a delayed time of challenge. These modifications would more closely model vaccination practices in target species and yield more accurate information regarding primary immunogenicity of a vaccine.     

Efficacy of inactivated tissue culture rabies vaccine in dogs.

Inactivated, nonadjuvanted tissue culture-origin rabies vaccine was tested in 168 dogs for its ability to provide protection against challenge of immunity 1 year after vaccination. Several laboratory methods were used concurrently to measure the potency of the vaccine. When used at full strength, the vaccine protected 70% of dogs after either a 1- or 2-dose vaccination schedule. When vaccine was diluted to contain less antigenic mass, the 1-dose schedule was not as effective as 2 doses. High serum-neutralizing antibody titers developed by 7 days after vaccination, but the titers declined rapidly thereafter. The US reference vaccine protected 28 of 30 dogs.     

Exposure to rabies - an occupational hazard for veterinarians

Interviews to solicit information about animal bites and rabies vaccinations were completed on 1165 of 1175 non-military veterinarians in Illinois in 1968. Two hundred and sixty-one veterinarians reported 380 exposure incidents that precipitated the administration of rabies vaccine; 72 veterinarians had received two or more series of vaccine. Vaccine was administered after exposure from: examination of a patient (n = 230), bite (n = 79), necropsy (n = 17), other causes (n = 13) and unstated (n = 41). Eighty-six percent of the exposures were to dogs or cattle. In 231 veterinarians receiving postexposure vaccinations, where year of first vaccination and year of graduation from veterinary school were known, 97 (42%) were exposed in the six years spanning one year before graduation and four years after graduation. There were 296 veterinarians, including 12 receiving postexposure vaccination, who had received their first series of vaccine as preexposure prophylaxis. Twenty-one percent of all vaccinees (pre- and postexposure) reported reactions to the rabies vaccine. Seventy-two veterinarians reported they had been treated for an animal bite in the previous year.     

Free‐Roaming Dogs in Nepal: Demographics,Health and Public Knowledge,Attitudes and Practices

In Nepal, most dogs are free to roam and may transmit diseases to humans and animals. These dogs often suffer from malnutrition and lack basic health care. Minimal information is available about their demographics and about public attitudes concerning dogs and diseases. We carried out a study in Chitwan District (central Nepal), to collect baseline data on free‐roaming owned dog demographics, assess knowledge, attitudes and practices of dog owners concerning dogs and rabies, evaluate rabies vaccination coverage and anthelmintic treatment of dogs, measure dogs' response to rabies vaccination and assess dog health through body condition scores and parasites. We conducted household interviews with owners of free‐roaming female dogs (n = 60) and administered dogs with rabies vaccination and anthelmintics. Dog owners regularly fed free‐roaming dogs but provided minimal health care; 42% of respondents did not claim ownership of the dog for which they provided care. We collected skin, faecal and blood samples for parasite identification and for measuring rabies virus‐specific antibodies. Ninety‐two per cent of dog owners were aware of the routes of rabies virus transmission, but only 35% described the correct post‐exposure prophylaxis (PEP) following a dog bite. Twenty‐seven per cent of the dogs had measurable rabies virus‐specific antibody titres and 14% had received anthelmintics in the previous year. Following rabies vaccination, 97% of dogs maintained an adequate antibody titre for ≥6 months. Most dogs appeared healthy, although haemoprotozoans, endoparasites and ectoparasites were identified in 12%, 73% and 40% of the dogs, respectively. Poor skin condition and parasite load were associated. Seventy‐four per cent of the females had litters in 1 year (mean litter size = 4.5). Births occurred between September and February; we estimated 60% mortality in puppies. We concluded that vaccination coverage, PEP awareness and anthelmintic treatment should be emphasized in educational programmes focussed on animal welfare, veterinary and public health.     

Amelioration of oxidative stress using N‐acetylcysteine in canine parvoviral enteritis

Previously, antioxidants have not been evaluated for treatment of parvoviral diarrhea in dogs. In this study, antioxidant potential of N‐acetylcysteine (NAC) in dogs infected with canine parvovirus with a nonblinded randomized clinical trial has been carried out. A total 18 parvo‐infected dogs were randomly divided into two groups: nine parvo‐infected dogs were treated with supportive treatment and nine parvo‐infected dogs were treated with NAC along with supportive treatment. Simultaneously, nine healthy dogs were kept as healthy control. In parvo‐infected dogs, marked hemoconcentration, leucopenia, neutropenia and oxidative stress were noticed compared to healthy dogs. The NAC treatment progressively improved the leukocyte, neutrophil, monocyte, and eosinophil counts over the time in parvovirus‐infected dogs compared to dogs that received only supportive treatment. In addition, NAC treatment significantly improved glutathione S‐transferase (GST) activity and decreased nitrite plus nitrate (NOx) and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations on day 3 and 5 compared to supportive treatment in parvo‐infected dogs. However, supportive treatment alone failed to ameliorate oxidative stress in the infected dogs till day 5. The results of this study suggest that NAC represents a potential additional treatment option that could be considered to improve the health condition and minimize the duration of hospitalization in case of canine parvoviral diarrhea.     

Impact of Rabies Vaccination History on Attainment of an Adequate Antibody Titre Among Dogs Tested for International Travel Certification,Israel – 2010–2014

Rabies is endemic in wildlife or domestic carnivore populations globally. Infection of domestic dogs is of particular concern in many areas. In regions where domestic animals are at risk of exposure to rabies virus, dogs should be routinely vaccinated against rabies to protect both pet and human populations. Many countries require demonstration of an adequate level of serum rabies neutralizing antibodies to permit entry of dogs during international travel. We analysed rabies titres of dogs seeking travel certification in Israel to assess demographic and vaccine history factors associated with antibody titres below the acceptable threshold for travel certification. Having received only one previous rabies vaccination and a longer duration since the most recent vaccination was received were primary risk factors for not achieving an adequate rabies virus neutralizing antibody titre for travel certification. These risk factors had stronger effects in younger animals, but were consistent for dogs of all ages. In particular, these findings reiterate the importance of administering at least two rabies vaccinations (the primo vaccination and subsequent booster) to ensure population‐level protection against rabies in dogs globally.     

厦门市宠物犬狂犬病的血清学调查

为掌握厦门市宠物犬狂犬病感染和免疫情况,厦门市动物疫病预防控制中心于2013年8月对厦门市宠物犬进行了狂犬病血清学调查。结果显示：抽检的145份犬血清样品中,检出疑似狂犬病阳性犬4只,同时在流浪犬中也检测到抗体阳性犬4只;在已免疫狂犬病疫苗的86只犬中,有3只是新办证免疫的宠物犬,免疫率为82.7%,免疫抗体合格率为56.6%,疫苗接种频率与抗体保护水平显著关联,免疫接种超过1次的犬只,抗体保护水平是免疫接种1次的犬只的3倍（P＜0.05）。     

Effect of vaccination on serum concentrations of total and antigen-specific immunoglobulin E in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of vaccination on serum concentrations of total and antigen-specific IgE in dogs. ANIMALS: 20 female Beagles. PROCEDURE: Groups of 5 dogs each were vaccinated repeatedly between 8 weeks and 4 years of age with a multivalent and rabies vaccine, a multivalent vaccine only, or a rabies vaccine only. A fourth group of 5 dogs served as unvaccinated controls. Serum concentrations of total immunoglobulins and antigen-specific IgE were determined following vaccination. RESULTS:-The multivalent vaccine had little effect on serum total IgE concentrations. The concentration of IgE increased slightly following vaccination for rabies at 16 weeks and 1 year of age and increased greatly after vaccination at 2 and 3 years of age in most dogs, with a distinct variation between individual dogs. Vaccination had no effect on serum concentrations of IgA, IgG, and IgM as measured at 2 and 3 years of age. The rabies vaccine contained aluminum adjuvant in contrast to the multivalent vaccine. An increase of IgE that was reactive with vaccine antigens, including bovine serum albumin and bovine fibronectin, was detected in some of the dogs vaccinated for rabies. There was no significant correlation between serum concentrations of total IgE and antigen-specific IgE following vaccination. Serum total IgE concentration rapidly returned to preimmunization concentrations in most dogs, but high concentrations of antigen-specific IgE persisted. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Vaccination of dogs for rabies increases serum concentrations of total IgE and induces IgE specific for vaccine antigens, including tissue culture residues. Vaccination history should be considered in the interpretation of serum total IgE concentrations.     

A simplified roller bottle platform for the production of a new generation VLPs rabies vaccine for veterinary applications

Rabies is a neglected disease with an estimated annual mortality of 55,000 human deaths, affecting mainly low-income countries. Over 95% of these cases result from virus transmission through the bite of infected dogs and for this reason there is a real need for a cheap and effective rabies veterinary vaccine to be used in mass vaccination campaigns. In this work, we describe the establishment of a simple platform for the production of a virus-like particles based rabies vaccine using mammalian cells and roller bottles as culture system. Adherent cells were cultured during more than 15 days and VLPs were continuously produced and secreted to the culture supernatant. Immunogenicity and protective efficacy of VLPs were tested through rabies virus neutralizing antibody test and NIH potency test. These viral particles induced high titer of long lasting neutralizing antibodies and protected mice against active virus challenge. Therefore, this development represents a promising platform for the production of a new generation and virus-free rabies vaccine candidate for veterinary applications.     

Evaluation of a novel tumor vaccine in dogs with hemangiosarcoma

BACKGROUND: Hemangiosarcoma (HSA) is a highly metastatic and often rapidly fatal tumor of dogs. At present, adjuvant chemotherapy is the only proven effective treatment for dogs with HSA, though the benefits from chemotherapy are modest. Administration of immunotherapy together with chemotherapy has also been reported to improve survival in dogs with HSA. Therefore, we evaluated safety and immunologic responses to a novel tumor vaccine administered together with doxorubicin chemotherapy in dogs with different stages of HSA. HYPOTHESIS: That tumor vaccination could be safely and effectively combined with doxorubicin chemotherapy for treatment of dogs with HSA. ANIMALS: Twenty-eight dogs with various stages of HSA were enrolled in the study. METHODS: The HSA vaccine was prepared with lysates of allogeneic canine HSA cell lines mixed with an adjuvant composed of liposome-DNA complexes. Dogs received a series of 8 immunizations administered over a 22-week period, and most also received chemotherapy. Clinical adverse effects were noted, immune responses were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and flow cytometry, and survival times were calculated. RESULTS: The most common adverse effects observed in vaccinated dogs also treated with doxorubicin chemotherapy were diarrhea and anorexia. Vaccinated dogs were found to mount strong humoral immune responses against a control antigen and, most dogs also mounted antibody responses against canine HSA cells. Thirteen dogs with stage II splenic HSA that received the tumor vaccine plus doxorubicin chemotherapy had an overall median survival time of 182 days. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that an allogeneic tumor lysate vaccine is safe in dogs with HSA and can elicit humoral immune responses in dogs that are receiving concurrent doxorubicin chemotherapy.     

Safety and efficacy of an experimental reovirus vaccine for in ovo administration

A commercial reovirus vaccine alone or experimental reovirus vaccine plus antibody complex were inoculated into 18-day-old specific pathogen free (SPF) broiler embryos at 0.1 of the recommended chick dose. The following groups were used: group 1A was not vaccinated or challenged; group 1B was not vaccinated, but was challenged with virulent reovirus; group 2 received the vaccine complexed with 1/4 dilution of antiserum; group 3 received the vaccine with 1/8 dilution of antiserum; group 4 received the vaccine with 1/16 dilution of antiserum, and group 5 received vaccine alone. At 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 days of age, serum was collected and antibody against avian reovirus was analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). At the same times, spleens were collected and vaccine virus detected by inoculating chicken embryo fibroblasts (CEFs) and examining for cytopathic effect. At 15 days of age, chickens in groups 2-5 were challenged with reovirus. At 22 days of age, birds were euthanatized and weighed. Efficacy of the vaccines was based on safety, percent protection, and antibody response. In ovo vaccination with the commercial or experimental vaccines did not adversely affect hatchability of SPF chickens. The vaccine complexed with antibody resulted in significantly less posthatch mortality (3.7%) when compared to mortality of chickens that received vaccine alone (17%). Both vaccine virus recovery and antibody response were delayed at least 3 days in birds receiving the experimental vaccines. In evo administration of reovirus antibody complex vaccines provided at least 70% protection. The experimental reovirus-antibody complex vaccines were safe and efficacious when given in ovo to SPF broiler embryos.     

Clinical and serological response of wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) to vaccination against canine distemper,canine parvovirus infection and rabies

Wild dogs Lycaon pictuis (n = 8) were vaccinated 4 times against canine distemper (n = 8) (initially with inactivated and subsequently with live attenuated strains of canine distemper) and canine parvovirus infection (n = 8) over a period of 360 days. Four of the wild dogs were also vaccinated 3 times against rabies using a live oral vaccine and 4 with an inactivated parenteral vaccine. Commercially-available canine distemper, canine parvovirus and parenteral rabies vaccines, intended for use in domestic dogs, were used. None of the vaccinated dogs showed any untoward clinical signs. The inactivated canine distemper vaccine did not result in seroconversion whereas the attenuated live vaccine resulted in seroconversion in all wild dogs. Presumably protective concentrations of antibodies to canine distemper virus were present in all wild dogs for at least 451 days. Canine parvovirus haemagglutination inhibition titres were present in all wild dogs prior to the administration of vaccine and protective concentrations persisted for at least 451 days. Vaccination against parvovirus infection resulted in a temporary increase in canine parvovirus haemagglutination inhibition titres in most dogs. Administration of both inactivated parenteral and live oral rabies vaccine initially resulted in seroconversion in 7 of 8 dogs. These titres, however, dropped to very low concentrations within 100 days. Booster administrations resulted in increased antibody concentrations in all dogs. It was concluded that the vaccines were safe to use in healthy subadult wild dogs and that a vaccination protocol in free-ranging wild dogs should at least incorporate booster vaccinations against rabies 3-6 months after the first inoculation.     

Incidence of adverse events in ferrets vaccinated with distemper or rabies vaccine: 143 cases (1995-2001)

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of adverse events in ferrets vaccinated with a modified-live avian cell culture canine distemper virus vaccine licensed for use in ferrets, an inactivated rabies vaccine licensed for use in ferrets, or both. DESIGN: Retrospective study. ANIMALS: 143 ferrets. PROCEDURE: Medical records were reviewed to identify ferrets that had an adverse event after vaccination. RESULTS: Adverse events developed within 25 minutes after vaccination in 13 ferrets. One ferret developed an adverse event after receiving a distemper and a rabies vaccine simultaneously and developed a second adverse event the following year after receiving the rabies vaccine alone. Therefore, a total of 14 adverse events were identified. All adverse events were an anaphylactic reaction characterized by generalized hyperemia, hypersalivation, and vomiting. Ten of the 14 anaphylactic reactions occurred after ferrets received both vaccines, 3 occurred after ferrets received the distemper vaccine alone, and 1 occurred after a ferret received the rabies vaccine alone. Incidences of adverse events after administration of both vaccines, the distemper vaccine alone, and the rabies vaccine alone were 5.6, 5.9, and 5.6%, respectively. Ferrets that had an anaphylactic reaction were significantly older at the time of vaccination than were ferrets that did not. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that there may be a high incidence of anaphylactic reactions after vaccination of domestic ferrets. Ferrets should be observed for at least 25 minutes after vaccination, and veterinarians who vaccinate ferrets should be prepared to treat anaphylactic reactions.     

Three-year rabies duration of immunity in dogs following vaccination with a core combination vaccine against canine distemper virus, canine adenovirus type-1, canine parvovirus, and rabies virus

Thirty-two seronegative pups were vaccinated at 8 weeks of age with modified-live canine distemper virus (CDV), canine adenovirus type-2 (CAV-2), and canine parvovirus (CPV) vaccine and at 12 weeks with a modified-live CDV, CAV-2, CPV, and killed rabies virus vaccine. An additional 31 seronegative pups served as age-matched, nonvaccinated controls. All test dogs were strictly isolated for 3 years after receiving the second vaccination and then were challenged with virulent rabies virus. Clinical signs of rabies were prevented in 28 (88%) of the 32 vaccinated dogs. In contrast, 97% (30 of 31) of the control dogs died of rabies infection. These study results indicated that no immunogenic interference occurred between the modified-live vaccine components and the killed rabies virus component. Furthermore, these results indicated that the rabies component in the test vaccine provided protection against virulent rabies challenge in dogs 12 weeks of age or older for a minimum of 3 years following vaccination.