Assessing the immunogenicity of an inactivated monovalent vaccine in the endangered African wild dog (Lycaon pictus)

Captive held African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) were vaccinated with a commercially available inactivated canine parvovirus (CPV) vaccine licensed for use in domestic dogs. Serological responses were recorded by testing for viral antibodies with the haemagglutination inhibition test (HAI) following a vaccination schedule involving two initial inoculations a month apart and an annual booster. Vaccines were delivered by hand injection or remotely (i.e. by dart). All naïve dogs vaccinated with Parvac® did seroconvert as determined by canine antibody titres ≥ 1:80 in one or more samples collected after inoculation. Duration of immunity (DOI) within the first year persisted for approximately 98 days only. To enable greater immunological protection revaccination should occur more frequently than once in a calendar year. No significant differences in the seroprotection rate were observed when comparing route of administration.