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20 March 2023 SEROLOGIC RESPONSE AND ADVERSE EFFECTS OF RECOMBINANT CANINE DISTEMPER VACCINATION IN THREE AQUARIUM-HOUSED WALRUSES (ODOBENUS ROSMARUS)
Julie Pujol, Catherine Rousseau, Claire Vergneau-Grosset
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Abstract

Fatalities have been associated with phocine and canine distemper viruses in marine mammals, including pinnipeds. No data are available regarding distemper disease or vaccination in walruses. This study evaluates seroconversion and clinical adverse effects following administration of a canarypox-vectored recombinant distemper vaccination (two 1-ml doses, 3 wk apart) in three adult aquarium-housed walruses. Serum antibodies to distemper were measured using seroneutralization on blood samples collected under operant conditioning prior to and for 12 mon after vaccination or until titers were <32. All walruses seroconverted. Medium positive titers (64–128) were detected for 4 to 9.5 mon in two of three individuals. Interindividual variability was noted, with one individual displaying only low positive titers. Major swelling at the site of injection and lameness for a week following injection occurred in all three walruses. Further studies on dosing amount and interval are needed to make vaccine recommendations in this species.

Julie Pujol, Catherine Rousseau, and Claire Vergneau-Grosset "SEROLOGIC RESPONSE AND ADVERSE EFFECTS OF RECOMBINANT CANINE DISTEMPER VACCINATION IN THREE AQUARIUM-HOUSED WALRUSES (ODOBENUS ROSMARUS)," Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 54(1), 131-136, (20 March 2023). https://doi.org/10.1638/2022-0018
Accepted: 26 October 2022; Published: 20 March 2023
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