Serologic response of maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus) to canine distemper virus and canine parvovirus vaccination

This study evaluated the immune response of 47 (22 males, 25 females) captive maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus) to modified-live canine parvovirus and canine distemper virus (Onderstepoort and Rockborn strains) vaccines. Sera were collected from 33 adults and 14 pups, including five free-ranging pups captured at I yr of age or younger. All the adults and four captive-born pups had been vaccinated prior to this first blood collection. Virus neutralization and hemagglutination-inhibition assay, were performed for quantitating antibodies against canine distemper and canine parvovirus, respectively. Distemper antibody titers greater than or equal to 100 were present in 57% of adults and 14% of pups. All adults and 29% of pups had parvovirus antibody titers greater than or equal to 80. After vaccination, 72% of the wolves developed antibody titers greater than or equal to 100 against distemper and 98% developed titers greater than or equal to 80 against parvovirus. Both vaccines used were safe and immunogenic to juvenile and adult maned wolves, regardless of prior vaccination history.