Prevention
Immunization:
Vaccine
associated
immunity is long lasting , but not
permanent (2).
Inoculation is useful within 4 days of exposure to the virus
(2).
Typically the CDV vaccine is combined with
other vaccines including:
Canine Parvovirus, Parainfluenza, Adenovirus 2, Leptospirosis, and
Corona virus (4).
3 types of CDV vaccines are
available.
17. Distemper Vaccine
18.
Distemper Vaccine
CDV Vaccination
Guidelines (5):
|
Vaccine
|
Age
of Dog
|
Manufacturers'
Booster Recommendation
|
Comments
|
|
<
16 Weeks of
Age
|
>16
Weeks of Age
|
|
Canine
Distemper Virus
(MLV)
|
3
doses:
6-7
wks,
3
months,
4 months
|
1
dose
|
Annually
|
Highly Recommended
|
|
rCanine Distemper Virus (rCDV)
|
3 doses:
6-7
wks,
3
months,
4 months
|
2
doses:
3-4
wks apart
|
Annually
|
Highly Recommended: May take longer to
protect immunologically naïve dogs.
|
Distemper Measles
|
One
dose:
6-12 wks
(MLV
or rCDV follows at 14-16 wks of age)
|
Not
for female dogs >12 weeks of age.
|
Not
Recommended
|
Not Recommended for routine use. Do
not administer to any dog over 16 weeks of age.
Administer IM only
|
Modified Live
Vaccines:
Modified live virus (MLV)
vaccines are considered to be the most
effective means of protection (5).
They
are designed to induce an immune
response but not illness (4). MLV
vaccines for CDV are prepared as either: canine
tissue
culture-adapted vaccines (Rockborn strain) or the Chick embryo
adapted-vaccines
(e.g., Onderstepoort and Lederle strains). The Rockborn strain is
considered to
be nearly 100% effective, but is considered a risk in dogs with
weakened immune
systems (1,2,6). Only healthy animals
should be vaccinated to prevent
vaccine-induced distemper. Protection for 7 years has been demonstrated
experimentally (5). The Onderstepoort
preparation is
considered to be safer than the Rockborn
strain, however efficacy is listed at 80% (2,6).
Protection for 5 years
has
been demonstrated experimentally (5).
Side effects of MLV vaccines occur rarely 1 to 2
weeks after
vaccination (2). Vaccine induced
distemper is characterized by
encephalitis,
behavioural changes, and blindness. The mortality is rate is high
(2,6). Any
modified live CDV vaccine may be fatal for wildlife and zoo animals,
these
species require an inactivated virus vaccine, which is no longer
available
commercially as its efficacy is considered to be inferior (6).
Recombinant
Vaccines:
Recombinant
Vaccines
(rCDV) are prepared using a harmless
virus (Canary Pox) which has been tagged
with a CDV
protein capable of generating an immune response. Safety
is assured, as it is impossible
for
this vaccine to cause distemper
(4,6). The efficacy and duration of
protection
is considered
inferior to the MLV vaccine.
The Human Measles Virus
:
This virus has been historically used to vaccinate
against CDV. It is
considered the best choice to circumvent maternal antibody
interference
(6). Subsequent immunity is relatively
shortlived compared to
protection
offered by modified live or recombinant vaccines (4,6). Infection
conferred by this vaccine prevents
disease but not infection (6).
19.
Vanguard Distemper Vaccine
The uncommon failure of
CDV vaccine has been attributed to several factors. Maternal antibodies
derived
in utero and via colostrum, have been shown to neutralize the vaccine
in half
of the puppies vaccinated at 6 weeks of age (3).
For this reason, 3
administrations of the CDV vaccine are recommended as this phenomenon
is
significantly diminished by 12 weeks of age (3).
The concurrent use of
antibiotics suchs as
tetracyclines and chloramphenicol is not recommended (3). It should be
noted
that excessive environmental exposure to CDV may result in disease in
animals
considered to be protected under normal circumstances (3).
Homeopathy:
Although sometimes
used,
homeopathic prevention of CDV using nosodes
has not been adequately
substantiated. A nosode is defined as a
preparation made from diseased or
pathological products (7). These
include fecal, urinary, and respiratory
discharges, tissues, and blood products.
The use of these products has recently
resulted in a high number of deaths
of puppies in several kennels. (6).
Strategies
at Home:
Any suspected cases should be isolated immediately (2,6). All
other dogs
in the home should be
prophylactically vaccinated, if their vaccines are not up to date.
CDV is susceptible to: heat,
sunlight, and most detergents. Contaminated
surfaces and living areas of the
home should be disinfected with a bleach
and water solution (1:30)
(2). If a new puppy is desired it
is recommend
to wait at least
one month to
allow the virus to be cleared from the home (2).
20.
Cagged Puppy
Home