SEROLOGICAL STUDY OF CANINE PARVOVIRUS-2 ANTIBODY TITERS FROM A DOG SHELTER IN BULGARIA

Abstract

Canine parvovirosis represents one of the most communicable and fatal gastrointestinal infections. The rapid spread and the extreme contagiousness of the canine parvovirus-2 (CPV-2) makes this disease a serious challenge especially in dog shelters and kennels. Disease control is based on vaccination of the most susceptible age groups. The aim of the current study was to determine the CPV-2 post vaccination antibody titers in a shelter population of young dogs, vaccinated according to a three-dose regimen. Anti CPV humoral immunity was demonstrated in 90% (288/320) of vaccinated animals while 10% (32/320) showed low to no antibody titer. The results confirmed that the three-regimen CPV vaccination protocol can provide a successful post vaccination cover in the majority of shelter dogs. However, the relatively high vaccination failure rate indicates possible gaps in the development of sustainable herd immunity.