Immunisation: Breeding and Lifeline
Canine Parovirus Immunization: Myths And Realities Time and again, questions have often been asked related to immunization of dogs. For example: Are vaccines safe? What are the risks where adverse reactions are known to occur, such as with MLV distemper and canine adenovirus vaccines? How soon do vaccines provide protection when a dog is exposed to virulent virus? How long does immunity last? Does a vaccine protect against actual infection and subsequent transmission of a pathogen, or only against disease? Should vaccines be expected to provide protection under all circumstances of breeding and management, or are other methods of disease control of equal or even greater importance? Distinguishing The Viruses: Canine parvovirus-2 (CPV-2) is a term used to distinguish the highly pathogenic parvovirus from the “minute virus of canines” (CPV-I): CPV-2 is closely related to feline, mink and raccoon parvoviruses, but it is known to infect and cause disease only in members of the dog family. The principal mode of transmission is by fecal-oral spread. Virus is shed in the faeces of infected dogs for about one week, but not longer than two weeks. A carrier state has not been confirmed. CPV-2 is very stable to heat and most Read more […]