SEROLOGIC RESPONSE AND ADVERSE EFFECTS OF RECOMBINANT CANINE DISTEMPER VACCINATION IN THREE AQUARIUM-HOUSED WALRUSES (ODOBENUS ROSMARUS).

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.