VACCINATION OF BLACK-FOOTED FERRET (MUSTELA NIGRIPES) × SIBERIAN POLECAT (M. EVERSMANNI) HYBRIDS AND DOMESTIC FERRETS (M. PUTORIUS FURO) AGAINST CANINE DISTEMPER

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Abstract
An inactivated canine distemper vaccine with adjuvant and a modified-live virus (MLV) vaccine were evaluated using black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) × Siberian polecat (Mustela eversmanni) hybrids as surrogates for endangered black-footed ferrets. For comparative purposes, we also vaccinated domestic ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) with the MLV vaccine. Response to vaccination was measured by clinical observation, hematology, dynamics of serum virus neutralizing antibodies, and challenge with virulent canine distemper virus. No clinical signs attributable to the vaccines were observed. Transient leukopenia occurred in hybrid ferrets that received MLV vaccine and there was marked lymphopenia for approximately 52 days post-vaccination. Lymphopenia was present for approximately 21 days in domestic ferrets vaccinated with MLV vaccine. Neutralizing antibodies against canine distemper virus were detected 14 days post-vaccination in hybrids receiving MLV vaccine and most titers were > 1:1024 for the 791 day...