Vaccination and Serology

Question 1

What is the difference between passive and active immunisation?

Answer 1

Passive- uses antibodies e.g. from colostrum, antiserum
Active- uses antigen via toxoids, killed virus or Modified live, subunit or recombinant nucleic acid

Question 2

How many doses of an MLV/ recombinant viral vaccine is required for immunity?

Answer 2

Single dose as long as its done when patient is older than 3 months

Question 3

How many doses of a killed/ subunit vaccines are required for immunity?

Answer 3

2 doses given 2-4 weeks apart

Question 4

What Non-core/Optional vaccines are available for dogs?

Answer 4

Kennel Cough, Leptospirosis, Leishmaniosis

Question 4

What Core vaccines are recommended for dogs?

Answer 4

Distemper (CDV), Parvovirus (CPV), Infectious Canine Hepatatitis (CAV)
[and Rabies in some endemic areas or for PETS travel scheme]

Question 5

What do we need to consider when vaccinating dogs before 14 weeks?

Answer 5

MDA is variable in persistence but typically lasts 8-14 weeks (12 on average)

Question 6

What do the WSAVA Guidelines say about primary course vaccination timings?

Answer 6

Three doses should be given at 8, 12, and 14-16 weeks
[then perform serology at 20 weeks to confirm immunity]

Question 7

What is a 9/10 week finish and why is this performed?

Answer 7

When some companies recommend a 2 dose primary course- one at 6-8 weeks and then a 2nd dose at 9-10 weeks
Allows for early socialisation of puppies

Question 8

Which breeds have poor responses to vaccines?

How do we combat that?

Answer 8

Black and Tan breeds such as Dobermann’s and Rottweilers
Targeted Serology performed post vaccine and then a possible 3rd dose should be given at 16 weeks

Question 9

Do we need to administer Booster vaccines and if so how often?

Answer 9

For core- receive a booster at 1 year old
For non core- annual boosters are required (because these vaccines aren’t very immunogenic)

Question 10

Give an example of a Therapeutic Vaccine we can administer?

Answer 10

i. Desensitisation vaccine can be given for allergic skin disease (like an immunotherapy)
ii. Anti cancer vaccine available to treat Canine Malignant Melanoma

Question 11

What Core vaccines are available for Cats? (3)

Answer 11

Calcivirus
Herpesvirus
Panleukopenia Virus aka Feline Enteritis

Question 12

What non-core vaccines are available for Cats? (3)

Answer 12

FeLV, Chlamydia, Bordetella Bronchiseptica

Question 13

What vaccines are available to Rabbits? (2)

Answer 13

Myxomatosis
Rabbit Viral Haemorrhagic Disease

[combined vaccine is available for these now]

Question 14

What passive immunity vaccines are available to Horses?

Answer 14

Tetanus Antitoxin
Rotavirus- vaccinate mare during pregnancy and immunity is passed to foal via MDA
Hypermune equine plasma- given when there is a failure of passive transfer

Question 15

What CORE active immunity vaccinations are available to Horses?

Answer 15

Equine Influenza
Tetanus Toxoid
Equine Herpesvirus (EHV-1 & EHV-4 strains)

Question 15

As with companion animals, if a Horse misses the window of one of the vaccine doses it doesn’t have to restart its course.
TRUE or FALSE?

Answer 15

If not competing TRUE but FEI Legislation for competing Horses will not allow ‘incomplete courses’

Question 16

Does the timing of when we perform the serology matter when determining vaccine efficacy?
If so why?

Answer 16

YES- if testing early (7 days ish) antibody production will be in the LAG phase so will show up as a negative result

Question 17

How can measuring antibody isotypes help determine if there has been previous exposure to a disease (and therefore how many vaccine doses should be given)?

Answer 17

IgM is produced first by the immune system and then it class switches to IgG so depending on which is present will tell you how recently the exposure was