No adverse effects of simultaneous vaccination with the immunocontraceptive GonaCon and a commercial rabies vaccine on rabies virus neutralizing antibody production in dogs.
Parenteral vaccination campaigns are integral to the elimination of canine rabies. To maximize herd immunity in dogs, immunocontraception provided at the time of rabies vaccination should reduce fecundity and dog abundance. GonaCon has been used successfully as an immunocontraceptive in a variety of mammals, and by inference, the dog would be an ideal candidate for testing. As an initial step in evaluating a combination-vaccination program, we assessed the effects of GonaCon on rabies virus neutralizing antibody production in dogs after administration of a veterinary rabies vaccine. Eighteen feral/free ranging dogs were included in this initial study: six were given GonaCon only, six were given rabies vaccination only, and six received GonaCon and rabies vaccination. Antibody levels were evaluated over 82 days. The use of the immunocontraceptive GonaCon did not affect the ability of dogs to seroconvert in response to the rabies vaccine. Thus, GonaCon provides a potential immunocontraceptive for use in combination with rabies vaccine to increase herd immunity and address dog population over abundance to better manage rabies.
Bender
Scott C
SC
Navajo Nation Veterinary Program, Navajo Nation, Chinle, AZ, USA.
Bergman
David L
DL
Wenning
Krista M
KM
Miller
Lowell A
LA
Slate
Dennis
D
Jackson
Felix R
FR
Rupprecht
Charles E
CE
D000818:Animals; D057134:Antibodies, Neutralizing / Q000097:blood; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D003269:Contraception, Immunologic / Q000009:adverse effects; D004285:Dogs / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D011818:Rabies / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000662:veterinary*; D011819:Rabies Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology*; D014611:Vaccination / Q000662:veterinary; D022642:Vaccines, Contraceptive / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology*
D057134:Antibodies, Neutralizing; D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D011819:Rabies Vaccines; D022642:Vaccines, Contraceptive