Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Fennec fox developed distemper and adenovirus after vaccine
By Tamukai, Kenichi et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary diagnostic investigation : official publication of the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, Inc·2020·Den-en-chofu Animal Hospital, Japan·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Molecular evidence for vaccine-induced canine distemper virus and canine adenovirus 2 coinfection in a fennec fox.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 61-day-old fennec fox developed a runny nose and eyes, followed by seizures and coughing up blood, just 11 days after receiving a vaccine meant to protect against several viruses, including canine distemper and adenovirus. Sadly, the fox passed away, and tests showed severe brain and lung damage caused by both viruses from the vaccine. This case highlights the potential risks of vaccine-induced infections in wild animals, suggesting that careful consideration is needed before vaccinating non-domestic species.
People also search for: fennec fox vaccine side effects · canine distemper vaccine risks · fox seizures after vaccination
Abstract
A 61-d-old fennec fox (), 11 d after receiving a multivalent, modified-live virus vaccine containing canine distemper virus (CDV), canine adenovirus 2 (CAdV-2), parainfluenza virus, parvovirus, and canine coronavirus, developed oculonasal discharge, and subsequently convulsions, and hemoptysis, and died. Microscopic changes in the cerebrum were evident, including neuronal degeneration and necrosis; intracytoplasmic eosinophilic inclusion bodies were observed in astrocytes. CDV was detected in the brain tissue by immunohistochemistry. Pulmonary lesions of multifocal necrotizing bronchopneumonia had Cowdry type A intranuclear inclusions in the bronchial epithelial cells. Electron microscopy revealed crystalline arrays of adenovirus-like particles within the intranuclear inclusions. Additionally, the hemagglutinin gene of CDV and the CAdV-2 DNA polymerase gene were detected in the fennec fox; sequence analysis showed 100% identity with those of the vaccine strain viruses. To our knowledge, vaccine-induced CDV and CAdV-2 coinfections using molecular analysis have not been reported previously. Therefore, vaccine strains should be considered prior to CDV vaccination in nondomestic carnivores.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32560597/