Julie Deschant, DVM
University of California, Davis,
Serological Response of Alpacas to Rabies Vaccination
$6,935
The vast majority of rabies cases are diagnosed in wild animal species, but the occurrence of rabies in domesticated animals is of primary concern due to the increased risk for human exposure. Outbreaks of rabies in alpacas have been reported in South America and rabies has been reported in camelids in the US, the most recent report being in Pennsylvania in December 2006. Available rabies vaccines are not licensed for use in camelids As such, vaccination protocols currently in use for camelids are extrapolated from use in other species and may vary among veterinarians. The purpose of this study is to measure and compare the serological (antibody) response produced following rabies vaccination using 2 vaccination protocols in a group of alpacas that have not previously been vaccinated against rabies.