Evaluation of lactogenic immunity to canine parvovirus in pups.

Maternally-derived antibodies (MDA) transferred to pups through colostrum and milk are known as lactogenic immunity. In this report, we describe the kinetics of transfer of lactogenic immunity to canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) from two bitches (A and B) to their offspring. At day 7 before parturition, bitches A and B had high serum antibody titers, which decreased rapidly within a few hours after parturition, in concomitance with the appearance of high HI titers in colostrum. Subsequently, the serum antibodies of the two dogs increased again, reaching approximately the initial titers. CPV-specific antibodies were observed in milk, with decreasing values, throughout the lactation period. The kinetics of MDA observed in the pups was consistent with the patterns of absorption and decline previously described.