2016 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program

Specific antibodies against canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV2) and E. coli were obtained in eggs from hens vaccinated separately against one of the mentioned agents 3 . Egg yolk was flash-dried and tested for the presence of CPV2 and E. coli-specific antibodies. Hyper-immune solution was then prepared by mixing egg powder with a commercial milk replacer (Babydog Milk, Royal Canin, Aimargues, France; 1 g of egg powder with CPV2 antibodies and 1 g of egg powder with E. coli antibodies with 12 mL of reconstituted milk). A total of 334 puppies from 16 different breeds, enrolled in one breeding kennel, were included in the study. Depending on the expected adult body weight, puppies were classified into small breed dogs (S; adult weight < 25 kg), and large breed dogs (L; > 25 kg). Within each litter and taking into account the birth weight, puppies were assigned into supplemented or control group. Each puppy from the supplemented group received orally 1.5 mL/100 g bw of hyper-immune solution at once within the first 8 hours after birth. Puppies from the control group received at the same dose (1.5 mL/100 g) and time after birth (< 8 h) the milk replacer only. All puppies were weighed at birth and at 7, 14, and 21 days of life. Linear mixed models (MIXED procedure; SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA) with litter modeled as a random effect were performed to determine the variables affecting birth weight and weight gain during the neonatal period: breed size (small; large), age (0-7; 7-14; 14-21 days), supplementation (supplemented or control group). All the interactions between mentioned fixed effects were also tested.