This article presents the results of a study of captive tigers (Panthera tigris) and lions (Panthera leo) vaccinated with a
recombinant vaccine against feline leukemia virus; an inactivated adjuvanted
vaccine against rabies virus; and a multivalent modified live
vaccine against feline herpesvirus, calicivirus, and panleukopenia virus. The aim of the study was to assess the immune response and safety of the
vaccines and to compare the effects of the administration of single (1 ml) and double (2 ml) doses. The animals were separated into two groups and received either single or double doses of
vaccines, followed by blood collection for serologic response for 400 days. No serious adverse event was observed, with the exception of abortion in one lioness, potentially caused by the incorrect use of the feline panleukopenia virus modified live
vaccine. There was no significant difference between single and double doses for all
vaccines. The
recombinant vaccine against feline leukemia virus did not induce any serologic response. The
vaccines against
rabies and feline herpesvirus induced a significant immune response in the tigers and lions. The
vaccine against calicivirus did not induce a significant increase in antibody titers in either tigers or lions. The
vaccine against feline panleukopenia virus induced a significant immune response in tigers but not in lions. This report demonstrates the value of antibody titer determination after vaccination of nondomestic felids.