Defensor 1, 10 dose

Defensor 1 is a rabies vaccine for healthy dogs and cats 3 months of age or older to aid in the prevention of rabies. The vaccine is prepared from cell-culture-grown, chemically inactivated rabies virus.

Defensor 1 RabiesVaccine Killed Virus For use in dogs and cats PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: Defensor 1 is for vaccination of healthy dogs and cats 3 months of age or older as an aid in preventing rabies. The vaccine is prepared from cell-culture-grown, chemically inactivated rabies virus. The seed virus is a highly immunogenic, fixed strain of rabies virus which originated from Louis Pasteurs original isolate in 1882. The inactivated virus is formulated with a highly purified adjuvant and is packaged in liquid form. DISEASE DESCRIPTION: Rabies is a worldwide, high mortality disease affecting mammalian species. Wild animals are common vectors of the disease and the major source of transmission to humans and domestic animals. Despite successful attempts over the years to reduce the incidence of rabies, recent published reports indicate that in the U.S. more than 30,000 people undergo treatment every year for possible exposure.1 Domestic animals are the major source of exposure for humans. Since 1980, the most commonly reported rabid domestic animals have been cats, cattle, and dogs. In 1990, a total of 4,881 cases of animal rabies were reported to the Center for Disease Control by all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.2 Susceptibility to rabies varies according to pet species. Rabies is not a treatable disease and suspect pets are usually quarantined until a clinical diagnosis is made, at which time they are destroyed. The route of infection can be oral, respiratory, or parenteral. Following infection, a paralytic syndrome ensues, emerging as either the furious or dumb form. Furious rabies is characterized by unusual aggression; dumb rabies by lethargy and a desire to avoid contact. Respiratory failure is the immediate cause of death. SAFETY AND EFFICACY: Because Defensor 1 is produced on an established cell line, it has safety advantages over inactivated brain-origin rabies vaccines. Tissue-origin vaccines contain extraneous protein in addition to rabies antigen that can lead to autoimmune disease. The established cell line used in Defensor 1 has been extensively tested for freedom from contaminating agents. In addition, use of an established cell line yields a vaccine of consistent potency from serial to serial. Defensor 1 has proven to be uniformly safe in experimental tests, and no significant adverse reactions were reported in extensive clinical trials of the vaccine. A duration-of-immunity study, conducted in accordance with federal regulation and under U.S. Department of Agriculture direction, demonstrated that a 1-mL dose met federal guidelines for protection of dogs and cats against virulent challenge administered more than a year after vaccination. DIRECTIONS: General Directions: Shake well. Aseptically administer 1 mL subcutaneously. Dogs may be vaccinated intramuscularly or subcutaneously. Primary Vaccination: Healthy dogs and cats should receive a single dose at 3 months of age or older. A repeat dose should be administered 1 year later. Revaccination: Annual revaccination with a single dose is recommended. PRECAUTIONS: Store at 2 - 7C. Prolonged exposure to higher temperatures may adversely affect potency. Do not freeze. Use entire contents when first opened. Sterilized syringes and needles should be used to administer this vaccine. Contains gentamicin as preservative. As with many vaccines, anaphylaxis may occur after use. Initial antidote of epinephrine is recommended and should be followed with appropriate supportive therapy. This product has been shown to be efficacious in healthy animals. A protective immune response may not be elicited if animals are incubating an infectious disease, are malnourished or parasitized, are stressed due to shipment or environmental conditions, are otherwise immunocompromised, or the vaccine is not administered in accordance with label directions.