Fowl cholera vaccination of growing turkeys with CU strain via routes other than oral.

Turkeys developed a high level of protective immunity and serum anti-Pasteurella multocida antibody when vaccinated with the Clemson University (CU) strain of P. multocida via the following routes: wing-web puncture with the recommended dosage or 1:10 dilution of this dosage, subcutaneous, crop injection, cloacal perfusion of the bursa of Fabricius, and intratracheal. The development of immunity after vaccination via the wing-web puncture and subcutaneous routes was dose-dependent: the lower dosages induced less serum antibody and protective immunity. Immunity was greatest 3 weeks after vaccination via wing-web puncture, although immunity was evident as early as 4 days after vaccination. A high level of antibody and protective immunity with no adverse reactions was induced by vaccinating twice, either by the drinking water followed by a similar dosage parenterally or by a parenteral route followed by the drinking water; these regimens were similar to one vaccination in the drinking water. Vaccination via wing-web puncture and possibly subcutaneous injection and bursal perfusion could be used for flocks with a history of a high mortality after vaccination with the CU vaccine in the drinking water and suspected of being immunosuppressed.