[Experiences in the paraimmunization of cats in veterinary practice]

The inducer PIND-AVI was used prophylactically and therapeutically to test the effects of paramunization in a SPF cat colony and in various small animal practices. Prophylactic paramunization significantly improved the breeding results in the SPF cat colony. Mortality declined from 44.6% to 3.4%. The corresponding placebo groups were also tested thereby demonstrating the significance of the results. In comparison, the treatment of acutely diseased cats (all of the same litter or the same colony) showed that paramunization can also be used as an additional measure to the conventional therapy of infectious diseases with different etiology. Furthermore, it is possible that this measure alone can limit the incidence of disease providing the dosage is high enough and treatment is long enough (at least 3-5 days). The course of disease is thereafter mild and complications can be hindered. Chronic and recurrent infections (e.g., dermatitis and gingivitis) can be controlled with repeated paramunization. Prophylactic paramunization decreases the danger of an acute infection and provides for the newborn's fast adaptation to a contaminated environment. It also reduces the consequences of an exogenous and endogenous immune suppression.