Serologic survey of selected viral agents in recently captured wild North American river otters (Lontra canadensis)

Blood samples were collected from 64 wild North American river otters (Lont ra [Lutra] canadensis) from northern and eastern New York State and analyze d fur serologic evidence of exposure to selected viral agents during a 1995 -1996 translocation program. No clinical signs of disease nor lesions sugge stive of prior viral exposure were seen. Titers were detected for antibodie s against canine distemper virus, canine herpesvirus-l, and canine parvovir us-2 but not for antibodies against canine adenovirus-l, canine coronavirus , canine parainfluenza virus, rabies virus, feline herpesvirus-l, feline ca licivirus, or feline coronavirus. This is the first report of titers for an tibodies against canine herpesvirus-l in North American river otters, and i t suggests a low prevalence of antibody titers against most canine viruses in otter populations in northern and eastern New York. Confounding variable s in this study could include exposure to domestic dogs associated with the project, prolonged time spent in captivity, and concurrent bacterial or pa rasitic infection. Stress-associated humoral immune suppression could have altered serologic profiles, especially in otters exposed to dogs after trap ping but before venipuncture.