A Look At Hepatitis In Canines

Dogs develop hepatitis due to a viral infection. This disease causes the most damage to the liver. However, the virus can also damage other organs. Here is everything owners need to know regarding infectious canine hepatitis.

Transmission

As you just learned, this disease is caused by a virus. This virus is known as canine adenovirus type 1, or CAV-1 for short. Most dogs get infected when they come into direct contact with an infected dog. Your dog can also become infected via contaminated body fluids. Mosquitoes, ticks, and other parasites can also pass the disease.

Signs

Your dog may develop either acute or severe hepatitis. Dogs with the acute form will experience vomiting, fever, and diarrhea. Other common signs include pale gums, swollen lymph nodes, and yellowish eyes. If your dog’s liver also swells up, he may stop eating.

Dogs with the acute form of this disease usually recover after a week or so. The severe form is easily life-threatening. Dogs with this form display symptoms such as bloody gums, bloody nose, and blood in stool and vomit. This form can easily damage the liver severely. Your dog may experience seizures or go into a coma.

Treatment

Your dog may have to be hospitalized to treat a mild case of this disease. Treatment involves giving intravenous fluids to combat dehydration that can be brought on by the diarrhea or vomiting. Additional supportive care may also be necessary.

Prognosis

There is no specific treatment for hepatitis in dogs. The severe form of this disease can be fatal within a week. Some dogs even pass away just hours after showing signs of a problem. Dogs may be able to recover from the acute form.

Prevention

The vaccine to guard against dog hepatitis is usually given to puppies. Unvaccinated adults can also get the vaccine shot. The vaccine can contain either adenovirus type 1 or 2. Both type 1 and type 2 help prevent dogs from developing hepatitis.

Dogs can be affected by many different conditions such as canine seizures. You can read up on many different potential health problems at dog-illnesses.com. So, stop by today to learn about a wide range of these conditions.

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