Infectious Hepatitis in Dogs
A Contagious Liver Infection which causes Generalized Illness.
Jul 18, 2009
Infectious canine hepatitis is a transmittable disease of dogs seen all around the world. It is a generalized condition involving vital organs. infectious canine hepatitis may cause fever and congestion of mucous membranes, depression, delayed clotting, leukemia and extreme loss of physiological conditions. Puppies are more susceptible, thus mortality rate is relatively higher in puppies.
Cause of Infectious Hepatitis in Dogs
Infectious hepatitis in dogs is caused by a DNA virus, called canine adenovirus 1 (CAV - 1). Virus may survive outside the host for months. A solution of 1 - 3% household bleach is very effective in disinfecting this virus.
Virus is transmitted once a healthy dog ingests urine, saliva or feces of infected dog. Recovered dogs may shed virus for more then 6 months.
Pathogenesis involves tonsillar swelling, followed by viremia (virus in blood) and at last infection of endothelial cells of various organs like liver, spleen, kidney and lungs.
Symptoms
Signs may vary from mild fever to death and puppies are more at risk.
Initial sign appears with onset of fever, which usually persists for 1 - 6 days and remains above 104°F. Acute generalized illness can be noted on second day of fever. Along with fever, leukemia is main sign.
Other signs too are exhibited by infected dog as,
- Anorexia or loss of appetite
- Increased thirst
- Conjunctivitis
- Discharge from eyes and nose
- Abdominal pain and vomiting
- Enlarged tonsils
Bleeding time is prolonged and is correlated with severity of illness and conditions. Respiratory signs like panting, cough or labored breathing is less common but may exist due to similarities of virus to CAV - 2 or that causing tracheobronchitis in dogs.
In recovered dogs bilateral corneal clouding and opacity may be seen, and is usually self resolving.
Diagnosis
A sudden onset of clinical signs and prolonged bleeding time is sufficient to suspect canine infectious hepatitis (ICH). It should anyhow be differentiated from canine distemper by isolating virus and by characterizing inclusion bodies in liver.
Treatment
Blood transfusion is very necessary for those dogs confirmed for infectious hepatitis, exhibiting severe illness. Intra venous (IV) administration of 5% dextrose in isotonic saline solution is highly recommended in addition.
Administration of broad spectrum antibiotics is required, as tetracyclines. Tetracyclines should not be administered to puppies as it may cause teeth discolouration.
Corneal opacity does not require any treatment in many cases, but ointments containing atropine may be applied.
Prevention
Commercially, a modified live vaccine for infectious hepatitis is available in combination of other vaccines.
Puppies should be vaccinated with modified live vaccine at age of 9 - 12 weeks, along with canine distemper vaccine. Annual re vaccination is also recommended.
Vaccination may cause slight corneal opacity, but is self resolving. Vaccinated dogs may shed virus for quite some time.
Canine Infectious Hepatitis is a contagious disease, can spread rapidly and puppies are most susceptible. It is noted that disease has become uncommon in those populations of dogs which are regularly vaccinated.
Reference
Merck Veterinary Manual (Merial and Co. 2008)
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