Canine hepatitis is a highly contagious disease caused by a virus. The disease can affect your dog’s liver as well as other organs.
Cause
Infectious canine hepatitis is caused by the canine adenovirus type 1, also known as CAV-1. Your dog can get the virus if he comes into direct contact with an infected dog. Canine hepatitis can also be contracted if your dog comes into contact with the body fluids of an infected dog. The virus can also be spread by ticks, mosquitoes, and fleas.
Symptoms
Canine hepatitis can either be acute or severe. Dogs with the acute form will usually be sick for a week. They will likely experience vomiting, diarrhea, and fevers. Canine hepatitis can also cause the liver to swell, and the dog may refuse to eat. Other symptoms of the acute form include swollen lymph nodes, pale gums, and yellowish eyes. Some dogs may require hospitalization before the condition resolves.
The severe form of canine hepatitis is often fatal. Dogs with this form will experience bloody diarrhea and vomit. They will also bleed from their gums and nose. This form of canine hepatitis also causes major damage to the liver which can cause seizures or a coma.
Treatment
Unfortunately, there is no specific treatment for canine hepatitis. Dogs with the severe form often die within a week. Sometimes, dogs will die suddenly within a few hours of showing initial symptoms. A mild case of infectious canine hepatitis may require hospitalization. There, the dog will receive intravenous fluids to prevent dehydration from the vomiting or diarrhea. The dog may also require additional supportive care.
Prevention
There are vaccines available to help prevent canine hepatitis. Although mainly given to puppies, the vaccine can also be given to adult dogs. The vaccine for canine hepatitis can contain adenovirus type 1 or type 2. Although type 1 causes hepatitis in dogs, the vaccine with type 2 will also protect against the disease.