Hepatitis

What is Hepatitis?

At its core, Hepatitis is a medical term that stands for inflammation of the liver. In the realm of canine science, the term typically refers to Infectious Canine Hepatitis (ICH), a disease caused by canine adenovirus.

The Cause of Canine Hepatitis

Canine Hepatitis is caused by Canine Adenovirus Type 1 (CAV-1). This virus targets organs with high metabolic activity, and the liver is one of the most affected ones in many cases. CAV-1 can be caught from infected saliva, urine, feces, or nasal discharge of a sick dog.

Symptoms of Hepatitis in Dogs

Symptoms can range widely. Some dogs may not show any signs of illness, while others may experience severe illness. Common signs include fever, loss of appetite, jaundice, increased thirst and urination, and belly pain. In advanced stages, the disease can cause clouding of the cornea - known as 'blue eye'.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis of Hepatitis relies mainly on the clinical signs, blood tests, and detection of the specific virus in the body. Early detection is vital to managing the potential impact of this disease. A vet may prescribe treatments to manage individual symptoms. Sadly, there's no specific cure for Hepatitis, but a timely vaccination can prevent it.

Prevention is the Best Cure

Fortunately, there's a vaccine against Canine Hepatitis - it's usually part of the standard multi-vaccine given to dogs. All in all, the best way to keep Canine Hepatitis at bay is to ensure your pet is regularly vaccinated and its living space is kept clean.