Dog Disease - Infectious Hepatitis

Infectious canine hepatitis affects the liver of the dogs. It is causes by adenovirus type-1. This virus also causes diseases in other animals which include wolves, coyotes, bears, foxes and encephalitis.

Causes
This disease is contracted through the nose or mouth and then multiplied in the tonsils. This virus is spread via blood, saliva, mucus, urine, feces and nasal discharge of the dogs already suffering from infectious canine hepatitis.

Symptoms
Symptoms of this dog disease include:
•    Fever
•    Depression
•    Loss of appetite
•    Coughing
•    Tender abdomen
•    Corneal edema

Signs of liver diseases which may include the following:-
  • Jaundice
  • Vomiting
  • Hepatic encephalopathy

If the disease worsens then bleeding disorders can also be seen which will become obvious by the formation of hematomas in the mouth. Most dogs may survive this dog disease, but in certain cases it may have a fatal outcome. Even after recovery, the dog may suffer from chronic corneal edema and kidney lesions. 

Treatment
There is no specific treatment for this disease. The dogs will recover on their own if they are otherwise well looked after and healthy. However, this dog disease can be prevented through vaccination. Vaccines will contain modified canine adenovirus type-2 which is very similar to type 1 and as a result of this the dog will be vaccinated for both diseases by just one vaccine.