Canine infectious hepatitis is an adenovirus that attacks the liver, blood vessels, immune system, kidneys, eyes, lungs, and heart. Symptoms can vary depending on which body systems are affected.
Infectious hepatitis spreads in bodily fluids (urine, faeces and saliva). Thankfully, canine infectious hepatitis has largely been eliminated due to excellent vaccination programme at Avonvale Veterinary Centre.
What is infectious canine hepatitis?
Infectious canine hepatitis is a virus that attacks the liver, blood vessels, immune system, kidneys, eyes, lungs, and heart.
Can humans get infectious canine hepatitis?
There is no risk of transmission of hepatitis between dogs and people. The form that dogs can get is different from the human version (hepatitis B or C).
What are the symptoms of infectious canine hepatitis?
A mild case may only cause slight symptoms for a few days, but a severe case can cause a whole range of symptoms which also depend on which body systems are affected. These include:
- inappetence
- lethargy
- coughing
- vomiting
- diarrhoea
- fever
- bruising
- swollen stomach
- disorientation
- pale or yellow (jaundice) gums
- seizures.
How is infectious hepatitis in dogs diagnosed?
Blood tests, ultrasound scans as well as biopsies of the liver or collecting small samples of fluid may be performed to diagnose canine infectious hepatitis.
For more information about hepatitis vaccines for your dog please contact us.
