Canine Hepatitis – Easy Read Facts

What is Canine Hepatitis?

Canine Hepatitis is a virus, contracted by dogs, that can be transmitted via urine, saliva, feces, blood and discharge from the nose. Being highly contagious this virus spreads very quickly between dogs especially when they live with other dogs or come into close contact with them.

Unlike the Distemper virus, that doesn’t survive for long outside the body, Canine Hepatitis can survive outside the body and therefore animals sharing the same water and food bowls can pass the virus to each other. However, due to extensive use of vaccinations Canine Hepatitis has become rare.

What does Canine Hepatitis do?

A dog becomes infected when the virus enters through the nose or mouth and then multiplies in the tonsils. From the tonsils the virus makes its way to the liver where it causes liver infection which then destroys the cells.

Canine Hepatitis is a fast acting disease and can often be fatal within hours of the appearance of symptoms.

What are the symptoms?

As mentioned above the virus enters the dog’s body through the nose and mouth therefore the initial symptoms will be lungs and throat related. Probably starting with a dry cough and soreness of the throat which will make eating difficult therefore leading to a loss of appetite.

Symptoms will appear in other areas as the virus enters the bloodstream and starts to travel about the body. Eyes can be affected and the central, clear, part of the eye, the Cornea, will become a cloudy, blue, color. Corneal Ulcers have similar symptoms so diagnosis can be confusing.

When the virus reaches the lungs pneumonia may set in. If the virus reaches the liver and kidneys these organs begin to fail and the body is no longer able to remove poisons from the bloodstream. At this point the animal becomes confused, may suffer from seizures, vomiting and an increase in thirst which is due to the failed kidneys. Death is imminent and the victim is likely to fall into a coma before the end.

What is the cure?

Blood tests can confirm the existence of the virus and the infection can be treated with antibiotics but the treatment is very limited in its effectiveness. Fluids lost via vomiting can be replaced with intravenous drips to make the dog more comfortable.

However, although Canine Hepatitis is very difficult to combat, inoculations have proven very effective in preventing this killer and therefore the best way to beat this illness is to have your pet vaccinated when it is a puppy.

Next Post

Bodybuilding Recipes - Easy to Make High Protein Dessert

When creating a dessert for your bodybuilding meal plan, always understand the need to minimize sugars and fast acting carbohydrates. A perfect dessert which is easy to make is a high protein chocolate pudding. It minimizes sugar intake, limits fast acting carbohydrates and is nearly fat free. Ingredients – Chocolate […]
Bodybuilding Recipes – Easy to Make High Protein Dessert

You May Like