What are the symptoms of Infectious Canine Hepatitis and how it can be treated?
As is self-evident from the name, infectious canine hepatitis is different from the one that causes infectious hepatitis in human beings. Though dogs of all ages are susceptible to this disease, it is more common early in life.
Causes and Symptoms:
The infection is caused by a virus. It is not airborne, but is spread by contact with excretions like saliva, urine and faecal material of affected animals.
The initial symptoms are a sudden rise in temperature, followed by drowsiness, vomiting, great thirst, loss of appetite, a watery discharge from the eyes and nose which thickens gradually, vomiting and, often, bloody diarrhea. There is some pain when pressure is put over the abdomen, especially in the region of the liver. Fiery redness of the mucous membranes inside the oral cavity is seen and is considered by some veterinarians to be a feature which differentiates this disease from distemper. These symptoms are sometimes accompanied by swelling of the head, neck and abdomen. Nervous symptoms are rare. The majority of sick dogs recover with treatment. Mortality is more frequent amongst young dogs. Sometimes the disease hits so fast that a puppy may die before the seriousness of the disease can be realized.
Treatment and Prevention:
This disease may occur sometimes along with distemper. It can be prevented by vaccination. The vaccine is generally given along with the distemper vaccine.