Hepatitis in Dogs - Symptoms and Treatment
Adopting a dog is synonymous with taking on a great responsibility with
our pet, since we must be aware of the importance of offering it
everything it needs. When we talk specifically about the physical health
of our dog, we must know that there are few diseases that are exclusive to
humans, and just like us, our pet can also suffer from hepatitis.
Hepatitis is a term that comes from the Greek words "hepar" (liver) and
"itis" (inflammation) and therefore indicates a pathological situation in
which the liver is inflamed, however, liver inflammation can be caused by
different causes, which will help us differentiate between different types
of hepatitis.
In this vet.alnwaeer.com article we provide you with complete information
about this pathology and show you the symptoms and treatment of hepatitis
in dogs.
Index
How does canine hepatitis occur?
Types of canine hepatitis
Symptoms of canine hepatitis
Treatment of canine hepatitis
Prevention of hepatitis in dogs
How does canine hepatitis occur?
The anatomy of dogs is not so different from that of humans and those
vital organs for us are also of vital importance for our pet, as is the
case with the liver. The liver is essential for the organic balance of our
pet as it intervenes in the metabolism, ensures the proper elimination of
different toxins, stores energy, synthesizes proteins, produces bile and
participates in the assimilation of nutrients.
Canine hepatitis is caused by an inflammation of the liver , which can be
caused by a poor diet or by repeated exposure to different toxins, which
progressively affects the liver and can cause chronic damage.
When liver damage has affected the functions of this important organ, we
can observe serious signs that indicate a malfunction, not of the liver,
but of the entire body.
Types of canine hepatitis
Hepatitis in dogs can have different causes and depending on its origin,
we will be facing one type of hepatitis or another:
- Common hepatitis : It is the one that causes liver inflammation due to the body's exposure to toxins and medications that are capable of causing liver damage. Symptoms occur when the damage caused is serious.
- Autoimmune hepatitis : It is caused by a reaction of the dog's own immune system that attacks hepatocytes (liver cells) because it mistakes them for pathogens. This type of hepatitis is also known as autoimmune liver disease.
- Infectious hepatitis : Inflammation of the liver is caused by canine adenovirus type I, it is an acute viral disease that is spread through urine, contaminated water or contaminated objects. It mainly affects dogs under 1 year of age and the course of the disease usually ranges between 5-7 days, before an improvement occurs.
Infectious hepatitis usually has a good prognosis as long as the dog
does not present an acute form. In this case, it can die in a few hours.
In the case of common or autoimmune hepatitis, the prognosis will depend
on each case, although the lesions will become chronic.
Symptoms of canine hepatitis
Let us remember that in any case we are facing an inflammation of
the liver, so regardless of the cause, the symptoms of hepatitis in
dogs are the following:
- But excessive
- Jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and mucous membranes)
- blood in the mucous membranes
- Abdominal pain that can lead to immobility
- Fever
- Seizures due to liver failure
- loss of appetite
- Increased nasal and ocular discharge
- vomiting
- subcutaneous edema
A dog with hepatitis does not have to show all the symptoms
exposed, so at any sign that indicates a possible hepatitis we must
urgently go to the veterinarian.
Treatment of canine hepatitis
The treatment of hepatitis in dogs will depend on the factor that
has caused the pathology.
In common hepatitis, treatment will be symptomatic but must also
meet the objective of modulating those factors that have caused
liver damage.
In autoimmune hepatitis, the treatment will also be symptomatic,
although the veterinarian will assess the possible prescription of
an immunomodulatory drug that acts specifically on the defense
system, preventing liver damage.
In the case of infectious or viral hepatitis, treatment is also
symptomatic since there is no cure, antibiotics can be used to
control secondary infections, isotonic solutions to prevent
dehydration, liver protectors and a low-protein diet.
It is the veterinarian who should indicate a low-protein diet,
although this is beneficial in the three cases of hepatitis, since
in the presence of abundant protein the liver is overloaded.
Remember that only the veterinarian is the qualified professional
to prescribe any type of treatment for your pet.
Prevention of hepatitis in dogs
To prevent common and autoimmune hepatitis, it is important for our
dog to be able to enjoy good health and the highest quality of life.
For this, we must provide him with a balanced food that covers all
his nutritional requirements, sufficient affection and sufficient
exercise in the open air. free, all this will help your body to
maintain balance more easily.
In the case of infectious hepatitis, vaccination is the most
effective prevention tool, we have several options:
- Polyvalent serum: Prevents in the short term and is recommended when the start of the vaccination program has not yet been possible.
- Inactivated virus vaccine: Two doses are required and the protection period ranges between 6 and 9 months
- Attenuated virus vaccine: Only one dose is required and protection is as effective as it is long-lasting
Consult your veterinarian as he will be the one to indicate what
type of prevention is the most appropriate for your pet.
This article is merely informative, We invite you to take your
pet to the veterinarian in the event that it presents any type of
condition or discomfort.
LEGAL DISCLAIMER
- This article is merely informative, We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian in the event that it presents any type of condition or discomfort.
- The information on this vet.alnwaeer.com is not intended to be a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis or treatment or for veterinary advice relative to a specific condition. Always seek the advice of a qualified, licensed veterinarian provider.
- If you feel that your pet may be experiencing any of the above symptoms or you are concerned that they are sick, contact your vet immediately.
- Do not disregard veterinary advice or delay treatment as a result of accessing the information on this site.