Hepatitis in dogs - symptoms and various forms of liver disease. Hepatitis in dogs: signs, symptoms and treatment

Canine infectious hepatitis (Hepatitis infectiosa) (synonyms: infectious inflammation liver, Rubart's disease) - acute contagious viral disease manifested by fever, follicularconjunctivitis , catarrhal inflammation mucous membranes respiratory tract And gastrointestinal tract, as well as severe lesions of the liver and central nervous system.

Pathogen infectious hepatitis in dogs

A DNA-containing virus from the adenovirus family of the Mastadenovirus genus. Different strains have different virulence, but are very homogeneous in antigenic structure and immunogenic properties. adenovirus infection manifests itself in dogs in two forms: infectious hepatitis caused by adenovirus type 1 (CAV-1); adenovirus caused by adenovirus type 2 (CAV-2).

The virus is resistant to various physical and chemical influences, remains active at 4°C for more than 9 months, at room temperature (18-20°C) - 2-3 months. When heated above 60°C, it is inactivated after 30-40 minutes, and at 100°C - after 1 minute. The causative agent persists for a long time low temperatures in secretions, organs and tissues of sick animals.

Resistance to disinfectants. The virus belongs to the 2nd group of resistance of pathogens of infectious diseases.

epidemiological data

Infectious hepatitis of dogs has been registered in many countries of the world, including widespread in Belarus, Russia and other CIS countries. The disease affects dogs of various breeds and ages, but puppies aged 2-6 months are most often affected. Wild carnivores are also susceptible to the disease: wolves, foxes, arctic foxes, ferrets, etc.

The source of the infectious agent is sick dogs and virus carriers that excrete the virus with nasal and eye mucus, urine, and feces. This disease is characterized by a long virus carrier, often for many years. stray dogs and wild carnivores are the main reservoir of infection.

sporadic casesdisease animals manifest at any time of the year, but in the form of an epizootic, infectious hepatitis is usually observed in spring and summer when puppies appear. Many domestic and foreign authors (V.A. Chizhov et al., 1990; N.A. Masimov, A.I. Belykh, 1996, etc.) note that female virus carriers can infect their puppies and sires. This must be taken into account when drawing up plans for breeding work in clubs and nurseries, as well as when immunizing animals.

Infectious canine hepatitis

For this disease, the most typical 2 ways of infection are contact (direct or indirect) and alimentary (feed, water).

The incubation period is usually 2-5 days, sometimes up to 8-10 days.

Pathogenesis

With the alimentary method of infecting dogs, the virus initially invades the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract and lymph nodes, where it multiplies.
After 3-5 days, the virus spreads through the blood and lymph throughout the body, affecting various bodies and tissues, especially the liver, gallbladder, spleen, kidneys. Dystrophic changes, developing in these organs, cause serious violations of the body's vital functions - metabolic disorders, intoxication, cardiopulmonary failure and etc.

Symptoms of Infectious Hepatitis in Dogs

Infectious hepatitis in dogs can occur in various forms: superacute (fulminant), acute, subacute and chronic, but most often the disease manifests itself in acute form. Hyperacute and acute forms of the disease appear mainly in young animals with a weakened immune system (primary and secondary immunodeficiencies), especially in unvaccinated puppies under 6 months of age. In the fulminant form, the disease develops suddenly, rapidly, without characteristic clinical signs, and the animals die within one day (in such cases, acutepoisoning ).

In the acute form of the disease in animals, a depressed state, refusal to feed, hyperthermia up to 40-41 ° C are observed, while the temperature curve can have two vertices. The most characteristic clinical signs of infectious hepatitis are: increased thirst, frequent vomiting mixed with bileacute gastroenteritis , diarrhea (diarrhea), whitish stools, yellowness of the mucous membranes, as well as unilateral or bilateralkeratitis (clouding of the cornea of ​​the eye) and acute viral tonsillitis(inflammation of the palatine tonsils). The latter are enlarged, painful and edematous on palpation. Keratitis occurs in about 30% of affected dogs and is often without obvious signs.purulent conjunctivitis (Unlikecarnivore plague ); whitish, bluish opacities of the cornea of ​​the eyes - the so-called "blue eye" with a successful course of the disease gradually disappear. Important clinical sign infectious hepatitis is severe liver tenderness on palpation in the area of ​​the xiphoid process (directly behind the diaphragm). In view of the soreness of the liver, dogs often sit with their front paws wide apart.

In addition, sick animals have serious disorders cardiovascular and respiratory system organism. Pulse, as a rule, quickened, over 100 beats per minute, often arrhythmic; breathing is heavy, rapid, over 40 per minute - for large breeds dogs, medium and small breeds these figures are correspondingly higher. In a severe course of the disease, convulsive movements, paralysis of the limbs and other symptoms of damage to the central nervous system can be observed.

The duration of the disease in the acute form depends on many factors: immune system, age, the presence of mixed infections, the timeliness and effectiveness of treatment, etc. Usually, with a successful course of the disease, approximately 40-50% of dogs recover in 5-10 days. In other cases (immunodeficiency states, mixed infections), the duration of the disease can be 2-3 weeks.

In the subacute and chronic course of the disease, the above symptoms are generally less pronounced, have longer duration and are characterized by non-specific, indefinite disorders of various systems of the animal body. For example, in sick dogs, a short-term increase in body temperature, a decrease in appetite, and rapid fatigue are observed when physical activity, temporary functional disorders of cardio-vascular system, gastrointestinal tract (diarrhea, followed by constipation, etc.), etc. Chronically ill pregnant females (females) most often abort or give birth to dead and (or) non-viable puppies.

Hematological parameters in acute and subacute forms of infectious hepatitis in dogs have characteristic changes. IN initial stage diseases, as a rule, observe a pronounced leukopenia (2-3 thousand leukocytes), a relative increase in the percentage of neutrophils, the disappearance of eosinophils and a shift leukocyte formula to the left to young forms, a decrease in the percentage of lymphocytes to 7-15, monocytosis. IN acute period disease, ESR rises sharply to 30 mm, sometimes up to 69-70 mm. In the future, approximately on the 7-9th day, the number of leukocytes increases significantly and can reach 30-35 thousand, the number of eosinophils normalizes - all this indicates the recovery of the animal (V.A. Chizhov, 1978, N.A. Massimov, A. I. Belykh, 1996, etc.).

Diagnosis

To establish (confirm) accurate diagnosis if an acute infectious disease is suspected, it is urgent to examine the blood of a sick animal for indication (detection) and identification (determination of species and genus) of the causative agent of the disease.

The final diagnosis is made on the basis of an analysis of epizootological, clinical, pathoanatomical data and results. laboratory research(isolation of the causative agent of infectious hepatitis in dogs and identification of characteristic bodies - Rubart's inclusions). For laboratory diagnostics use various reactions: RDP, RGA, RIF, RN, etc.

In the differential diagnosis, infectious hepatitis must be differentiated from plague,leptospirosis , parvo- andcoronavirus enteritis , salmonellosis and poisoning.

Forecast

With superacute and acute course disease mortality among revaccinated puppies can reach 80-100%. In adult dogs, depending on the severity of the disease, it is 10-50%.

Treatment of infectious hepatitis in dogs

For etiotropic therapy of animals with a preliminary and (or) clinical diagnosis of infectious hepatitis in the initial stage of the disease, it is advisable to use the appropriate associated (polyvalent) domestic and foreign sera. For example, domestic polyvalent serum against plague, parvovirus infections and viral hepatitis carnivores, according to the approved instruction, it is recommended to use intramuscularly or subcutaneously with inner surface hips with preventive purpose animals weighing up to 5 kg at a dose of 3 ml of serum, weighing more than 5 kg - 5 ml. WITH therapeutic purpose doses of administered serum are increased by 2 times, i.e. respectively 6 or 10 ml.

At severe forms disease or with delayed treatment, the serum is used repeatedly at intervals of 12-24 hours. However, in order to avoid post-serum allergic complications, it must be clarified that the indicated polyvalent serum, like many others, is heterologous (it is made from the blood of other animal species, in particular healthy oxen, hyperimmunized corresponding strains of viruses). Therefore, we recommend, firstly, before administering a full dose of serum, to conduct an allergic diagnostic bioassay (an animal is first injected with 1 ml of serum, observed for 30-60 minutes, then the rest of the dose is administered), and secondly, more carefully determine dose of serum depending on the weight of the animal (calculate the dose per 1 kg of body weight).

At laboratory confirmation preliminary (clinical) diagnosis of infectious hepatitis is most important drugs etiotropic therapy are homologous monovalent immunoglobulins and monovalent serum against infectious hepatitis of dogs, which are used in accordance with the instructions for their use.

In system complex treatment sick animals are also used pathogenetic, substitution and symptomatic therapy. In particular, to stimulate phagocytosis, cellular and humoral immunity, just as withplague carnivores, it is recommended to use new immunomodulators: polyoxidonium, vitan, lycopid, galavit, ribotan and others. Essentiale (in capsules and ampoules), sirepar (in ampoules), etc. have proven themselves to support liver function. These drugs are used in accordance with the instructions for their use.

Feeding a dog with infectious hepatitis

In case of acute damage to the gastrointestinal tract (vomiting, diarrhea) - complete deprivation of food in the first 24-48 hours, but offer clean water, water with glucose, or electrolyte solutions with glucose. Then a replacement diet is prescribed..

Immunity

Animals that have been ill develop long-term immunity.

Pathological changes in infectious hepatitis of dogs are very diverse. The most characteristic changes are observed in the liver, which is significantly increased in size; the gallbladder is also enlarged, the walls are edematous. The spleen, kidneys and lymph nodes are enlarged and plethoric in most cases. At histological studies in liver cells and other organs, oval and round intranuclear bodies characteristic of this disease are found - Rubart's inclusions.

Prevention

Day active specific prevention associated vaccines are used:Biovac-DPAL , Pentawak,Hexakanivac , Trivirokan and others. From foreign associated vaccines, Bivirovax, Trivirovax, Hexadog (France), Vanguard-5, 7 (USA), etc. are used.

For passive immunization of puppies in early age(4-6 weeks) in case of an unfavorable epizootic situation or a group method of keeping, specific immunoglobulins or hyperimmune sera against infectious hepatitis are used.

Our four-legged friends, in spite of more strong immunity and excellent health, they can still get sick. Moreover, their diseases are often the same as in humans. For example, inflammation of the liver is often diagnosed - hepatitis, in dogs it is also associated with damage to the tissues of this important organ. Inflammation causes redness, cellular infiltration, dystrophy and other changes in the structure of the liver, provoking its failure. What threatens hepatitis that has developed in a dog, and what do veterinarians offer for its treatment?

The classification divides the disease into two types:

In this situation important aspect is a form of hepatitis. Dogs become infected with an infectious type of pathology during close communication, especially if they live together or contact during walking. A dog can catch the infection by eating or drinking from a bowl of a sick dog, taking its toys, sniffing infected feces or marks.

Adenovirus is a tenacious virus, and even after 3 months, being in external environment, it remains active. Therefore, if the owner knows that a dog suffering from this disease walked on the site, it is worth changing the place of walking.

Toxic hepatitis is considered a non-contagious form of the disease, and even when in contact with a sick animal, a pet will not be able to get infected. After all, the disease develops against the background of poisoning with toxins.

Animals infected with worms fall into the risk group: during the life of worms and larvae, toxic toxins are released into the animal's body in large quantities.

What happens in the body with hepatitis

In fact, under the name of hepatitis, all inflammatory processes localized in the tissues of the liver are hidden. This pathology often accompanied by other diseases affecting the organs of the gastrointestinal tract. Hepatitis adversely affects the condition of the gallbladder and bile ducts.

With this disease, there are profound disorders metabolic processes: protein, carbohydrate-fat, pigment, there is a breakdown of the cells of the affected organ. In dogs, inflammation of the liver is extremely rarely an independent disease and often acts as a secondary ailment that occurs against the background of existing infections.

Hepatitis develops due to tissue degeneration, in which the destruction of hepatocytes, inflammation, death or proliferation of connective tissues occurs. In pathology, normal tissue is replaced by damaged tissue.

The inflammatory process in the liver provokes congestion - cholestasis, the organ itself becomes larger, the spleen also undergoes an increase, the so-called hepatolienal syndrome develops. Naturally, the affected liver is not able to function normally, detoxification, protein-forming, and other functions are disturbed.

Clinical manifestations

With the development of this pathology, the following symptoms appear:

1. Enlargement of the organ in size. IN healthy condition the liver does not protrude beyond the last rib (it is necessary to look on the right), in case of pathology, its noticeable bulging from under the costal arch is observed. If the organ is slightly enlarged, then it is not always possible to detect pathology on palpation. Changes can be detected by ultrasound. When the liver becomes huge, during palpation the animal experiences severe pain and it shows it in every possible way: it can whine, arch its back, begins to move away from the person.
2. Organ activity is disrupted. Pathology negatively affects all functions of the body.
3. Yellowing of mucous membranes and skin. Yellowness can be called the most obvious sign of hepatitis. At chronic form or the primary manifestation of the disease of the sclera of the eyes, the skin and mucous membranes acquire a barely noticeable yellowish tint.
4. Gagging and diarrhea. Feces become light, with a bile impurity. With the progression of the pathological process, streaks of blood are visible in the stool, giving the stool a brown color.
5. Besides, bile pigments that increase in the blood affect urine quality, painting it in a dark, brownish tint. But the feces are almost discolored.
6. Against the background of hepatitis, it is possible increase in temperature indicators body, the heartbeat becomes irregular.
7. At the initial stage of development of pathology in an animal appetite disappears, the pet is lethargic, lethargic. But the owner may not relate similar condition With inflammatory process in the liver. This will require blood biochemistry.

This viral disease is accompanied by a significant increase in temperature, up to critical levels, profuse vomiting, liquid stool. Inflammation affects the surface of the tonsils, and the dog has difficulty eating. It also prevents the pet from fully turning its head.

Hepatitis often causes keratitis, an eye disease in which the corneal layer of the organ of vision becomes cloudy. More often, the pathology affects both eyes.

How is Hepatitis in Dogs Diagnosed and Treated?

To accurately determine the disease and its form, blood, urine is taken for analysis, and biochemical research biological fluids.

In addition, the specialist must apply differential diagnosis, which allows to distinguish hepatitis from other diseases that have similar symptoms. It is possible to confuse inflammation of the liver with cirrhosis, hepatosis, lung infections, carnivore distemper. After that, it is possible to take damaged liver tissues for histological examination.

The effectiveness of therapy largely depends on how the disease has progressed. Experts warn - illiterate treatment at home can not only aggravate pathological processes, but also cause the death of a sick pet.

A common therapeutic regimen used by veterinarians is as follows:

• dieting - remove from the diet fatty foods, it is recommended to give the dog medicinal herbal decoctions, weak broths from meat and fish;
• drip into the body is injected with liquids that have an antitoxic effect - solutions of glucose, Ringer;
• to restore protein reserves, plasma-substituting agents are prescribed;
• to get rid of pain, drugs with analgesic action are recommended;
• hepatoprotective drugs - protect the cells of the inflamed organ from further destruction;
• diuretic drugs;
• infectious hepatitis requires antibiotic therapy or antiviral drugs.

Applies complex therapy prescribed exclusively by a veterinarian.

Prevention of hepatitis in dogs

For preventive purposes, a special vaccine has been developed that allows the animal's body to develop its own immunity. Since the dog can become infected during contact with a sick animal, the owner should monitor his social circle, do not allow him to drink and eat on the street.

If the pet has a predisposition to liver diseases, then it is recommended to contact the veterinarian every six months and take blood biochemistry.

Possible Complications

The liver is one of the vital organs that perform many functions, so its inflammation without timely treatment can cause a number of complications:

• glaucoma;
• the risk of spreading inflammation to the kidneys;
• acute organ failure;
• chronic form of the disease;
• blood clotting disorders, etc.

Hepatitis can either go unnoticed or cause serious disorders. Therefore, the owner of the dog should be attentive to the health of his pet and not ignore the symptoms that arise.

As a rule, a person remembers the liver only after especially “stormy” holidays ... And this is good, since a lot depends on the work of this organ. And this is quite true not only for us, but also for animals. So, liver damage, that is, hepatitis in dogs, often leads to the most sad consequences if the owners of the dog do not react in any way to a strong deterioration in the well-being of their pet.

If you simply decipher the term, you get just "inflammation of the liver." It is accompanied by a massive blood flow to the affected organ, degenerative and necrotic phenomena. In this case, the efficiency of the liver is greatly impaired, which contributes to the growth of signs of general intoxication of the body and the appearance of other negative symptoms.

Classification

It can be acute or chronic, infectious or non-infectious. For some reason, it is generally accepted that only infectious hepatitis in dogs is widespread, although this is far from being the case. Specialists in VNB (internal non-communicable diseases) say that in one form or another hepatitis occurs in almost every third dog. This is due to the fact that not all owners try to choose at least a slightly suitable diet for their pets. As a result of feeding (about ten years) with one dry food and water, even the strongest and most unpretentious liver can go to rest!

Feeding old, moldy feed is extremely dangerous. Many owners believe that dogs "can eat everything" by giving their pets old and spoiled food. If an animal eats such food for a long time, then it may well "grab off" not only hepatitis, but even oncological disease liver. By the way, the same applies to people who eat moldy bread, which is “a pity to throw it away”. It should be noted that last years were marked by the appearance of a huge number of drug-induced hepatitis. Why did it happen?

It's all about the availability and uncontrolled use of antibiotics."Compassionate" owners not only "treat" themselves, but also stuff their pets with them with or without reason. Modern, powerful antibacterial agents really often help, only their constant use can lead to very unpleasant and extremely dangerous consequences, hepatitis among which is perhaps the most "easy" outcome. In addition, steroid hepatitis is also distinguished. As you can see, steroids are the cause.

Read also: Gangrene in a dog - causes, types and symptoms

In general, their appearance in the body of a dog is due to all the same factors ... Unreasonable treatment with hormonal drugs, their unauthorized prescription and use by animal owners - all this affects the development of the disease. Here it should be especially emphasized that hormones are a rather little-studied area, and therefore drugs should be prescribed only when they are really needed, and throughout their use the animal should be under strict control. veterinarian! The same applies to sera and vaccines. These funds should be used only by specialists, in the required doses!

Quite often, hepatitis does indeed have an infectious origin. Perhaps this is the most dangerous and difficult-to-treat group, since not in all cases, liver damage manifests itself immediately. Leptospirosis and other infections can lead to this outcome. Viral hepatitis is also common in dogs. Called 1 (CAV-1). This virus is specific (!) for canids. Simply put, it is not transmitted to humans under any circumstances. So a sick dog can be safely kept in the same apartment with small children and the elderly: he will not pose any danger to them.

Read also: Dropsy in dogs: causes, diagnosis and treatment

How can you tell if your dog has a pathology?

As in all other cases, when the animal is worried about something and something hurts, the dog becomes sharply depressed. If your dog has liver hepatitis infectious origin she has a fever. Most often, the appetite is completely absent, the thirst persists. The dog is lethargic, tries to lie more, avoiding lying on the right side (the liver is greatly enlarged). When trying to feel right hypochondrium screaming and whimpering in pain. However, at the same time, without much difficulty, it is possible to grope for a swollen, greatly enlarged organ. What other symptoms are there?

Yellowness of all visible mucous membranes quickly begins to appear, toxic phenomena increase. In this case, the animal's body temperature drops below normal, the mucous membranes are unpleasantly cold. The dog may begin to itch a lot, often tearing out whole shreds of hair along with the skin. The skin itself is dry, there are numerous foci of irritation and inflammation. The general fatness of the animal drops sharply, all signs of exhaustion and weakening of the body appear. Urine becomes saturated, yellow And bad smell. Diarrhea often occurs stool liquid, and again painted in a dark yellow color.

Due to the appearance of bile in the general bloodstream, nervous phenomena are often recorded: the dog has seizures (like epileptic seizures), paraplegia, tetraplegia (paralysis of two or all limbs).

Adenovirus hepatitis is especially "bright". The fact is that this pathology can proceed at lightning speed. The dog suddenly, “out of the blue” starts a fever, the temperature goes off scale, some animals immediately go into coma. If there is no good veterinary clinic, or they simply don’t have time to take the dog there, death occurs within a couple of hours maximum. The acute form leaves more chances for salvation.

Hepatitis in dogs is a viral disease that is not dangerous to humans. The causative agent of hepatitis is adenovirus. A dog becomes infected in two ways: either by direct contact with a sick animal, or through common objects - bowls, toys. Viral hepatitis is called Rubort's disease, after the name of the doctor who described the disease in 1937.

In addition to the viral form of this disease, a toxic form of hepatitis is also isolated. Toxic liver disease (toxic hepatitis) can be caused in dogs long-term use drugs, poor diet. Some prepared feed poor quality contain toxins harmful to the body.

It is extremely dangerous to feed your pet food from unknown manufacturers. Owners often believe that a dog's stomach is non-waste production, and therefore give the dog any food. It can be food from the table and spoiled food from the refrigerator.

Also, many owners sin with uncontrolled reception. medicines, including antibiotics. With or without reason, they themselves prescribe treatment to animals, from which the pet's liver suffers. Among possible consequences medication toxic hepatitis is not the most terrible disease. Owners prescribe antibiotics to their pets along with antibiotics hormonal preparations leading to steroid hepatitis.

Toxic hepatitis occurs in dogs if it has been ingested for a long time toxic substances. These include acaricidal preparations aimed at combating ticks. They are highly toxic.

Another factor that negatively affects the dog's liver is the presence of worms in the pet's body. This causes intoxication of the liver with its further dystrophy.

Symptoms of Hepatitis in Dogs

Symptoms of the virus and toxic hepatitis similar. Most important symptom that appears in a sick animal - liver enlargement. An experienced veterinarian is able to determine the disease even with palpation.

Typical symptoms for any type of hepatitis:

• Jaundice of the sclera and mucous membranes of the eye.
• Vomiting of bile.
• Diarrhea of ​​a characteristic light color with an admixture of blood.
• Urine dark brown.
• The animal is lethargic and refuses to eat.

For infectious form hepatitis symptoms are more pronounced:

1. The temperature rises to 40 degrees.
2. Tonsillitis and pharyngitis develop.
3. There is purulent discharge from the nose.
4. There is rapid breathing and shortness of breath.
5. The dog is in pain.
6. With severe internal pain, the animal takes a reclining position, stretching its neck forward.
7. Important clinical symptom is the appearance of keratitis in front of a dog, another name is "Blue Eye". This is due to inflammation of the cornea of ​​the eye. It becomes rough with a blue tint.
8. Possible development nervous symptoms such as impaired coordination, convulsions, paralysis.

Diagnostics

As already mentioned, the first symptom that appears in an infected animal is an enlarged liver. It is not enough for a veterinarian to make an accurate diagnosis palpate the animal. It is necessary to conduct a number of tests and studies, among them:

• An ultrasound of the liver will show how enlarged the liver is.
• A biochemical blood test, according to the indicators of bilirubin, is judged on the presence of hepatic pathology.
• IN rare cases- biopsy of the diseased organ.

Based on the results obtained, the veterinarian makes a diagnosis.

Treatment

Hepatitis treatment infectious nature directed to destruction of adenovirus in the body of an animal. For this, the following activities are carried out:

1. Special immunotherapy - the introduction of specific multivalent sera against adenovirus. The introduction of sera is most effective on early stages illness.
2. Supportive immunotherapy is the use of immunostimulants that act directly on the cellular link. These drugs are of low toxicity. The therapy is carried out for 2 weeks.
3. Hepaprotective therapy - the introduction of drugs to the animal to protect and maintain the liver;
4. Antiemetic therapy - the use of Cerucal for the relief of vomiting attacks;
5. Vitamin therapy - the use of B vitamins to avoid fatty hepatosis liver. Also appointed folic acid to improve metabolism in the liver.
6. Antibacterial therapy - the use of antibiotics of a directed spectrum of action, for example, amoxicillin, clavulanate, cefadroxil.

If hepatitis is toxic in nature, then cleansing procedures are indicated - gastric lavage in order to rid the body of toxins.

Diet

With infectious hepatitis, the dog must follow a diet. It is necessary to limit to the maximum the intake of protein foods (meat, canned meat). The main diet of the dog during the period of illness should be carbohydrate foods (vegetables and cereals).

Course of the disease

Scenarios for the development of the disease can be different:

1. In the acute form of infectious hepatitis, a quick response from the hosts is necessary. If treatment is started quickly and is carried out in the right direction, then the prognosis is favorable. The dog recovers in 5-6 days
2. In the acute form of hepatitis, if the animal is weakened, the disease develops rapidly and can die in a matter of hours.
3. At toxic form hepatitis it is necessary to carry out detoxification therapy in time. The prognosis is favorable.
4. In the chronic form of hepatitis in dogs, a lethal outcome is unlikely. It is necessary to constantly carry out hepaprotective therapy to maintain the liver.

Prevention

IN recent decades to prevent infectious hepatitis, all puppies aged 1-3 months are vaccinated against hepatitis. After the routine vaccinations the dog must be quarantined - isolated from other animals for up to two weeks.

Hepatitis in dogs is a very serious and dangerous disease. The sooner a pet is diagnosed, the greater the chance that treatment will pass successfully. Today we will talk about the types, causes, symptoms and treatments for hepatitis in dogs.

It is acute and chronic. At the first sight, all the symptoms of hepatitis in a dog are bright, noticeable. In the second case, the “clinic” is blurred and practically invisible. Periodically, the chronic course of the disease worsens, and it is at this time that the signs of hepatitis in a dog become most noticeable.

Primary and secondary hepatitis still happens. Primary is also called toxic. But the secondary develops due to a bacterial, viral or fungal infection in the mustache.

Infection

Infection. The most common type of hepatitis in dogs is viral. More precisely, adenovirus leads to pathological changes in the liver. But if the owners take care of their pet on time (vaccinate according to age), then the risk of the dog getting viral hepatitis (and, consequently, his death) is reduced to almost zero. However, in addition to adenovirus, there are a huge number of pathogens of infectious sores (plague, piroplasmosis, leptospirosis, and others).

Poisoning

It is not necessary for the dog to eat something bad (spoiled food, with mold or with poison) in order to get poisoned. Medicines also destroy and lead to inflammation of the liver. Heavy metals, poisons of insects or snakes, dangerous plants, household chemicals and others can lead to disruption of the work of this body.

Ways of infection with hepatitis

The saliva of an infected dog contains most of the infectious agent. Therefore, most often the transmission of hepatitis by dogs occurs in the case of contact. Another animal can get sick by sniffing urine and excrement, and in them the virus is in a state of activity for up to a year. But for a certain time the virus lives in the external environment. Therefore, the likelihood of infection through dishes, toys, etc. is also quite high.

The scenario of the course of the disease

In infectious hepatitis, the incubation period lasts no more than a week. Clinical manifestations may appear as early as the third day. The disease lasts about three weeks and, if successful, the dog receives lifelong immunity.

The disease scenarios are as follows:

1. If the disease affects weak dog, the pet can die within a few hours. There is little chance of a favorable outcome in this case.
2. Acute hepatitis. Acute infection a day is enough to kill a dog. Especially if we are talking about puppies. But most of pets survive if the right treatment is applied in a timely manner.
3. Chronic hepatitis in dogs. This form of the disease has less severe symptoms and a slower course. Death rarely occurs.

Symptoms

Enlarged liver

In a healthy barbel, this organ does not protrude beyond the last rib (with right side). The inflamed liver extends beyond the costal arches. With a slight increase in the organ, it is not always possible to probe it, however, after the ultrasound, changes in size will be visible. Often the liver is so huge that during palpation and percussion of the area of ​​the right hypochondrium, the animal gives all the signs of pain (whining, bending in an arc, moving away from the doctor).

Liver dysfunction

All liver functions are impaired. The inflamed organ is not able to perform its functions in full. Therefore, knowing about them, one can suspect serious problems with the health of his mustache.

Yellowness

Yellowness of the sclera, visible mucous membranes and skin a dog is a sure sign of hepatitis. At chronic hepatitis(or at the very beginning of the disease) yellowness is mild. In addition, it does not always indicate hepatitis. This can be cirrhosis of the liver in a dog, and blockage of the bile ducts by stones, and other liver diseases.

Vomiting and diarrhea

Vomiting and diarrhea. They are light, with bile. Then blood appears in them, due to which their shade becomes brown.

Other symptoms

Other symptoms of hepatitis in dogs:

• Because of the bile pigments, which are already in excess in the blood, the urine becomes dark, brown. But feces, on the contrary, are almost colorless.
• Body temperature may rise.
• Heartbeat is arrhythmic.
• At the onset of the disease, poor appetite, lethargy. Suggest that the problem is with the liver, maybe biochemical analysis blood.

Signs of viral hepatitis in a dog are as follows: temperature up to 41 degrees, vomiting and diarrhea. The tonsils are very inflamed, so much so that the dog cannot swallow anything properly. Therefore, it is also difficult for the mustache to turn its head. The neck may even swell. If you look at the eyes, then clouding of the cornea (keratitis) is noticeable. Sometimes only in one eye, but more often in both eyes.

Diagnostics

Even experienced veterinarian will not be able to immediately give an unambiguous analysis in the case of hepatitis. Research required complete history disease, compiled from anamnestic data, examination of the animal and the results laboratory tests for blood testing. Among other things, sometimes a biopsy is also performed.

The doctor needs to find out if the animal is sick with any infectious disease which can show a similar clinical picture. Also, X-rays are used to analyze how much the liver is enlarged.

Treating a dog with hepatitis

How to treat hepatitis in a dog? The disease, you understand, is not simple and the treatment should be complex:

• Treatment of a dog with hepatitis begins with a diagnosis. With a viral disease, it is necessary to start specific (hyperimmune sera) and symptomatic treatment as soon as possible.
• Hepatoprotectors are prescribed, which allow you to restore at least a little liver. Antibiotics will also be needed (but only the veterinarian prescribes the name, dosage and duration of the course).

Good and droppers with glucose and ascorbic acid or saline solutions with Riboxin. But this is not the main therapy, but only supportive, in order to reduce the concentration of toxins and bile pigments in the blood, as well as help liver cells regenerate faster.

Possible complications

An adult dog that has had hepatitis can get the following complications:

• infertility, premature birth, fetal death before birth;
• increased predisposition to pyelonephritis;
• some violation of the functions of digestion;
• acute insufficiency of the liver, kidneys;
• hepatic encephalopathy;
• development of glaucoma;
• cirrhosis of the liver.

Diet for a dog with hepatitis

A dog with hepatitis special food. Keep proteins to a minimum fatty foods and completely exclude (this is an additional blow to the liver). More carbohydrates, clean water (add some powdered glucose to it, you can sugar, but a little). If the dog is on dry food, then look for a specialized one (for dogs with a diseased liver or digestive organs with a minimum of protein, without soy).

Prevention of hepatitis in dogs

Prevention of hepatitis in dogs includes vaccinations (starting with puppy age, then annually “renewing” vaccinations), avoiding contact with toxins / bad food. Do not self-medicate. Do not increase the dosage of the drug and the duration of the course of treatment on your own (a blow to the liver, especially when it comes to antibiotics or "illicit drugs"). Many medicines for dogs are completely prohibited. Visit the vet. Donate blood biochemistry (at least once every six months).

For the prevention of hepatitis in dogs, it is required:

1. Careful tracking of pet contacts with other animals and control over the food consumed per day. The same applies to drinking.
2. Timely disinfection of the place where the dog is kept and care items.
3. Proper feeding and maintenance of four-legged pets.

Every dog ​​owner should remember that hepatitis detected in a timely manner can be cured faster and more reliably. Therefore, the first signs of an animal’s malaise are a reason to visit qualified specialist. Do not self-medicate, under any circumstances. After all, greased clinical picture disease will complicate subsequent diagnosis, as well as contribute to the development of complications, which can lead to death of the pet.

Details about viral diseases on video:

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