Ensuring Health

Infections canine hepatitis

Hepatitis in dogs is a highly contagious disease of the liver that is also caused by a virus. Like distemper, it affects young dogs most often, though it can strike unvaccinated dogs of all ages. It is not the same virus that causes infectious hepatitis or epidemic jaundice in humans. The virus is not airborn, but is spread by contact with saliva or with the urine and fecal material of infected animals in fact, the urine of an infected animal is dangerous for some time following recovery. 
Symptoms appear within six to nine days after exposure and include listlessness with high fever and thirst, sensitivity to light, vomiting, diarrhea (often bloody), and abdominal tenderness. The throat particularly the tonsils, becomes red, and the glands swell. 
Hepatitis works fast, so fast in fact that a puppy may die before seriousness of his illness is realized it may follow distemper or may be present along with it. Consult your veterinarian immediately. Treatment consists of hospitalization and supportive measures. The prognosis is poor in young dogs.