Infectious canine hepatitis (ICH), caused by canine adenovirus type 1 (CAV-1), is a worldwide disease of dogs. CAV-1 infects a wide range of tissues, including the liver (hence the name hepatitis), kidneys, spleen, and lungs. Infected dogs typically develop a fever, bleeding of gums and soft tissue, and experience loss of white blood cells that are a key component of the immune system. Opacity of the eye ("blue eye") occurs in some cases. Death, chronic hepatitis or severe illness may occur and recovery may be gradual in non-fatal cases. CAV-1 is shed in urine, and can survive outside the host for weeks or months.
What is hepatitis?
Hepatitis is defined as inflammation of the liver. As a specific disease, Infectious
Canine Hepatitis (ICH) is a viral infection caused by a member of the Adenovirus
family.
Does it affect other animals
or people?
Other members of the dog family, foxes for example, can be infected, but ICH
virus is harmless to people.
How is the virus spread?
The hepatitis virus is present in the urine or in the nose and eye discharges
of infected animals. The virus is transmitted by direct contact with these infected
materials. Young dogs are at highest risk, and signs of disease usually occur
within two to five days after exposure to ICH; however, the incubation period
can be as long as 14 days. In older dogs some ICH infections may go unnoticed
or be mild.
What are the clinical signs?
In the mild form the dog may merely have a decreased appetite, appear depressed
and have a fever. Some of these cases develop opacity of one or both corneas
of their eyes (so-called ‘Blue Eye’) one to two weeks later.
Some dogs have respiratory signs such as eye and nose discharge and cough that are indistinguishable from other forms of upper respiratory tract infections or kennel cough (see Kennel Cough).
In severe cases, usually puppies, other than the fever, depression and loss of appetite, there is abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, puffy edema (subcutaneous fluid swelling) of the head and neck, and possible jaundice. Such cases are often fatal.
What is the treatment?
As with most viral infections there is no specific treatment. Antibiotics are
ineffective against viruses. Treatment is aimed at reducing symptoms, and giving
time for the dog’s immune system to respond. This includes rest, intravenous
fluids and medication to reduce the severe symptoms.
What about vaccination?
Vaccination is very successful, and is routinely administered in puppy vaccination
programs. Your veterinarian will discuss appropriate vaccination schedules for
your dog including the need for booster revaccination. The protection conferred
lasts for many months, but it does decrease with time.