Changes

Young, unvaccinated dogs are most often affected.

Young, unvaccinated dogs are most often affected.

 

 

==Diagnosis==

==Diagnosis==

===Clinical Signs===

===Clinical Signs===

Signs may be peracute or acute in onset. In acute cases, the key clinical findings are vomiting, abdominal pain, anorexia, diarrhoea and pyrexia. Some cases may also show signs of a bleeding disorder. However, there are many different features that clinical examination could possibly reveal. These might include:  

Signs may be peracute or acute in onset. In acute cases, the key clinical findings are vomiting, abdominal pain, anorexia, diarrhoea and pyrexia. Some cases may also show signs of a bleeding disorder. However, there are many different features that clinical examination could possibly reveal. These might include:  

   

   

* Abdominal distension and/or pain

* Abdominal distension and/or pain

   

   

Clinical signs generally persist for five to seven days before the animal's condition improves. During the recovery phase, 20% of cases develop corneal oedema and anterior uveitis ("blue eye"). In peracute cases, death rapidly follows the onset of clinical signs.

Clinical signs generally persist for five to seven days before the animal's condition improves. During the recovery phase, 20% of cases develop corneal oedema and anterior uveitis ("blue eye"). In peracute cases, death rapidly follows the onset of clinical signs.

===Laboratory Tests===

===Laboratory Tests===

   

   

===Biopsy===

===Biopsy===

===Pathology===

===Pathology===

====Gross====

====Gross===

The liver is enlarged and friable on post-mortem examination. Extensive centrilobular necrosis leads to a pale, mottled appearance, but widespread haemorrhage is also apparent. These haemorrhages are particularly obvious on the serosal surface. This hepatisis leads to ascites, and fibrinous or fibrino-haemorrhagic adhesions can sometimes be seen between the lobes of the liver.

The liver is enlarged and friable on post-mortem examination. Extensive centrilobular necrosis leads to a pale, mottled appearance, but widespread haemorrhage is also apparent. These haemorrhages are particularly obvious on the serosal surface. This hepatisis leads to ascites, and fibrinous or fibrino-haemorrhagic adhesions can sometimes be seen between the lobes of the liver.=

Other organs may also show changes. For example, the wall of the gall bladder may be oedematous, and lymph nodes can be enlarged, reddened and haemorrhagic. Chronic interstitial nephritis may be seen.

Other organs may also show changes. For example, the wall of the gall bladder may be oedematous, and lymph nodes can be enlarged, reddened and haemorrhagic. Chronic interstitial nephritis may be seen.

It is possible to use immunofluorescence to stain for viral antigen in vascular endothelium.

It is possible to use immunofluorescence to stain for viral antigen in vascular endothelium.

 

 

 

 

==Treatment==

==Treatment==

Treatment for infectious canine hepatitis is supportive and symptomatic. This may include fluid therapy, and blood or plasma in the event of clotting disorders. Heparin may be necessary if disseminated intravascular coagulation arises, and intravenous glucose can be used to correct hypoglycaemia. Hepatic encephalopathy can be treated with lactulose and antibiotics such as neomycin or ampicillin, and S-adenosyl methionine can be provided as a glutathione precursor or replacement to help minimise damage and aid liver regeneration. Anti-emetic drugs can also be used.

Treatment for infectious canine hepatitis is supportive and symptomatic. This may include fluid therapy, and blood or plasma in the event of clotting disorders. Heparin may be necessary if disseminated intravascular coagulation arises, and intravenous glucose can be used to correct hypoglycaemia. Hepatic encephalopathy can be treated with lactulose and antibiotics such as neomycin or ampicillin, and S-adenosyl methionine can be provided as a glutathione precursor or replacement to help minimise damage and aid liver regeneration. Anti-emetic drugs can also be used.

===Prevention===

===Prevention===

A vaccine is available for infectious canine hepatitis and is a "core" canine vaccine. The vaccine is a live attenuated strain of CAV2, which confers cross-protection against CAV1. The primary course consists of two vaccinations given three to four weeks apart, and boosters are required at least every two to three years.

A vaccine is available for infectious canine hepatitis and is a "core" canine vaccine. The vaccine is a live attenuated strain of CAV2, which confers cross-protection against CAV1. The primary course consists of two vaccinations given three to four weeks apart, and boosters are required at least every two to three years.

In an outbreak, isolation, barrier nursing and strict hygiene are necessary to prevent spread of disease.

In an outbreak, isolation, barrier nursing and strict hygiene are necessary to prevent spread of disease.

 

==Prognosis==

==Prognosis==