Can Canine Hepatitis Be Cured? A Comprehensive Guide

Diagnostic Key Points

   1. Canine hepatitis is a global disease that affects dogs of all breeds, seasons, and genders, with puppies weaned recently or those under one year of age being most susceptible. Neonates infected with the virus often have a high mortality rate, as the disease can be asymptomatic in the early stages. Transmission primarily occurs through the digestive tract, but can also happen via the placenta. Recovered dogs may shed the virus in their urine for up to six months postinfection.

   2. The virus has an incubation period of 2 to 9 days, with the onset of clinical symptoms marked by a fever reaching 4041°C, lasting for 1 to 6 days. The fever pattern often takes on a characteristic "saddleshaped" curve. Affected dogs may exhibit a lack of energy, loss of appetite, increased thirst, conjunctivitis, serous discharge from the eyes and nose, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, jaundice, and prolonged bleeding time. Swelling, particularly under the skin on the face, is common. Approximately 25% of dogs may develop corneal opacity during recovery, a condition known as "blue eye".

   3. Postmortem examination reveals bloodfilled abdominal cavities, enlarged livers with rounded edges and a mottled appearance, and a particularly noticeable swelling of the gallbladder wall. The entire gastrointestinal tract may show bleeding, the kidneys are congested, and lymph nodes are swollen and hemorrhagic.

   4. Sudden onset and prolonged bleeding times are indicative of canine infectious hepatitis, but a definitive diagnosis relies on specific tests. Common diagnostic methods include fluorescent antibody tests, complement fixation tests, enzymelinked immunosorbent assays, agar gel diffusion tests, and viral isolation and culture.

   5. Early symptoms of canine hepatitis can be similar to those of canine distemper and leptospirosis, so it is crucial to differentiate between these conditions.

Treatment Methods

   1. Early treatment can involve the use of hyperimmune sera or antiviral agents, such as Shuanghuanglian Injection (1 mL per kilogram of body weight, administered intramuscularly once daily).

   2. Blood transfusions, intravenous fluids, glucose administration, liver protection, and the use of broadspectrum antibiotics to control secondary infections can aid in the recovery of affected dogs. Commonly used medications include 5% glucose saline or 10% glucose, Hantai Le (0.10.2 grams per dose, administered intramuscularly once daily), Weipin (80 milligrams per dose, administered intramuscularly once daily), and Methionine (24 milliliters per dose, administered intramuscularly).

   3. Corneal opacity typically does not require treatment and usually resolves within a week.

Preventive Measures

   1. Strengthen management practices, including regular disinfection and deworming.

   2. Schedule regular vaccinations using inactivated vaccines or live vaccines. Adult dogs should be vaccinated once a year, while puppies should receive their first dose at around 89 weeks and the second dose at 1012 weeks of age.