Canine Hepatitis: Understanding Transmission and Preven

Canine hepatitis is an acute, hemorrhagic disease caused by Canine Adenovirus Type I. The incubation period for this disease ranges from 6 to 9 days. Viruses that enter the body through the digestive system initially replicate in the tonsils, then quickly enter the bloodstream, leading to symptoms like fever and a viral血症. Subsequently, they localize in liver cells and the endothelial cells of small blood vessels in the kidneys, brain, and eyes, causing acute hepatitis, interstitial nephritis, nonsuppurative encephalitis, and uveitis.

Clinically, the disease is categorized into four types: acute, subacute, chronic, and fulminant. The fulminant type is characterized by rapid death within hours after the onset of symptoms such as vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. In the acute form, affected dogs may exhibit signs of cold intolerance, elevated body temperature, depression, loss of appetite, and increased thirst. They may become very subdued, with occasional groans, and may show subcutaneous inflammatory edema in the chest and abdomen. Vomiting, diarrhea, blood in the feces, and bloodtinged vomit may also occur. Blood tests may reveal a decrease in white blood cells and an extended blood coagulation time.

The subacute form is less severe, with symptoms such as pharyngitis and laryngitis that can lead to tonsillar enlargement. Inflamed cervical lymph nodes can cause swelling in the head and neck. A hallmark symptom is corneal edema, known as "blue eye" disease. Dogs with corneal edema may exhibit blepharospasm, photophobia, and serous ocular discharge. Corneal opacity typically spreads from the edge to the center. The pain reflex usually diminishes gradually after the cornea becomes completely opaque, but it may intensify if glaucoma or corneal perforation develops.

In the chronic form, which is more common in older endemic areas or during the late stages of an epidemic, dogs may only show mild fever, fluctuating appetite, alternating constipation and diarrhea, and rarely die, often recovering spontaneously.

Treatment Options

The treatment approach focuses on antiviral therapy, preventing secondary infections, symptomatic treatment, and supportive care.

Antiviral Therapy:

Prescription 1: Hightiter immune serum, 12 mg/kg, administered subcutaneously or intravenously once daily for 3 days.

Prescription 2: Isatis root, taken orally, 1 packet per dose, three times daily.

Prescription 3: Virazole, 57 mg/kg, administered subcutaneously or intramuscularly once daily.

Prescription 4: Interferon, 100,000 to 200,000 units per dose, administered subcutaneously or intramuscularly every other day.

Preventing Secondary Infections and Antibiotics:

Prescription 5: Ampicillin, 2030 mg/kg, taken orally, twice or thrice daily; 1020 mg/kg for intravenous, subcutaneous, or intramuscular injection, twice or thrice daily.

Prescription 6: Cefazolin sodium, 1530 mg/kg, administered intravenously or intramuscularly three to four times daily.

Prescription 7: Suprax (amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium suspension), 0.1 ml/kg, administered intramuscularly or subcutaneously once daily.

Prescription 8: Trimethoprimsulfamethoxazole, 15 mg/kg, taken orally or administered subcutaneously twice daily.

Liver Protection:

Prescription 9: Potentyle, 48 ml per dose, administered intravenously.

Prescription 10: Methionine, 24 ml per dose, administered intramuscularly.

Prescription 11: Entonox (Sadenosylmethionine), 0.1 g per 5.5 kg, 0.2 g per (616) kg, taken orally once daily.

Prescription 12: Hepatol, 50200 mg per dose, taken orally three times daily; 100200 mg per dose, administered intramuscularly or intravenously once daily.

Prescription 13: Inosine, 2550 mg per dose, taken orally or administered intramuscularly.

Fluid Replacement and Immune Support:

Prescription 14: 5% glucose, ATP, coenzyme A, and vitamin C to replenish body fluids.

Preventing Eye Diseases:

Prescription 15: Atropine and procaine penicillin for topical eye drops.

Prescription 16: Hydroxybenzole hydrochloride eye drops for viral conjunctivitis, instilled 12 times per hour.