• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
DogsBestLife.com logo

Dog's Best Life

The information you need to keep your dog happy, healthy, playful and loyal.

  • Top Stories
  • Blog
  • What We Do
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

What is infectious canine hepatitis?

Posted November 12, 2020

Sick Pomeranian snuggles under blanket with a Teddy bear. Infectious canine hepatitis is found in dogs, wolves, or foxes. Without vaccination it is contagious and poses a serious threat to puppies.
Infectious canine hepatitis is found in dogs, wolves, or foxes. Without vaccination, it is contagious and poses a serious threat to puppies.

Infectious canine hepatitis, often referred to as simply ICH, is a contagious disease found in dogs, wolves, foxes, and other carnivores. Although uncommon in recent years in areas where pet owners vaccinate their dogs, infectious canine hepatitis remains a serious threat that can be fatal for very young dogs.

If you suspect your dog has infectious canine hepatitis, learn what to do to treat the virus and keep other pets safe. There are also ways you can prevent this disease, in most cases, for optimal pet safety.

What is canine hepatitis?

Canine hepatitis is a virus caused by canine adenovirus type 1 (CAV-1). This is a nonenveloped DNA virus. After a dog’s exposure, the initial infection will take place in the tonsillar crypts and Peyer patches. It can cause complications such as severe tonsillitis before spreading to the lymph nodes and circulating elsewhere in the dog’s body.

CAV-1 can lead to acute hepatitis (liver inflammation) if left untreated, as well as other diseases:

  • Respiratory disease
  • Encephalopathy
  • Ocular lesions
  • Chronic hepatitis

Infectious canine hepatitis can be a very serious disease, especially in young dogs.

How do dogs get hepatitis?

Vet examines Vizsla's throat and lymph nodes.
Infectious canine hepatitis can cause complications such as severe tonsillitis before spreading to the lymph nodes and circulating elsewhere in the dog’s body.

CAV-1 can survive outside of a host animal for several weeks or months. Ingestion of CAV-1 through the saliva, urine, or feces of an infected dog is the most common route of transmission. Even a dog who has recovered can have traces of the virus in its urine for six months or longer. Infectious canine hepatitis is most common in puppies that are less than one year old. Modern vaccines have decreased the number of older dogs with canine hepatitis.

A dog will have a higher chance of getting canine hepatitis under crowded and stressful conditions, especially if unvaccinated. The best way to prevent infectious canine hepatitis in your dog is with a vaccine, typically administered at seven to nine weeks old. Try to keep your puppy away from crowded places and dog parks until it receives the vaccination to prevent canine hepatitis.

What are the symptoms?

Your dog may have infectious canine hepatitis if you notice symptoms such as:

  • Fever
  • Fatigue
  • Coughing
  • Lack of appetite
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Signs of abdominal pain
  • Swelling of the lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the liver

You might also notice depression in your pet. If you notice any of these symptoms, especially in a young puppy, take your pet to a veterinarian right away for a checkup. Your vet can do blood tests and immune-fluorescence scanning to diagnose what is wrong.

Can infectious canine hepatitis be transmitted to humans?

No, infectious canine hepatitis is not transmittable to humans. CAV-1 is not contagious for humans. Cats also cannot get infectious canine hepatitis.

Keep your household sanitary to better protect your dog – and other dogs that live in your home – from infectious diseases. Use a 1%-3% solution of household bleach as a disinfectant on surfaces your dog touches. This will be enough to kill CAV-1 bacteria that can otherwise live in your home for many weeks.

What is the treatment for canine hepatitis?

There is no specific treatment for canine hepatitis. If a veterinarian diagnoses your dog with infectious canine hepatitis, he or she may recommend treatments to reduce symptoms and alleviate pain. Antibiotics may be administered to treat secondary infections, but they will not be effective against the virus itself. Your dog’s immune system should be able to beat infectious canine hepatitis on its own over time. Hospitalization and an IV may be necessary to reduce severe symptoms while your dog heals.

Although the condition is treatable, it does have a 10%-30% mortality rate. Younger dogs under the age of two are more likely to die from infectious canine hepatitis than older dogs. The best way to protect your pet is through household disinfection, separation from other dogs as a young puppy and vaccinations.

Alana RedmondAlana Redmond is a content writer who specializes in law and consumer safety. She also works with Ring Jimenez, P.C., a personal injury law firm in Albuquerque that specializes in dog bite injuries and accidents.

 

Warning signs: 9 dog illness symptoms and what they mean

Related Posts

  • Dog vaccines are injected in the scruff of the neck.
    Dog vaccines: What you need to know to protect your puppy

    Not all dog vaccines are created equal. Several like rabies…

  • Vet techs draw a blood sample from collie. Liver toxicity can happen in dogs of all ages, and especially in pups. Dogs are more susceptible to liver disease due to immature liver metabolism.
    What you need to know about liver disease in dogs

    Common symptoms of liver disease in dogs include: Decreased appetite,…

  • Veterinarian examines Golden Retriever. One out of 10 dogs will develop canine chronic kidney disease during their lifetime. Learn to prevent this condition or make the most of treatment.
    Kidney disease in dogs: Spot the warning signs

    One out of 10 dogs will develop canine chronic kidney…

  • Small brown and white dog wears a mask. Dogs and coronavirus: Canines unlikely to catch or transmit the virus to people or other animals, World Small Animal Veterinary Association says.
    Coronavirus and dogs: Can canines get COVID-19?

    Dogs and coronavirus: Canines unlikely to catch or transmit the…

Share this post:

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Pinterest Share on Email Share on Reddit

Filed Under: Dog Health Tagged With: Health conditions

« Previous Post
Next Post »

Primary Sidebar

Follow Us

Categories

  • Adoption
  • Dog Breeds
  • Dog Facts
  • Dog Fun
  • Dog Grooming
  • Dog Health
  • Dog Inspirations
  • Dog Training
  • Dog Travel
  • Holidays
  • Home Page
  • Puppies
  • Top Stories

Featured Posts

  • Tricolor Australian shepherd in front of white background. Take steps to stop dog pawing.

    Canine body language: What’s your dog saying with his paws?

  • Cute corgi puppy wrapped in a blanket. Talk with your vet about starting your dog on medication to protect him from parasites including flea and tick prevention, as well as heartworm prevention.

    Puppy training 101: 10 tips to prepare your dog for success

  • Thinking of getting a furry friend? Use the DogsBestLife.com perfect dog breed quiz to find the perfect canine companion.

    Take our dog breed quiz to discover the perfect breed for you!

Tags

Vacation dog carePawRottweilerPuppy-proofThanksgivingPet parentsSocializationPetfinder.comSmall dogsPit bullVeterinarianTwo dogsPomeranianService dogsTicksWaterYorkshire terrierOutdoor activitiesSheddingValentine's Daytraining tipsPotty trainingPoodleOld dogsRescue dogPet sitterPuppy kindergartenSeparation anxietyWorking dogsPandemic

Footer

Quick Links

  • Home
  • Top Stories
  • Blog
  • What We Do
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Recent Posts

  • Dog bite accident: What compensation are you entitled to?
    Dogs can cause serious injuries. Protect yourself and your wallet by understanding dog bite compensation laws. […]
  • What is canine pyometra? Understand causes, symptoms, treatment
    Canine pyometra is a serious uterine infection that affects around one in four unspayed female dogs. Spaying provides the best protection. […]
  • Can dogs eat potatoes? Are starchy vegetables safe for dogs?
    Can dogs eat potatoes? Keep your dog healthy by occasionally adding potatoes to its diet. Before changing your dog's diet, consult your vet. […]
  • Does my dog have Addison’s Disease? Understand symptoms, treatment
    Early detection and treatment are essential for canine Addison's Disease. With quick action, most dogs will make a full recovery. […]

Get Our Newsletter

Get more news to help keep your dog healthy delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for DogsBestLife.com's monthly newsletter.

© Copyright 2023 DogsBestLife.com online magazine · All Rights Reserved · Privacy
Get Our Free Monthly Newsletter

Get more news to help keep your dog healthy delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for DogsBestLife.com's monthly newsletter.