Infectious hepatitis in dogs (Hepatitis infectiosa canis, Rubart's disease, canine viral hepatitis) - acute contagious viral disease, characterized by fever, catarrh of the mucous membrane of the respiratory and digestive tracts, damage to the liver and central nervous system.

Pathogen— DNA-containing virus (Adenovirus caninae) from the genus Mastadenovirus of the adenovirus family. The strains differ somewhat in their virulence, but they are all immunologically and antigenically homogeneous and usually have low virulence. Depending on the severity of tropism for liver or brain tissue, virus strains are divided into neuro- and hepatotropic. The virus adapts to chicken embryos, exhibits a cytopathic effect in cell cultures of the kidney and testis of a dog, kidney of a ferret, raccoon and piglet, forming plaques in a monolayer.

The causative agent of canine hepatitis has an immunological relationship with the canine infectious laryngotracheitis virus, as well as a one-way antigenic relationship with type 7 human adenovirus.

Virions of the pathogen are oval and round, located in the nuclei of cells. Their structure includes precipitating, hemagglutinating and complement-fixing antigens. All strains have the same group and specific complement-binding antigens. The group antigen is related to the human adenovirus antigen and very little to human hepatitis.

The virus tolerates drying and freezing well. At room temperature it remains active for 10-13 weeks, at 4°C for more than 9 months, at 37°C for up to 29 days, 50°C for 150 minutes, 60°C for 3-5 minutes, 100°C for 1 minute. . In pathological material preserved with a 50% glycerol solution, the virus does not die at 4°C for up to 8 years. The pathogen is resistant to ether, chloroform and methanol.

Under the influence of ultraviolet rays, it is most quickly inactivated in aqueous solutions (in 30-60 minutes). Many disinfectants (formalin, phenol, Lysol, freshly slaked lime, alkalis) destroy the virus.

Epizootology. Infectious hepatitis affects dogs, as well as arctic foxes, foxes, wolves, and jackals. Young animals aged 1.5-12 months are more susceptible to infectious hepatitis. Animals over 3 years old rarely get sick. Humans, cats, mice and monkeys can be hidden carriers of the canine infectious hepatitis virus. The source of the infectious agent is sick animals, convalescents and virus carriers, in which the virus is excreted in nasal mucus, saliva, conjunctival secretions, urine and feces for several weeks and even months. In nature, the reservoir of the virus is wild animals and stray dogs. Infectious hepatitis occurs in isolated cases or epizootic outbreaks.

In dog kennels, infectious hepatitis sometimes affects up to 75% of dogs and is accompanied by high mortality (35% or more). Infection occurs through the nutritional route (through food and water). Feed, water, equipment, clothing, etc., contaminated with the excrement of sick animals can be of great importance in the spread of infectious hepatitis.

The morbidity and mortality of dogs is directly dependent on the body's resistance. Hypothermia, overheating and inadequate feeding of animals, especially lack of vitamins in the feed, as well as accompanying secondary infections (, "",), helminthic infestations and other adverse effects activate the latent course of hepatitis, leading to clinical manifestation diseases.

Pathogenesis. IN natural conditions the infectious hepatitis virus, having entered through the dog’s mouth, is fixed on the surface of the pharyngeal mucosa and affects epithelial cells palatine tonsils causing inflammation (tonsillitis).

Attachment of the virus to the target cell occurs under low pH conditions due to peptone base structures, and in a neutral environment through filamentous processes. The process of virus entry into a cell occurs by pinocytosis or directly through the cell membrane. Following epithelial cells palatine tonsils virus can infect lymphoid cells (lymphocytes) and phagocytes located in this organ. In the future, through lymphatic vessels and in the blood the virus enters the regional (submandibular and retropharyngeal) lymph nodes, and from there it is spread throughout the body through the bloodstream. Typically, the virus infects cells of the kidneys, liver, lymph nodes, thymus, intestines, etc. Multiple inflammatory foci occur in the dog’s body. The virus has the ability to directly infect and destroy vascular endothelial cells. As a result, a violation of vascular permeability occurs and, as a consequence, in various organs (intestines, liver, kidneys, spleen, meninges, lymph nodes, etc.) multiple swelling and hemorrhages develop – characteristic feature canine hepatitis. If the course of the disease is unfavorable, necrotic lesions may also form in these organs.

Destructive changes are especially pronounced in the liver, where the virus infects the cells of the hepatic parenchyma, causing the phenomenon of granular fatty degeneration in it. This process at acute course Infectious hepatitis may be accompanied by intense cellular decay and the formation of necrotic foci in the liver.

The process in the liver usually begins with damage to the endothelium by the virus blood vessels liver. Their porosity increases and numerous perivascular edema and hemorrhagic infiltration of the organ develop. On histosections at this time, one can observe a pronounced outline of the lobular pattern of the liver due to the effusion of plasma and blood cells into the lumens of Disse.

Often, with vascular pathology, collaterals occur between the portal and vena cava (portal hypertension). As a result, non-neutralized toxic products from the intestines, bypassing the liver, enter the bloodstream. The animal develops toxicosis, which causes irritation of the vomiting centers of the brain. The entry of bile pigments into the blood can also be the result of vascular pathologies.

The development of toxicosis in the body of a sick dog actively promotes the multiplication of the virus in the liver Kupffer cells, which ensure the neutralization of various microorganisms and their toxins. As a result, these cells die. Impaired liver function and, in particular, suppression of the processes of resorption of vitamin K by liver cells leads to a decrease in the production of blood clotting factors (prothrombin, etc.). This leads to multiple hemorrhages in the mucous membranes and serous membranes. After damage to the nerve centers of the brain and spinal cord locomotor disorders appear. During the period of pronounced clinical signs, the virus is in the blood, in all secrets and excreta, later - only in the kidneys and urine.

Clinical signs. Incubation period with spontaneous hepatitis in dogs it lasts 6-9 days or more, in wild animals 10-20 or more days. In infectious hepatitis, there are fulminant, acute, chronic and latent courses of the disease. Clinical signs of the disease most often appear in young animals 1-9 months of age.

With lightning current death in an animal occurs suddenly with symptoms of convulsions, within 2-24 hours.

In acute cases illness, which lasts from 2 to 10 days, in a sick animal we note depression, loss of appetite, thirst, vomiting mixed with bile, sometimes with blood, and diarrhea. IN stool mucus and blood are detected. The body temperature of a sick dog rises sharply to 40-41.5°C, we note shortness of breath and rapid breathing, frustration cardiovascular system, tachycardia sometimes even with a weakening of pulse filling and arrhythmia, an increase in submandibular lymph nodes, a sore throat develops, conjunctivitis with profuse lacrimation, dogs develop weakness in the hind limbs, pain on palpation of the xiphoid process, right costal arch ( right hypochondrium) and abdomen, the border of the liver increases upon palpation. Due to impaired synthesis of albumin in the liver, in some sick animals, in some cases hypoproteinemic edema may develop in the chest area and abdominal cavity(). The appearance of ascites in a sick dog is also associated with impaired blood flow in the portal vein system (portal hypertension). In acute liver failure, a sick animal may develop acidosis. As a result of a violation of methionine metabolism, the formation and increased release of methyl mercaptan through the lungs occurs in the body of a sick dog, as a result of which a specific sweetish-fetid odor of this product is felt from the sick dog. At severe pain in the liver area, the sick animal is forced to take an unnatural sitting position with its front legs widely spaced. On days 3-10, in 20-50% of sick animals, the cornea of ​​one or both eyes becomes cloudy - the so-called “blue eye” syndrome appears, which usually appears during recovery and indicates a favorable course of the disease. Keratitis that occurs in acute cases in a sick dog goes away within a few days. At chronic course The disease keratitis in dogs lasts a long time, sometimes leading to blindness. In some animals, yellowness of the mucous membranes, hemorrhages of the gums, and swelling are noted. subcutaneous tissue, as well as convulsions, spasms, paralysis and paresis. In sick animals, areas of the skin appear colored yellow, especially on hairless areas. Urine becomes dark brown in color.

When examining blood, her picture is characterized by severe leukopenia. Eosinophils disappear in the blood, and in neutrophils we note a nuclear shift to the left (the appearance of young, less perfect and active cells). The number of monocytes increases. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) accelerates to 20-30mm. In the blood serum we find an increase in the level of bilirubin and transaminases.

When examining blood during the recovery period, we observe an increase in the number of leukocytes (up to 30-35 thousand) and including eosinophils (up to normal). With this blood picture, the body temperature of the sick animal drops and toxicosis decreases.

The illness usually lasts from two days to two weeks. Signs of nervous system dysfunction can also occur during the recovery period and resemble symptoms of the plague. They arise as a result of vascular pathologies (edema and hemorrhage) in the area of ​​the membranes of the spinal cord and brain. They manifest themselves as impaired coordination of movement, convulsions, paralysis and paresis. At the same time, nervous phenomena in infectious hepatitis are much easier than in carnivore plague and can quickly pass without consequences.

Chronic course The disease occurs mainly in adult dogs and cats or in stationary epizootic foci. In chronic hepatitis, the symptoms of the disease are not characteristic and not distinct. In chronic cases in sick animals, we note a violation digestive functions, A constant diarrhea and vomiting lead to exhaustion and dehydration of the body, rare fever with a rise in body temperature to 39.5-40 ° C, anemia, especially on the mucous membranes, swelling of the subcutaneous tissue and phlegmon in the head and limbs, necrosis in the muscles.

All this entails a violation of electrolyte metabolism in the body of a sick animal (hypokalemia and hyponatremia). The sick animal loses a lot of weight, becomes weak, and has difficulty getting up.

Affected females may abort or give birth to nonviable puppies.

A common symptom is a gradual clouding of the cornea, which may disappear for a while and then reappear (blue eye syndrome).

Latent form The disease is accompanied by the release of the virus without signs of the animal becoming infected with infectious hepatitis. However, the disease can occur under the influence unfavorable factors, reducing the body’s resistance (hypothermia, hypovitaminosis, change of owner, environment, etc.).

Diagnostics. The diagnosis is made based on the analysis of epidemiological data, clinical signs, pathological and anatomical changes and laboratory research and the presence of Rupert's bodies.

In veterinary clinics, a lifetime diagnosis of infectious hepatitis is most often made on the basis of clinical signs of the disease and serological tests. In order to detect antiviral antibodies in the blood serum of patients with infectious canine hepatitis, the diffuse precipitation reaction (DPR) in agar gel, enzyme-linked immunosorbent, radioimmune and other tests are used.

Differential diagnosis. When conducting a differential diagnosis, the veterinarian at the clinic must exclude nutritional poisoning. Typical clinical signs are: frequent vomiting with bile, clouding of the cornea with a blue tint (“blue eye”), yellowness of the mucous membranes, and often the skin, dark brown urine, tenderness of the liver upon palpation.

Treatment. Treatment, as with all diseases, must be comprehensive. A sick dog must be isolated in a warm, draft-free, darkened room. We provide complete peace and quiet. We feed with easily digestible protein and carbohydrate fortified foods. Fatty foods We completely exclude it from the diet of a sick dog. Specific immunotherapy carried out using specific hyperimmune sera against infectious canine hepatitis. The most active in this regard is serum from dogs that have recovered from infectious hepatitis. At the same time, the use of serum is most effective on early stages development of the disease.

To cleanse the intestines of toxic contents, micro- and macroenemas are used 3-4 times a day. When setting them, decoctions and infusions are used medicinal herbs: sage, string, chamomile, St. John's wort, yarrow, coltsfoot, etc. In addition to medicinal herbs, various disinfectants can be successfully used, such as: potassium permanganate (to a faint pink color), furatsilin (1 tablet per 200 ml boiled water), furozolidone, potassium hydrocarbonate, boric acid and others. After cleaning and disinfecting the intestines, the sick animal is given a nutritious enema, most often from saline solution sodium chloride or glucose, as well as “second cooking” beef broth, 100-500 ml.

To suppress pathogenic microflora, veterinary specialists most often prescribe children's antibiotics of the cephalosporin series (kefzol, claforan, caricef, fortum, etc.) penicillins: ampicillin, benzylpenicillin, ampiox. They are administered to a sick animal 2-3 times a day at the rate of 10-50 thousand units per 1 kg of body weight for a week.

Appointment is required antihistamines: fenkarol, tavegil, suprastin, diphenhydramine or pipolfen.

Symptomatic therapy for a sick animal consists of the use of various vitamin and multivitamin preparations. A sick animal needs to be administered 3-4 times a day. ascorbic acid or ascorutin, vitamins B-1, B-2, B-6, B-12, and vikasol. All vitamin preparations injected intramuscularly or subcutaneously at time intervals. The following multivitamins are included: Revit, Undevit, Hexavit, Polivit, Nutrisan and others.

In the treatment of infectious hepatitis, veterinary specialists cannot do without the use of hepatoprotectors, of which the most commonly used are: Lif-52 1 tablet 2-3 times a day, Karsil ½-1 tablet 2-3 times a day for a week, Silibor ½-1 tablet 3 times a day every day for up to two months. The best of them is Essentiale Forte, which is administered 3 times a day for 3 months in a dose of 1-2 capsules, and in the first week it is better to administer it intravenously as a solution of 1-5 ml per 1 injection, and then switch to capsules . Follow up acute hepatitis, as well as its chronic form, can be achieved with the help of sirepar, vitagepat or intravenously 0.5-2 ml 2 times a day for two to three weeks, if the hepatitis is subacute and chronic.

In severe stages of the disease, intravenous infusions in the form of droppers of glucose solutions (5% concentration), Ringer, Ringer-Lock, Trisol, etc. are very effective. If possible, they are injected until significant improvement general condition sick animal.

In addition to these medications, cardiac, antiemetic, antipyretic, analgesic, adsorbents and glucocorticoids are used in symptomatic therapy. Vitamin or vitamin-mineral products are instilled into the eyes on the conjunctiva: vitaiodurol, n-catalin, etc. 2-3 times a day until recovery.

Prevention and control measures. To prevent infectious hepatitis, as well as to combat it, general veterinary and sanitary measures are carried out, which should be based on the principle of comprehensiveness of anti-epizootic measures: preventing the introduction of infection, timely diagnosis of hepatitis, carrying out measures aimed at eliminating the disease.

Restrictions on infectious hepatitis of dogs from the kennel are lifted 30 days after the last case of recovery or death of animals from infectious hepatitis, after completion of final measures and disinfection.

Rational feeding and good care for dogs, timely disinfection of premises, preventive vaccination puppies and adult dogs with domestic and imported vaccines in accordance with the instructions. Currently, kanvak (Czech Republic), nobi-vac (Holland), vanguard (Belgium), pentadog and hexadog (France), etc. are used for vaccination.

Puppies are vaccinated starting at two or three months of age. It is advisable to vaccinate puppies simultaneously with the administration of immunomodulators. Adult dogs must be vaccinated annually.

Hepatitis in dogs is viral disease, which is not dangerous to humans. The causative agent of hepatitis is adenovirus. A dog becomes infected in two ways: either through direct contact with a sick animal, or through general subjects– bowls, toys. Viral hepatitis is called Rubort's disease, named after the doctor who described the disease in 1937.

Except viral form This disease also produces a toxic form of hepatitis. Toxic liver disease (toxic hepatitis) can be caused in dogs by long-term use of medications and poor nutrition. Some ready-made feed low quality contain toxins harmful to the body.

It is extremely dangerous to feed your pet food from unknown manufacturers. Owners often believe that a dog's stomach is waste-free production, and therefore give the dog any food. This could be food from the table or spoiled food from the refrigerator.

Also, many owners are guilty of uncontrolled reception medicines, including antibiotics. With or without reason, they themselves prescribe treatment to animals, from which the pet’s liver suffers. Among possible consequences taking medications toxic hepatitis is not the best terrible disease. Owners prescribe it to their pets along with antibiotics. hormonal drugs, which leads to steroid hepatitis.

Toxic hepatitis occurs in dogs if they have been exposed to it for a long time toxic substances. These include acaricidal drugs aimed at combating ticks. They are highly toxic.

Another factor that negatively affects a dog’s liver is the presence of worms in the pet’s body. This causes intoxication of the liver with further degeneration.

Symptoms of hepatitis in dogs

The symptoms of viral and toxic hepatitis are similar. Most important symptom which appears in a sick animal - liver enlargement. An experienced veterinarian is able to identify the disease even by palpation.

Typical symptoms for any type of hepatitis:

• Yellowness of the sclera and mucous membranes of the eye.
• Vomiting bile.
• Characteristic diarrhea light color mixed with blood.
• Urine is dark brown.
• The animal is lethargic and refuses to eat.

For the infectious form of hepatitis, the symptoms are more pronounced:

1. The temperature rises to 40 degrees.
2. Tonsillitis and pharyngitis develop.
3. Purulent discharge appears from the nose.
4. Rapid breathing and shortness of breath appear.
5. The dog is in pain.
6. In case of severe internal pain, the animal takes a reclining position, stretching its neck forward.
7. Important clinical symptom is the appearance of keratitis in the eyes of a dog, another name is “Blue Eye”. This occurs due to inflammation of the cornea of ​​the eye. It becomes rough with a blue tint.
8. Possible development nervous symptoms, such as loss of coordination, convulsions, paralysis.

Diagnostics

As already mentioned, the first symptom that appears in an infected animal is an enlarged liver. For precise setting Diagnosis by a veterinarian is not enough palpate the animal. It is necessary to conduct a number of tests and studies, including:

• An ultrasound of the liver will show how enlarged the liver is.
• A biochemical blood test based on bilirubin levels determines the presence of liver pathology.
• In rare cases, a biopsy of the diseased organ.

Based on the results obtained, the veterinarian makes a diagnosis.

Treatment

Hepatitis treatment infectious nature aimed at destruction of adenovirus in the animal's body. To achieve this, the following activities are carried out:

1. Special immunotherapy is the introduction of specific multivalent sera against adenovirus. The administration of serums is most effective in the early stages of the disease.
2. Maintenance immunotherapy is the use of immunostimulants that act directly on the cellular unit. These drugs are low toxic. Therapy is carried out over 2 weeks.
3. Hepaprotective therapy – administration of drugs to the animal to protect and maintain the liver;
4. Antiemetic therapy - the use of Cerucal to relieve attacks of vomiting;
5. Vitamin therapy - the use of B vitamins to avoid fatty liver disease liver. Folic acid is also prescribed to improve liver metabolism.
6. Antibacterial therapy - the use of targeted spectrum antibiotics, for example, amoxicillin, clavulanate, cefadroxil.

If hepatitis is toxic in nature, then cleansing procedures are indicated - gastric lavage in order to rid the body of toxins.

Diet

If you have infectious hepatitis, your dog must follow a diet. It is necessary to limit as much as possible the intake of protein foods (meat, canned meat) into the animal’s body. The main diet of a dog during illness should be carbohydrate foods (vegetables and cereals).

Course of the disease

Scenarios for the development of the disease can be different:

1. At acute form Infectious hepatitis requires a rapid response from the hosts. If treatment is started quickly and is carried out in the right direction, then the prognosis is favorable. The dog recovers in 5-6 days
2. In the acute form of hepatitis, if the animal is weakened, the disease develops rapidly and can die in a matter of hours.
3. In case of a toxic form of hepatitis, it is necessary to carry out detoxification therapy in a timely manner. The prognosis is favorable.
4. At chronic form hepatitis in dogs death unlikely. It is necessary to constantly carry out hepaprotective therapy to maintain the liver.

Prevention

In recent decades, to prevent infectious hepatitis, all puppies aged 1-3 months have been vaccinated against hepatitis. After a routine vaccination, the dog must be quarantined - isolated from other animals for up to two weeks.

Infectious canine hepatitis (Hepatitis infectiosa) (synonyms: infectious inflammation liver, Rubart's disease) is an acute contagious viral disease manifested by fever, follicularconjunctivitis , catarrh mucous membranes respiratory tract and gastrointestinal tract, as well as severe damage to the liver and central nervous system.

Causative agent of infectious hepatitis in dogs

A DNA virus from the adenovirus family of the genus Mastadenovirus. Different strains have different virulence, but are very homogeneous in their antigenic structure and immunogenic properties. Adenovirus infection manifests itself in dogs in two forms: infectious hepatitis caused by adenovirus type 1 (CAV-1); adenovirus, caused by adenovirus type 2 (CAV-2).

The virus is resistant to various physical and chemical influences, remains active at 4°C for more than 9 months, at room temperature (18-20°C) for 2-3 months. When heated above 60°C, it is inactivated after 30-40 minutes, and at 100°C - after 1 minute. The pathogen persists for a long time low temperatures in secretions, organs and tissues of sick animals.

Resistance to disinfectants. The virus belongs to the 2nd group of resistance of pathogens of infectious diseases.

Epizootological data

Infectious canine hepatitis has been registered in many countries of the world, including widespread in Belarus, Russia and other CIS countries. The disease affects dogs various breeds and ages, but puppies aged 2-6 months most often become ill. Wild carnivores are also susceptible to the disease: wolves, foxes, arctic foxes, ferrets, etc.

The source of the infectious agent is sick dogs and virus carriers, which secrete the virus in nasal and eye mucus, urine, and feces. This disease is characterized by prolonged viral carriage, often for many years. Stray dogs and wild carnivores are the main reservoir of infection.

Sporadic casesillnesses animals appear at any time of the year, but in the form of an epizootic infectious hepatitis is usually observed in the spring and summer when puppies are born. Many domestic and foreign authors(V.A. Chizhov et al., 1990; N.A. Masimov, A.I. Belykh, 1996, etc.) note that female virus carriers can infect their puppies and males for many years manufacturers. This must be taken into account when drawing up plans for breeding work in clubs and nurseries, as well as when immunizing animals.

Infection with infectious canine hepatitis

For this disease, the two most typical routes of infection are contact (direct or indirect) and nutritional (feed, water).

The incubation period is usually 2-5 days, sometimes reaching 8-10 days.

Pathogenesis

With the nutritional method of infecting dogs, the virus initially penetrates the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract and lymph nodes, where it multiplies.
After 3-5 days, the virus spreads through the blood and lymph throughout the body, affecting various organs and tissues, especially the liver, gallbladder, spleen, kidneys. Dystrophic changes, developing in these organs, cause serious disturbances in the functioning of the body - metabolic disorders, intoxication, cardiopulmonary failure etc.

Symptoms of infectious hepatitis in dogs

Infectious canine hepatitis can occur in various forms: beyond acute (fulminant), acute, subacute and chronic, but most often the disease manifests itself in an acute form. Hyperacute and acute forms of the disease manifest themselves mainly in young animals with a weakened immune system (primary and secondary immunodeficiencies), especially in unvaccinated puppies under 6 months of age. At lightning-fast form the disease develops suddenly, rapidly, without characteristic clinical signs, and the animals die within one day (in such cases, acutepoisoning ).

In the acute form of the disease, animals exhibit a depressed state, refusal to feed, hyperthermia up to 40-41°C, and the temperature curve may have two peaks. The most characteristic clinical signs of infectious hepatitis are: increased thirst, frequent vomiting mixed with bile,acute gastroenteritis , diarrhea (diarrhea), whitish stool, yellowness of the mucous membranes, as well as one- or two-sidedkeratitis (clouding of the cornea of ​​the eye) and acute viral tonsillitis (inflammation of the tonsils). The latter are enlarged, painful and swollen on palpation. Keratitis occurs in approximately 30% of affected dogs and often occurs without obvious signs.purulent conjunctivitis (unlikecanine plague ); whitish, bluish opacities of the cornea of ​​the eyes - the so-called “blue eye”, with the successful course of the disease, gradually disappear. Important clinical sign Infectious hepatitis is marked liver tenderness upon palpation in the area of ​​the xiphoid process (immediately behind the diaphragm). Due to liver disease, dogs often sit with their front legs spread wide apart.

In addition, sick animals have serious disorders cardiovascular and respiratory system body. The pulse is usually rapid, over 100 beats per minute, often arrhythmic; breathing is heavy, rapid, over 40 per minute - for large breeds dogs, in medium and small breeds these figures are correspondingly higher. At severe course The disease may cause convulsive movements, paralysis of the limbs and other symptoms of damage to the central nervous system.

The duration of the disease in the acute form depends on many factors: the state of the immune system, age, the presence of mixed infections, timeliness and effectiveness of treatment, etc. Usually, with a successful course of the disease, approximately 40-50% of dogs recover in 5-10 days. In other cases (immunodeficiency states, mixed infections) the duration of the disease can be 2-3 weeks.

In the subacute and chronic course of the disease, the above symptoms are generally less pronounced and have longer duration and are characterized by nonspecific, undefined disorders various systems animal body. For example, sick dogs experience a short-term increase in body temperature, decreased appetite, fatigue at physical activity, temporary disorders of the functions of the cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal tract (diarrhea followed by constipation, etc.), etc. Chronically ill pregnant females (bitches) most often abort or give birth to dead and (or) non-viable puppies.

Hematological parameters in acute and subacute forms infectious canine hepatitis have characteristic changes. In the initial stage of the disease, as a rule, pronounced leukopenia (2-3 thousand leukocytes), a relative increase in the percentage of neutrophils, the disappearance of eosinophils and a shift leukocyte formula to the left to juvenile forms, a decrease in the percentage of lymphocytes to 7-15, monocytosis. IN acute period disease, the ESR rises sharply to 30 mm, sometimes to 69-70 mm. Subsequently, approximately on the 7-9th day, the number of leukocytes increases significantly and can reach 30-35 thousand, the number of eosinophils normalizes - all this indicates the recovery of the animal (V.A. Chizhov, 1978, N.A. Masimov, A.I. Belykh, 1996, etc.).

Diagnosis

To establish (confirm) accurate diagnosis if an acute infectious disease is suspected, it is necessary to urgently examine the blood of a sick animal for indication (detection) and identification (determination of species and genus) of the causative agent of the disease.

The final diagnosis is made based on the analysis of epizootic, clinical, pathological data and laboratory test results (isolation of the causative agent of infectious canine hepatitis and identification of characteristic bodies - Rubart's inclusions). For laboratory diagnostics They use various reactions: RDP, RGA, RIF, RN, etc.

At differential diagnosis infectious hepatitis must be differentiated from plague,leptospirosis , parvo- andcoronavirus enteritis , salmonellosis and poisoning.

Forecast

In hyperacute and acute course of the disease, mortality among revaccinated puppies can reach 80-100%. In adult dogs, depending on the severity of the disease, it is 10-50%.

Treatment of infectious hepatitis in dogs

For etiotropic therapy animals with a preliminary and (or) clinical diagnosis of infectious hepatitis in the initial stage of the disease, it is advisable to use appropriate associated (polyvalent) domestic and foreign sera. For example, domestic polyvalent serum against plague, parvovirus infections and viral hepatitis of carnivores, according to the approved instructions, is recommended for use intramuscularly or subcutaneously with inner surface hips with preventive purpose animals weighing up to 5 kg in a dose of 3 ml of serum, weighing more than 5 kg - 5 ml. WITH therapeutic purpose the dose of administered serum is increased by 2 times, i.e. 6 or 10 ml respectively.

At severe forms diseases or in case of delayed treatment, the serum is reused at intervals of 12-24 hours. However, in order to avoid post-serum allergic complications, it is necessary to clarify that this polyvalent serum, like many others, is heterologous (made from the blood of other animal species, in particular healthy oxen, hyperimmunized corresponding strains of viruses). Therefore, we recommend, firstly, before introducing full dose serum, conduct an allergic diagnostic bioassay (the animal is first injected with 1 ml of serum, observe it for 30-60 minutes, then administer the rest of the dose), and secondly, more carefully determine the dose of serum depending on the weight of the animal (calculate the dose per 1 kg mass).

With laboratory confirmation of a preliminary (clinical) diagnosis of infectious hepatitis, the most important drugs etiotropic therapy are homologous monovalent immunoglobulins and monovalent serum against infectious hepatitis of dogs, which are used in accordance with the instructions for their use.

In the system complex treatment Pathogenetic, replacement and symptomatic therapy is also used for sick animals. In particular, to stimulate phagocytosis, cellular and humoral immunity, as well as withplague carnivores, it is recommended to use new immunomodulators: polyoxidonium, vitan, lycopid, galavit, ribotan and others. To support liver function, the drugs Essentiale (in capsules and ampoules), Sirepar (in ampoules), etc. have proven themselves well. These drugs are used in accordance with the instructions for their use.

Feeding a dog with infectious hepatitis

In case acute lesion gastrointestinal tract (vomiting, diarrhea) - complete deprivation of food in the first 24-48 hours, but offer clean water, water with glucose or electrolyte solutions with glucose. Diet replacement therapy is then prescribed..

Immunity

Animals that have recovered from the disease develop stable, long-term immunity.

Pathological changes for infectious hepatitis in dogs are very diverse. The most characteristic changes are observed in the liver, which is significantly increased in size; the gallbladder is also enlarged, the walls are edematous. The spleen, kidneys and lymph nodes are enlarged and full of blood in most cases. Histological studies in the cells of the liver and other organs reveal oval and round intranuclear bodies characteristic of this disease - Rubart's inclusions.

Prevention

active day specific prevention associated vaccines are used:Biovac-DPAL , Pentavac,Hexakanivac , Trivirokan and others. Among the foreign associated vaccines, Bivirovax, Trivirovax, Hexadog (France), Vanguard-5, 7 (USA), etc. are used.

For passive immunization of puppies in early age(4-6 weeks) in unfavorable epizootic conditions or group housing, use specific immunoglobulins or hyperimmune serums against infectious hepatitis.

Hepatitis in dogs is an infectious disease transmitted from animal to animal. Let us immediately make a reservation that the adenovirus in dogs has nothing in common with human hepatitis, so an infected dog does not pose a danger to people. But for the animal itself, especially under the age of one year, the virus poses a huge danger.

Causes and types of hepatitis in dogs

Infectious hepatitis, which is caused by one of the forms of adenovirus, is not the only form of this disease, although it is the most common. Liver damage that gives symptoms of hepatitis is also caused by:

1. toxic hepatitis. It is most often caused by long-term use toxic drugs, but liver damage can be caused by the accumulation of metals in the body, poisoning by toxins. In order to avoid liver damage during a course of serious treatment, it is necessary to simultaneously take medications that support the liver. Baking can also cause damage. Some foods contain large number harmful substances that can accumulate in the body;
2. Infectious hepatitis (Rubart's disease) is caused by adenovirus type I, this is the most common form of this disease.

If the animal does not receive timely treatment, acute hepatitis can become chronic, causing constant suffering to the animal. Chronic hepatitis can last a lifetime, in which case the dog will need ongoing maintenance treatment. At favorable outcome the disease progresses to a non-acute chronic form, although hospital treatment may be required to stabilize the dog's condition. Until the end of its life, the animal must be under the supervision of a doctor and undergo periodic examinations.

Symptoms

The first thing that should alert the owner is a sudden change in the pet’s behavior. The dog becomes lethargic and loses interest in playing and eating. In any case, this is a reason to worry and contact a veterinarian.

Many dogs experience hepatitis before the age of one year in a mild form, almost unnoticed by the owner, which is why 75% of adult animals have acquired immunity to viral hepatitis. But the remaining animals suffer from hepatitis very hard, and puppies up to a year old often die from this disease. The incubation period lasts from 2 to 8 days; as viral or other hepatitis develops, it leads to the appearance of symptoms that clearly indicate liver damage:

1. The tonsils may be enlarged and the neck and head may swell. It becomes difficult for the dog to swallow, as if he is constantly choking on food. Unlike plague, hepatitis does not affect the lungs, but breathing often becomes irregular;
2. heartbeat becomes intermittent and quickens;
3. the temperature rises sharply to 40.3 degrees, even with high temperature may remain active, but die from infection within 1-2 days;
4. In a third of cases, a whitish film appears on one or both eyes, which disappears after a few days;
5. the liver increases in size;
6. a classic sign of hepatitis is the yellow color of the mucous membranes and whites of the eyes;
7. stool becomes whitish in color;
8. dark urine;
9. diarrhea, vomiting;
10. Paralysis of limbs and convulsions occur in puppies.

A blood test is needed to confirm the diagnosis. Only in this case can you accurately distinguish hepatitis from the list of diagnoses with similar characteristics: plague, lung infections and other diseases.

In the acute form, the signs of the disease are more pronounced, the animal becomes apathetic and lethargic. In the chronic form, the symptoms are less noticeable; with proper supportive treatment, the dog can lead normal image life.

Routes of infection and disease progression scenarios

Most infectious agents are found in the saliva of an infected dog, so hepatitis is transmitted through contact, sniffing feces and urine, in which the virus persists for a year even in cured animals. But the virus may remain active for some time. external environment, therefore, the disease is transmitted through shared toys, bowls and in common areas of several animals.

The incubation period of infectious hepatitis is 2-8 days. The disease usually lasts up to three weeks, in most cases the acute phase passes in 2-4 days; with a favorable outcome, the animal develops immunity for life.

The disease can develop in several scenarios:

• if a weakened animal is infected, liver damage can lead to death within a few hours. In this case, it is most often not possible to save the animal;
• acute hepatitis - a life-threatening condition develops extremely quickly; a dog, especially if it is a puppy, can die within 1-3 days from acute infection. But most animals with proper treatment survive acute hepatitis
• chronic hepatitis is a form of the disease with less severe symptoms and slow progression, rarely leading to death.

Treatment

The optimal course of therapy depends on the form of hepatitis and how the disease progresses.

1. infectious hepatitis is treated with injections of polyvalent serum. To support the body, immunomodulators (Gamavit, Vitan and others) and restorative drugs (Essentiale, Sirepar) are also prescribed. A course of glucose injections is often prescribed to quickly remove toxins and support the body. Immunity is also supported by vitamins and improved nutrition. Before treatment, the animal’s diet should be enriched as much as possible;
2. To cleanse the body of toxins, gastric lavage is prescribed (if the cause is food poisoning) and a set of supportive measures similar to the treatment of infectious hepatitis. With timely initiation of treatment, in most cases it is possible to successfully get rid of the consequences of intoxication.

All items should definitely be excluded from the dog’s diet during treatment. fatty foods and all products from the human table. The ideal option is complete food; this can make the dog’s food much more expensive, but will protect the liver from further damage. During therapy, the diet can be supplemented with fish and chicken broths. Balanced diet– the main liver support measure for all liver diseases; you should not rely only on drug treatment.

If the animal is suffering chronic hepatitis, regular walks and moderate physical activity. But until the end of the acute phase of the disease, bed rest is indicated.

Do I need to get vaccinated against hepatitis?

It is included in many polyvaccines, so most dogs receive immunity from this disease after routine vaccinations at 2-3 months. Before immunity is developed, it is not recommended to take your dog outside; the period after vaccination, during which walking is not recommended, varies for different vaccines.

Hepatitis is a potentially fatal disease for a puppy, so if the animal is in constant contact with other dogs, it is better to get vaccinated. A dog that has had hepatitis can be a carrier of the infection for a year, so it is very difficult to completely eliminate the risk of a puppy coming into contact with the infection.

You can protect your animal from other forms of hepatitis by ensuring balanced diet, eliminating low-quality food from the diet and not overloading the body with strong medications. If long-term and severe treatment for another disease is necessary, it must be supervised by an experienced veterinarian.

Hepatitis in dogs is very insidious disease, most animals tolerate it relatively easily. But there is always a risk that your pet will fall into the 25% for whom this disease can be fatal, so if the dog is constantly in contact with its own kind, it is better to get a routine vaccination against hepatitis before starting walks and protect yourself and your pet from unnecessary risk.