Furthermore, the organ facilitates the proper storage of vitamins and minerals , not to mention the improved functioning of the digestive system . Among other things, the liver removes toxic substances and is able to produce a series of essential substances that enable blood clotting.
According to some studies, however, the dog 's liver performs more than 1000 functions in the body, a truly impressive number. This means it's important to avoid diseases that weaken the liver, particularly infectious hepatitis . It seems to have disappeared thanks to vaccines , but cases still occur, and it's best to delve deeper into every aspect of this disease.
The different types of hepatitis
Common hepatitis . This is the easiest to diagnose, because, much like the human liver, a dog's liver can react negatively to excessive medication. The organ becomes inflamed, especially if it comes into contact with toxic substances . Treatment options are limited because symptoms appear only when the disease is advanced.
Autoimmune hepatitis . Unlike the previous type, it is not caused by external agents, but by a defect within the dog's immune system . The immune system is unable to correctly read liver cells, which are actually considered harmful agents, and therefore works to destroy them.
Canine viral hepatitis . Also known as canine infectious hepatitis or Rubarth's disease , it is caused by a virus that affects dogs and foxes and is transmitted through contact with the saliva or feces of infected animals. This strong, resistant, and extremely contagious virus can, in extreme cases, cause the dog's death.
Hepatitis is named after its discoverer. After years of study and observation, Swedish veterinarian Sven Rubarth developed a theory in 1947, which he later presented in his doctoral thesis . The viral disease, which he called contagious hepatitis canis (HCC), was widespread worldwide and primarily affected puppies and young dogs.
The cause was a virus called adenovirus , which is transmitted through infected bodily fluids the individual comes into contact with through the digestive or respiratory tract. Stray dogs and bloodhounds , in particular , are particularly at risk of contracting this virus because they spend hours outdoors, making it extremely easy to "encounter" this type of virus.
Thanks to laboratory studies, the veterinarian not only discovered the virus but also managed to isolate it , which he then included in the vaccine that was administered to all dogs from that moment on.
Symptoms of Rubarth's Hepatitis
Initially, the dog exhibits significant hyperthermia , leading to an increase in body temperature. This may be due to excessive internal heat production and the dog's inability to dissipate heat properly. While normal body temperature ranges from 38°C to 39°C, it suddenly increases significantly.
This is followed by a significant loss of appetite , leading the hound to a sort of anorexia , followed by significant general weakness . These symptoms are followed by others that should absolutely not be underestimated.
Soon, the dog will suffer from vomiting, diarrhea, and an enlarged and painful liver. In addition to the internal organs, the disease also affects other parts of the body. Our four-legged friend develops corneal edema with uveitis , or inflammation of the anterior chamber of the eye.
The disease peaks when the blood's ability to clot is impaired . While older dogs respond favorably and have a high life expectancy, younger dogs experience sudden death from CC collapse.
How to treat the disease
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After a thorough examination, the veterinarian will prescribe the right medications . The best medications in this case are those that target and control the immune system . Among the most common are immunomodulators, which protect the liver from damage.
Additionally, your veterinarian may prescribe anti-inflammatories and antibiotics to combat secondary infections. This is because the virus tends not to completely disappear, so it's important to monitor any symptoms.
To ensure our four-legged friend recovers and overcomes the illness as best as possible, medications and veterinary care must be accompanied by a special diet designed for the liver and therefore low in protein. This diet should also include healthy habits such as outdoor walks and rest.
Prevention
To prevent viral hepatitis, the best solution is vaccination . This applies to both puppies and adult dogs. The virus is transmitted through urine and remains active for up to a year after recovery. Furthermore, once spread in the environment, the virus can survive for up to two weeks, with the risk of infecting dogs that come into contact with infected material.
