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Infectious Canine Hepatitis (Rubarth's Disease) Caused by canine adenovirus type 1. Mostly occurs in unvaccinated dogs less than 6 months old, although older unvaccinated animals are still at risk. Infection is spread by contact with the virus through the urine, faeces, or saliva of an infected animal. After infection the virus damages the lymphoid system, the liver, and the blood vessel walls. The immune response of most dogs will eliminate the virus at this stage, in those that do not liver disease develops causing acute liver failure and jaundice. Widespread bleeding can occur due to blood vessel damage and is worsened by the inability of the liver to produce the proteins which enable the blood to clot . The virus will also damage the kidney, intestine, salivary glands, and the eye which develops into corneal oedema in the recovering animal. Corneal oedema is a build up of fluid occurring due to cell breakdown and the subsequent immune reaction, it causes a 'blue eye' appearance in one or both eyes. Mild forms produce slight lethargy, anorexia, transient temperature rise, and then recover. Severe forms develop an acute illness (occasionally sudden death), become dull, inappetant, swollen glands, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and often have an enlarged liver. Affected animals can be in a state of shock, possibly develop areas of bleeding under the skin. Death if it occurs is often preceded by seizures, coma, and intense jaundice. Diagnosis can be confirmed by post mortem examination of a dead animal. In the live recovering animal blood samples taken 2 weeks apart after recent infection will show an antibody rise. Mild cases respond well with minimal treatment , severe cases need aggressive intravenous fluid therapy and drugs to deal with liver failure. If bleeding problems become severe then blood transfusions are an option. |
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