Safeguard your buddy against CIH
Canine Infectious Hepatitis (CIH) is a deadly disease that can affect dogs of any breed. The risk, however, increases manifold if the dog has a compromised immune system. It is a canine adenovirus-induced disease and every dog would be exposed to the virus during its lifetime at least once. It spreads through direct contact with the infected dog. But it can also be transmitted by direct contact with the virus through urine, feces, saliva, bites from mosquitoes, fleas and ticks. The liver, lymphoid system and blood vessel walls are affected.
The symptoms of canine infectious hepatitis may vary from minor to severe like inappetance, fever, pale feces, coughing, ocular and nasal discharge, temporary corneal opacity, abdominal pain, long lasting bouts of diarrhea, abnormal accumulation of fluid in the head and neck, vomiting, and jaundice.
The treatment consists of controlling the secondary illnesses. However, if the disease aggravates, vets may resort to antibiotics and liver treatment.
Unfortunately the virus cannot be eradicated but you can of course safeguard your pooch by vaccinating him at 6 weeks of age, and re-vaccinating every 3-4 weeks until 16 months old. Once he grows up, you should get him vaccinated every year.
Sometimes, the virus may remain in your dog’s system up to a year even after the infection has receded. So, a regular monitoring by the vet is absolutely necessary.
Tags: causes of canine infectious hepatitis, symptoms of canine infectious hepatitis, treatment of canine infectious hepatitis