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Dogs and the Hepa Virus

2016/5/4 10:25:25

Hepatitis, which is a sort of disease of the liver caused by a viral infection, does not only happen to humans but to canines as well. The virus that causes it in dogs is called the CAV-1 virus and it only affects dogs not humans. Getting into contact with an affected dog will not put the owner at risk.

The CAV-1 virus behaves just like other common viruses. It stays in the lymph nodes where it replicates itself and then goes right into the bloodstream. After that, it will affect various organs, such as the eyes, the liver and the kidneys. Although it is a serious disease, not all instances of a CAV-1 infection will be a major cause of concern. Some dogs do not even display symptoms after acquiring the disease. It is different when it comes to puppies though. In most instances, puppies become seriously ill when infected with the virus.

There is no known cure yet that can destroy the CAV-1 virus after a dog becomes infected. There is a vaccine for it, however, so you can help your puppy avoid this infection through a series of vaccinations. Since the introduction of the vaccine, there had been a great decrease in the number of dogs affected by canine hepatitis.

Not all types of canine hepatitis originate from the CAV-1 virus. Some, have unknown origins and are called idiopathic or periportal hepatitis. These types of hepatitis affect dogs from five to six years old.

The symptoms for all these types of hepatitis infection are generally the same. It includes weakness, diarrhea, jaundice, vomiting, weight loss and depression. Since this disease is incurable, the best that your vet can do is to provide some treatment for the symptoms. Sometimes antibiotics are also given to prevent any secondary infection that may arise from the hepatitis.

Treatments are applied to the symptoms so that the dog will be able to carry the disease more comfortably. After contracting the CAV-1 type of hepatitis, however, the dog will become immune to this disease all his life, which is the better side of it. The rate for survival is high for adult dogs but younger dogs may not be so lucky.

There are some breeds of dogs that may never be cured from chronic hepatitis though. Examples of these are the Doberman Pinschers and some terriers. There is yet no cure for this type of disease and they may need to carry this disease for the rest of their lives.

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