Hepatitis means inflammation of liver with impaired functioning and progressive damage. No abnormal signs are noted until 80 percent of liver is damaged after which the changes are irreversible and liver will fail to function completely. This disease affects dog over 6 years of age and the breeds which are at risk includes Labrador Retriever, Standard Poodle, Scottish Terrier, Cocker Spaniel, West Highland White Terrier, Bedlington Terrier, Keeshond, Skye Terrier and Doberman Pinscher. 

The factors initiating liver damage are:·       

  • Drugs like anti-inflammatory medications, analgesics, antibiotics, anaesthetics, dewormers, corticosteroids and anticonvulsants.
  • Autoimmune diseases.       
  • Infectious diseases like leptospirosis, infectious canine hepatitis, etc.       
  • Tumorous growth or cysts involving liver.       
  • Toxins.
  • Genetic disease like copper storage disease.
  • Parasites like liver flukes.
  • Idiopathic or unknown causative agent. 

What will you notice?

Signs depend on the extent of damage caused and severity of condition:

§  Vomiting or diarrhoea (may be blood tinged)

§  Weight loss

§  Lethargy and dullness

§  Increased thirst and urination

§  Abdomen looks distended and fluid filled (ascites)

§  Pain in abdomen when touched

§  Yellow tinged eyes, skin, gums, urine and feces (jaundice)

§  Poor body condition

§  Nervous signs like seizures,disorientation, circling and coma in terminal stages 

What will your vet do?

On seeing above mentioned signs take your pet to a vet and he will perform liver function tests, radiography,abdominal ultrasound, complete blood count and other tests like biopsy,laparoscopy, etc. if required. The treatment aims at providing supportive therapy and stopping the progression of disease. Supportive therapy includes fluid therapy, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs and supplements like vitamin B and salts like potassium, etc. 

Apart from this restrict the activity of dog and cage provided until recovery. Also, diet modifications play an important role in curing liver disease so feeding protein and carbohydrate rich and low fat diets with multiple meals throughout the day are advisable. In cases of ascites, diuretics are prescribed to remove the accumulated fluid in the body. In case the condition of dog is serious then hospitalization is recommended by your vet. 

Prognosis:The prognosis is influenced by the clinical signs of disease as well as by the extent of liver damage. In cases of chronic hepatitis above 80 percent of liver damage prognosis is guarded and difficult to cure. But if diagnosed early and treatment started before sufficient damage has occurred the survival of the dog can be prolonged and discomfort caused can be reduced with appropriate treatment although the prognosis is not very good!

Dr. Prachi Kshatriya