Canine Hepatitis Symptoms: Abdomen Distension

The distended abdomen caused by canine hepatitis is due to the loss of body proteins caused by liver damage, mainly albumin loss. Severe albumin loss can lead to generalized edema, and the fluid within the intestines and abdominal wall cells will leak into the abdominal cavity, causing ascites. This makes the abdomen appear swollen. Severe ascites can lead to peritonitis and even death.

Early Symptoms of Hepatitis

The early symptoms of canine hepatitis are reduced or even absent appetite, lethargy, and yellow urine. This gradually develops into yellowing of the mucous membranes and then the entire body. During this process, the dog may have a high fever, which is caused by liver cell necrosis, liver dysfunction, reduced detoxification and excretion function, or viralemia.

Can Hepatitis Be Cured?

Canine hepatitis can be cured, and early detection, diagnosis, and treatment can improve the survival rate of dogs with hepatitis. There are many causes of canine hepatitis, including poisoning, infection, and tumors, and some causes are undetermined. In dogs under one year old, the most common cause of hepatitis is adenovirus infection, which causes not only hepatitis symptoms but also characteristic blue eye changes.

Treatments for Hepatitis

Treatment involves protecting the liver and detoxifying. Daily intravenous infusion of glucose and amino acids is given for several days. B vitamins and vitamin C are taken orally daily. symptomatic treatment is applied; if it is a bacterial infection, appropriate antibacterials are selected based on sensitivity tests. If it is toxic, detoxification is given. If it is a parasitic infection, antiparasitic agents are administered.