Infectious Hepatitis (Adenovirus)

in Dogs

Overview

Infectious hepatitis is a serious disease also known as

‘canine adenovirus’ or ‘Rubarth’s Disease’.

It affects the liver and other major organs, which causes

a range of symptoms.

Your dog can catch infectious hepatitis from contact with

an infected dog, or somewhere an infected dog has

been.

Young, unvaccinated dogs are most at risk of catching

infectious hepatitis.

Vaccinate your puppy to protect them from infectious

hepatitis.

Vaccinate your dog against infectious hepatitis.

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What is Infectious hepatitis?

Infectious hepatitis is a virus that attacks the liver, blood

vessels, immune system, kidneys, eyes, lungs, and heart - the

more organs that are affected the more serious the symptoms.

Infectious hepatitis spreads in bodily fluids i.e. urine, stools and

saliva. Most dogs catch infectious hepatitis from an infected

dog, or somewhere an infected dog has been.

Vaccination is the best way to prevent infectious hepatitis.

Symptoms

If your dog has caught infectious hepatitis, their symptoms will

vary depending on how severely the virus attacks. A mild case

may only cause mild illness for a few days but a severe case

can cause as a whole range of symptoms. Symptoms include:

Low energy (lethargy)

Pale or yellow gums

Small red dots on gums

Cloudy blue eyes (after infection)

Vomiting (sometimes bloody)

Diarrhoea (sometimes bloody)

Eating less/off food completely

Drinking less

Coughing

High temperature (fever)

A painful/swollen tummy

Unsteadiness/seizures/fits

Sudden death

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When to contact your vet

Contact your vet if you notice any of the symptoms of infectious

hepatitis in your dog, particularly if they are young and

unvaccinated.

You know your dog - if they don’t have the symptoms listed,

but you are still concerned, it’s always best to contact your

vet.

Diagnosis

Your vet may suspect infectious hepatitis if you puppy/dog is

unvaccinated and has the symptoms above. They may want to

take blood samples and/or other samples to make sure.

Treatment

There is no treatment to cure infectious hepatitis virus, instead,

your vet will support your dog to give him/her the best possible

chance of recovery. This often includes hospitalisation, various

medicines, a fluid drip, and sometimes a blood transfusion.

Outlook

A dog with a mild case of infectious hepatitis has a good

chance of surviving if they receive prompt treatment from a vet.

A dog with a more severe infection is much less likely to

survive; sadly, dogs with severe infectious hepatitis often die

quickly or need to be put to sleep to stop them from suffering.

Dogs that survive infectious hepatitis are often a risk to other

dogs because they shed the virus in their urine for 6-9 months

after recovery. The virus can then survive in the environment

for months. This is why vaccination is so important; it protects

your dog from the invisible risks that other dogs can pose.

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Prevention

Vaccination. Vaccinate and stay up to date with boosters to

protect your dog from infectious hepatitis.

Puppy safety. Vaccination has led to infectious hepatitis

becoming much rarer than it used to be, but an unvaccinated

puppy is still at risk. Don’t let your puppy meet other dogs or

walk on the ground in public places until they have had their

puppy injections (your vet will give you specific timings).

Cost

Treatment for infectious hepatitis can become very expensive.

Consider insuring your dog as soon as you get them, before any

signs of illness start. This will ensure you have all the support

you need to care for them.

It’s also very important to speak openly to your vet about your

finances, the cost of treatment, as well as what you think is right

for your dog. There are often several treatment options so if one

doesn’t work for you and your pet then the vet may be able to

offer another.

Published: July 2019

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