Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver. In dogs the important form is chronic hepatitis (CH), a slowly progressive disease in which ongoing hepatocyte death, inflammation and fibrosis can end in cirrhosis and liver failure. The best-defined cause is copper accumulation, which is treatable, but most cases remain idiopathic; acute viral hepatitis from canine adenovirus 1 is now rare where dogs are vaccinated.
Key facts
Hepatitis at a glance- Species and system: dog; liver (hepatobiliary system).
- Definition: lymphocytic, plasmacytic or granulomatous inflammation with hepatocyte death, regeneration and fibrosis; fibrosis marks chronicity, and cirrhosis is the end stage.
- Causes: mostly idiopathic (some presumed immune-mediated); copper accumulation is the most common toxic cause; drugs (phenobarbital, primidone, phenytoin, lomustine) and infections (leptospirosis, leishmaniasis) are less common.
- Predisposed breeds: Bedlington Terrier, Labrador Retriever, Doberman Pinscher, Dalmatian, West Highland White Terrier, American and English Cocker Spaniels, English Springer Spaniel.
- Classic presentation: middle-aged dog (mean about 7 years) with vague inappetence and lethargy, or no signs and a persistently increased ALT; icterus and ascites appear late.
- Diagnosis: liver biopsy with histopathology, copper staining and copper quantification.
- Infectious canine hepatitis (CAV-1): acute, not zoonotic; prevented by core CAV-2 vaccination.
What's inside
12 sections in the full guide- Key facts
- How the NAVLE tests this
- Cause and pathophysiology
- Clinical signs
- Diagnosis
- Differential diagnoses
- Treatment and management
- Prevention, control and public health
- Prognosis
- Quick review
- Test yourself
- References
The full guide also has 8 tables, 3 figures, 3 self-test questions and 5 references, available to NAVLE members.
Read the full study guide
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