Viral hepatitis is transmitted through urine, feces, saliva from infected animals or simply by contact with infected materials and tools due to the considerable resistance of the virus.
Some animals that have recovered from this disease can spread the virus for up to six months after infection.
The virus enters the animal through the oral cavity where it is localized; from here through the blood it reaches the liver and kidneys, so that urine and feces are infected.
The hyperacute form occurs in puppies where death often occurs without warning signs.
When symptoms appear, the first is fever up to 40 ° C, apathy, anorexia, thirst, conjunctivitis, nasal and ocular discharge and sometimes abdominal pain. People who overcome the disease struggle to regain weight and may have corneal opacification which then disappears.
Treatment and prevention
Therapy varies according to the severity of the disease.
As with all viral infections, supportive care is prescribed along with drugs to prevent secondary infections.
There are specific vaccines for viral hepatitis and vaccination is possible from 2 months of age with an annual booster.
