Hepatitis Research Paper

The GOOD NEWS is that the number one protection for your pet to prevent distemper is vaccination.

HEPATITIS

H is for Hepatitis

Canine Infectious Hepatitis is caused by a virus known as an adeno (add-en-oh) virus—type 1, to be more specific: CAV-1 (canine adeno virus type 1).

Canine Hepatitis virus magnified

Hepatitis is spread from pet to pet by contact with infected feces, urine, blood, saliva, and nasal discharge. Dogs may also be infected by wolves and coyotes. Hepatitis affects the liver and can also spread to the brain.

If a pet is infected with this virus, they may become

1. depressed

2. stop eating

3. cough

4. have a tender belly

5. have blood in their stool

6. become “yellow” (jaundiced) when

All dogs are at risk.

Owners should always take care if working with water or urine potentially contaminated with Leptospirosis.

Wearing gloves and boots is helpful in protecting oneself.

YES! Vaccine is available and is the best way to protect pets.

KENNEL COUGH (PARAINFLUENZA)

P is for Parainfluenza. (pair-ah-in- flu-en-zah).

Parainfluenza is caused by a virus resulting in a respiratory infection—a bronchitis.

Parainfluenza virus magnified

Parainfluenza is a fancy word for a cold- or flu-like disease in dogs. It is also known as kennel cough, because pets kenneled together have a higher chance of spreading this to each other with breathing air in close quarters and barking—which spreads this airborne disease.

This virus is very contagious—which means dogs transfer it to other dogs very easily by contact or breathing the air of infected dogs.

Signs of parainfluenza include:

1. cough

2. fever

3. difficulty breathing

4. wheezing

5. sneezing

6. runny eyes

7. possibly conjunctivitis—infection around the eyes and eyelids

8. If left untreated, it may progress to pneumonia, with depression and lack of appetite—this may lead to the loss of a