Infectious hepatitis in dogs (state of the problem)

The paper contains data regarding current state of research and author opinion on realization of diagnostics and therapy improvement in case of infectious hepatitis in dogs based on the form of the disease. A study of worldwide practice and a summary of personal experience of the aspects of clinical manifestation, diagnostics and treatment methods for canine hepatitis have been performed. According to our research canine infectious hepatitis in Sumy region is usually found in dogs at 1-3 (44%) years of age, less of ten at 5-8 (28%) years. The quantity of cases at 3-8 y.o. is 17% and in animals younger than 1 year – 11%. After being introduced into the body, the virus replicates in the regional lymph nodes then appears in the blood (viremia), after 2-3 days it forms masses of core inclusions (Rubart's bodies) – big, round, acidophilic masses in capillary and vein endothelium in all the organs, especially liver and spleen. As a result liver dystrophy occurs and general body intoxication follows. Further development of the process results in renal and myocardial dystrophy,appearance of multiple blood effusions on mucous and serous membranes. After the neural centers of the brain and spine are being affected the locomotion disorders are observed.At the stage of acute clinical signs the virus is present in blood and all the exudates, while being observed only in kidneys and urine later. The incubation period of spontaneous hepatitis lasts about 6 to 9 days. Currently there are some cases of an acute and peracute course but chronic and latent courses are prevalent. The organ lesions depend on the severity and course of the disease. Infectious hepatitis is being diagnosed based on epizootological, clinical, pathological and laboratory study data as well as virological research and biological test. Use of a treatment regimen including polyvalent serum, anfluron, cobactan, difeniramine, metoclopramide, furosemide, hepavikel, and crystalline IV solutions allowed shorteningofthe treatment period in comparison to average.