Chronic Active Hepatitis:
(CAH)
|
This disease is sometimes called chronic canine inflammatory hepatic disease. Chronic active hepatitis is more common in dogs than in cats. It can occur in any breed dog, male or female, and at any age, although most or the pets I see are middle aged or older. The fact that is chronic means that the disease has been going on for weeks or months as opposed to acute hepatitis that comes on abruptly and then ceases. Unfortunately full recovery is more likely after acute hepatitis than subsequent to a chronic condition. The term active means that liver cells are continually becoming inflamed and dying. Continuing inflammation and cell death eventually lead to the replacement of normal liver tissue with scar tissue. This is called cirrhosis. In most cases the exact cause will remain unknown. Certain breeds are predisposed to chronic active hepatitis, these include Bedlington Terriers, Doberman Pinschers, Skye Terriers, Standard Poodles, Cocker Spaniels and West Highland White Terriers. In many of these cases, copper is found in excessive quantities in the dog’s liver. Other diseases that can lead to chronic active hepatitis are infectious canine hepatitis, leptospirosis, autoimmune disease and drug and chemical toxicities. Aflotoxins found in moldy grain – especially corn – can cause this disease. High quality dog foods screen the grains they use for this toxin.
Chronic hepatitis of Doberman Pinschers is a perplexing disease. Some of these cases suggest copper storage disease similar to West Highland and Bedlington Terriers but we are uncertain if excessive copper causes the condition or if the disease simply causes excess copper to be stored in the liver. Female dogs are more commonly affected than males. This disease can occur at any age. Signs include weight loss, diarrhea, jaundice, vomiting and drinking and urinating excessively. Dogs may also be disoriented due to increased blood ammonia and they may bleed excessively due to blood clotting defects. Liver enzymes, bilirubin, blood ammonia and serum bile acids are usually elevated. Ultrasound studies will reveal a shrunken liver. Treatment for this disease includes supportive care, anti-inflammatory drugs and azathioprine and ursodeoxycholic acid. Chances for a long life after this disease has been diagnosed are poor.
|
|