Published on Jan 4, 2026

Infectious Canine Hepatitis (HCC)

Infectious Canine Hepatitis is a severe viral disease caused by the Canine Adenovirus Type 1 (CAV-1). It primarily targets the liver, but can also cause significant damage to the kidneys, lungs, and blood vessels. While widespread vaccination has made it less common in many regions, it remains a dangerous threat to unvaccinated dogs and puppies.

1. How is it Transmitted?

The virus is highly resilient and is spread through direct contact with the saliva, feces, or urine of infected animals. A critical factor in its spread is that recovered dogs can shed the virus in their urine for up to six months, posing a long-term risk to other dogs in the community.

2. Common Symptoms

The clinical signs can range from mild fever to sudden death. Key symptoms include:

Acute Stage: High fever, lethargy, and a complete loss of appetite.
Liver Involvement: Vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain (often characterized by a "hunched up" posture).
"Blue Eye": A distinctive symptom where the cornea of one or both eyes develops a milky-blue cloudiness (edema). This usually appears as the dog begins to recover.
Clotting Issues: Spontaneous bleeding, such as small red spots (petechiae) on the gums or bruising on the skin.

3. Diagnosis and Treatment

Diagnosis: Veterinarians look for specific changes in blood work (elevated liver enzymes and low white blood cell counts) and confirm the virus via PCR testing.
Treatment: There is no specific cure for the virus itself. Treatment is supportive, involving IV fluids to maintain hydration, medications to control vomiting, and supplements to support liver regeneration.
Prognosis: For young puppies, the disease is often "peracute," meaning it progresses so quickly that death can occur within hours of the first symptoms.

4. Prevention: The "H" in the Vaccine

The most effective way to prevent HCC is through vaccination.

Core Vaccine: Protection against Hepatitis is part of the standard "DHPP" or "DA2PP" combination shot.
It is usually indicated by the letter "H" (or sometimes "A2" for Adenovirus Type 2, which cross-protects) in a dog's vaccination record.