Canine Adenovirus (also known as Infectious Canine Hepatitis or ICH) is a virus which causes inflammation of the liver.
Does it affect other animals or people?
Other members of the dog family, foxes for example, can be infected, but ICH virus is harmless to people.
The canine adenovirus is present in the urine or in the nose and eye discharges of infected animals. The virus is transmitted by direct contact with these infected materials. Young dogs are at highest risk, and signs of disease usually occur within two to five days after exposure to ICH; however, the incubation period can be as long as 14 days. In older dogs some ICH infections may go unnoticed or be mild.
What are the clinical signs?
In the mild form, the dog may merely have a decreased appetite, appear depressed, and have a fever. Some of these cases develop opacity of one or both corneas of their eyes (called ‘Blue Eye’) one to two weeks later.
Some dogs have respiratory signs such as eye and nose discharge and cough that are indistinguishable from other forms of upper respiratory tract infections or kennel cough.
In severe cases (usually puppies) there may be abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, puffy edema (subcutaneous fluid swelling) of the head and neck, and possible jaundice. Such cases are often fatal.
What is the treatment?
As with most viral infections there is no specific treatment. Antibiotics are ineffective against viruses. Treatment is aimed at reducing symptoms and giving time for the dog’s immune system to respond. This includes rest, intravenous fluids, and medication to reduce the severe symptoms.
What about vaccination?
The best method of protecting your dog against canine adenovirus is proper vaccination. All puppies receive a series of vaccinations 3-4 weeks apart (starting at 6-8 weeks of age). These vaccination boosters are typically administered as part of a DAP (distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus) combination vaccine. After the initial series of vaccinations, your veterinarian will discuss with you an appropriate schedule of revaccination.