Chronic Active Hepatitis in Dogs
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Dr. Pippa Elliott BVMS, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr Pippa Elliott BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in companion animal practice. In 1987 she graduated from the University of Glasgow, with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She works at Blythwood Vets and the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA). Pippa is an advocate of Fear-Free Practice, an animal addict, and a veterinary writer. She is also w...
Veterinarian
UPDATED: Jan 8, 2024
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We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about pet insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything pet insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by pet insurance experts.
UPDATED: Jan 8, 2024
Pet Insurance U receives compensation from the third parties included on this site. This includes payment for clicks from our site to insurance providers’ sites and quote requests generated. Our rankings and reviews are not affected by payments from the insurance companies. The compensation we receive allows the site to be free and regularly updated. Our goal is to review every pet insurance provider, but not all companies are listed on the site.
And many of the companies we review do not pay us anything. We simply rate, compare and review their plan because we feel it will be valuable to you. Our reviews are guaranteed to be unbiased, professional and advertising compensation does not influence rankings.
On This Page
Chronic active hepatitis (CAH) is a medical condition that is a result of the ongoing inflammation and scarring of the liver that eventually leads to a decrease in liver function. If the liver has been inflamed for over six weeks, then the diagnosis is typically chronic active hepatitis.
The causes of CAH in dogs usually include immune-mediated diseases, leptospirosis, and infectious canine hepatitis.
In fact, sometimes no cause can be found and it is merely inherent in certain breeds.
What Are The Symptoms of Chronic Active Hepatitis In Dogs?
- No symptoms in the earliest stages
- Increased urination and thirst
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhea and vomiting
- Fluid retention in the abdomen
- Jaundice
- Altered behaviors
- Abnormal bleeding
- Weight loss
- Jaundice
- Neurological symptoms
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What Causes Chronic Active Hepatitis In Dogs?
The most common causes of Chronic Active Hepatitis in a dog are the following:
- Infections
- Toxins
- Scarring of the liver
- An abundance of copper
- Autoimmune Disease
- Genetics
There are many cases of CAH in dogs that don’t have an actual inciting cause which is why it’s very difficult to diagnose.
Dog Breeds That Are Pre-Disposed to Chronic Active Hepatitis
The following breeds have a genetic predisposition for inflammation of the liver:
- White Terriers
- Cocker Spaniels
- Skye Terriers
- Bedlington Terriers
- Doberman Pinschers
- Labrador Retrievers
Related: 10 Things You Must Know Before You Buy Pet Insurance
Diagnosis of Chronic Active Hepatitis
The diagnosis of CAH can be difficult to pinpoint because there are many infections that can affect the liver.
Blood work is usually taken by your vet to look of an infectious disease that might affect the liver.
A liver biopsy is conducted which is typical of any disease affecting the liver and is the best test to diagnose the condition as chronic active hepatitis.
Ultrasounds, urinalysis, and X-rays are sometimes taken as well.
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Treatment for Chronic Active Hepatitis In Dogs
Your vet will treat the CAH by identifying the cause and addressing the best supportive treatment.
If an infection was identified, then antibiotics are usually prescribed.
If the cause is just merely inflammation and no specific trigger, then your vet will prescribe medications that can help support the liver and reverse the damage.
Prednisone, azathioprine, and cyclosporine are sometimes given depending on the cause and other drugs that support liver function are also prescribed.
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Drugs to help reverse the complications of CAH, such as abdominal fluid accumulations, blood clotting, and gastrointestinal ulcers might also be needed.
Your dog’s diet is equally important in treating chronic active hepatitis.
A low protein, high-calorie diet can help with is often recommended as well as vitamins.
Because weight loss can occur with ACH, it is important to find a high-quality nutritious food that your dog will eat that is lower in protein.
Your vet can give you some recommendations for the best food for your pup.
Does Pet Insurance Cover Chronic Active Hepatitis?
Pet insurance can help cover most of the costs that are related to Chronic Active Hepatitis.
Just the diagnosis alone can range anywhere from $600 to $3,000.
And the treatment can be very expensive if your dog needs to be hospitalized.
With some cases, if the liver damage is severe, the cost can be upwards of $7,500 since the drugs are very expensive and it can take years to correct the damage.
If you have enrolled your dog in a pet insurance policy, like Healthy Paws, up to 90% of these costs will be covered and that will be a relief to you financially. And, you can get your dog the best care possible.
As with any condition or illness, your dog must be enrolled prior to the chronic active hepatitis being diagnosed so it is not considered pre-existing.
Prevention of Chronic Active Hepatitis
Because the liver is so resilient, when the disease is caught early enough it can often be managed and result in a long, quality life.
The best way to prevent pets to any sort of liver damage is to vaccinate against any infectious diseases that might cause the liver to swell.
Any drugs that your dog might be taking that could cause liver damage should also be monitored.
Any breeds that are pre-disposed to Chronic Active Hepatitis and have the disease should be discouraged from breeding.
The best pet insurance plans can help cover the expensive treatment and diagnosis for Chronic Active Hepatitis or any other condition that your dog might encounter as long as you insure your prior to any disease occurs.
If you want to learn more about the different health issues that might occur in your dog, our dog health glossary is a great place to start!
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chronic Active Hepatitis (CAH) in dogs?
Chronic Active Hepatitis is a medical condition in dogs characterized by ongoing inflammation and scarring of the liver, leading to a decrease in liver function. If the liver has been inflamed for over six weeks, it is typically diagnosed as chronic active hepatitis.
What are the common causes of Chronic Active Hepatitis in dogs?
The causes of CAH in dogs usually include immune-mediated diseases, leptospirosis, and infectious canine hepatitis. In some cases, the cause remains unknown, and it may be inherent in certain breeds.
What are the symptoms of Chronic Active Hepatitis in dogs?
Symptoms may include lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, weight loss, increased thirst, and abdominal pain. Early diagnosis is crucial for effective management.
How is Chronic Active Hepatitis diagnosed in dogs?
Diagnosis involves blood work to identify infectious diseases affecting the liver, a liver biopsy, and sometimes ultrasounds, urinalysis, and X-rays.
What breeds are predisposed to Chronic Active Hepatitis?
Breeds with a genetic predisposition for inflammation of the liver include Cocker Spaniels, Doberman Pinschers, and Labrador Retrievers.
How is Chronic Active Hepatitis treated in dogs?
Treatment involves addressing the underlying cause. If an infection is identified, antibiotics may be prescribed. Medications supporting the liver and reversing damage, such as prednisone and cyclosporine, may also be used.
Does pet insurance cover Chronic Active Hepatitis in dogs?
Yes, pet insurance can help cover most costs related to Chronic Active Hepatitis, including diagnosis and treatment. Enrolling your dog in a pet insurance policy prior to diagnosis is essential.
How can pet insurance help with the costs of Chronic Active Hepatitis?
Pet insurance can cover up to 90% of vet bills related to CAH, providing financial relief for expensive treatments, hospitalizations, and medications.
Can pet insurance be obtained after a diagnosis of Chronic Active Hepatitis?
No, to ensure coverage, pet insurance must be obtained before the diagnosis of Chronic Active Hepatitis, as pre-existing conditions are typically not covered.
How can CAH in dogs be prevented?
Preventive measures include vaccinating against infectious diseases that may cause liver swelling, monitoring medications for potential liver damage, and discouraging breeding in predisposed breeds with CAH.
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Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Dr. Pippa Elliott BVMS, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr Pippa Elliott BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in companion animal practice. In 1987 she graduated from the University of Glasgow, with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She works at Blythwood Vets and the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA). Pippa is an advocate of Fear-Free Practice, an animal addict, and a veterinary writer. She is also w...
Veterinarian
We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about pet insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything pet insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by pet insurance experts.