Canine Chronic Hepatitis: Overview - The Merck Veterinary Manual

Canine Chronic Hepatitis: Overview

Chronic hepatitis is more common in dogs than in cats. Several breeds are predisposed, including Bedlington Terriers, Cocker Spaniels, Doberman Pinschers, Skye Terriers, Standard Poodles, and West Highland White Terriers. Although there is an identifiable etiology for some categories of chronic hepatitis, in most cases the cause is unknown. Copper accumulation is found in a number of cases of chronic hepatitis. Other associated conditions are infectious canine hepatitis, acidophil hepatitis, leptospirosis, and drug toxicities. Terminology that reflects specific etiology or breed predilection, such as drug-induced chronic hepatitis, infectious chronic hepatitis, copper-associated chronic hepatitis of Bedlington Terriers, etc, is preferred. The term idiopathic chronic hepatitis is used when etiology cannot be determined. Histopathologic changes are similar in all cases of chronic hepatitis, regardless of the underlying cause, and include lymphocytic-plasmacytic inflammation, piecemeal necrosis, and in severe cases, bridging necrosis.