Bichon Frise (detailed introduction)

Bichon dogs can sometimes contract infectious hepatitis, especially Bichon puppies under one year old, when the mortality rate is higher.

Carrier dogs are the source of infectious hepatitis virus. This virus has a strong resistance, can survive for a long time under low temperature conditions, remains pathogenic in soil for 10–14 days, and can also survive a long time in kennels.

Below, the dog disease section introduces the key points for diagnosis and preventive measures of infectious hepatitis in Bichon Frise.

1. Clinical Symptoms of Infectious Hepatitis in Bichon Frise: 

Although infectious hepatitis in dogs can occur in any season, it occurs more often in winter, and the infection rate is higher in Bichon puppies under one year. 1. The clinical features of infectious hepatitis initially resemble canine distemper. The dog appears depressed, loses appetite, shows increased thirst, even placing both front paws into water while drinking excessively, which is characteristic of this disease.

2. Then the Bichon’s body temperature rises above 40°C and lasts for 4-6 days. Vomiting and diarrhea are common; if blood is present in vomit and stool, the prognosis is poor. Most affected dogs have tenderness around the xiphoid cartilage. After acute symptoms disappear for 7–10 days, some dogs experience corneal opacities, which disappear within several days. The gums may show bleeding points.

3. Although the disease is called hepatitis, jaundice rarely appears. If there is no secondary infection, recovery often occurs within a few days.

2. Treatment and Preventive Measures for Infectious Hepatitis in Bichon Frise:

1. Isolate sick dogs early and treat with hyperimmune serum or adult dog serum once daily, 10-30 ml each time. In addition, inject 50% glucose solution intravenously daily at 20-40 ml, vitamin C 250 mg or adenosine triphosphate 15-20 mg for 3-5 consecutive days. Oral Hepatiale tablets. Control water intake, feeding 5% glucose saline every 2-3 hours.

2. Preventive vaccination. Use the canine pentavalent attenuated vaccine (rabies, distemper, parainfluenza, infectious hepatitis, parvovirus enteritis) and the canine hepatitis and enteritis bivalent vaccine.

For dogs aged 30-90 days, vaccinate 3 times; for dogs older than 90 days, vaccinate twice, with 2-4 weeks interval each time. Dosage per injection: 2 ml for pentavalent vaccine, 1 ml for bivalent vaccine, providing 1 year of immunity.

3. Keep kennel hygiene well, breed and raise dogs independently, and strictly prohibit cohabitation with other dogs.