DISEASES :iFFECTIJ^G 



THE 



SOLI& OBG;^JVS OF THE ^BlDOMEJV. 



^CVTE HE'PATITIS. 



Of the diseases of the solid abdominal organs, the greater number and 

 the more Important are situated In the liver. Inflammation of this struct- 

 ure is termed hepatitis and maybe either acute or chronic. These two 

 forms claim' separate consideration. 



Acute hepatitis is an afTection rarely seen among dogs in the colder 

 climates. It is reported that the disease is not Infrequent in the tropics ; 

 the course it mns there Is however somewhat different, it being cir- 

 cumscribed and confined to a part of the organs, while here the Inflam- 

 mation generally acts upon the whole or gi'eater part of the structure. 



Causation . — Acute hepatitis in the cold climate is probably more often 

 induced traumatically, by such influences as kicks and blows. 



Various causes have been assigned by different writers, such as excess- 

 ive use of purgatives, emetics, and exposure to cold and wet. The 

 disease has been often known to follow severe cases of dysentery. Gastric 

 Inflammation may be the exciting cause, by interfering with the circula- 

 tion in the liver. Acute hepatitis may be associated with other diseases, 

 such as pneumonia, pleurisy and distemper. i 

 The existlngcauses In manyinstances must be problematical; the subject 

 requires much light before the direct influences can be determined. 



Symptoms. — At times the symptoms are vague, and point to other 

 organs rather than to the liver as the seat of the disease. Persistent vom- 

 iting may mislead and acute gastritis be suspected. 



The attack is very often ushered in by a chill as shown by shivering, 

 but this symptom is liable to be overlooked. The manner of the dog 

 changes materially soon after the invasion of the disease, becoming dull 

 and listless. His appetite usually at once disappears, and he manifests 



