Recent research has revealed the first firm evidence for what may cause chronic hepatitis, a progressive and potentially fatal condition that affects many dogs. The cause of chronic hepatitis, for example, an inherited defect, a drug-related reaction or an infection, is identified in relatively few cases.
Most cases are idiopathic - the cause remains unknown.
For years, researchers suspected an underlying autoimmune disorder, that is, the body's immune system attacks its own liver cells. A recent study identified a group of dogs with chronic hepatitis that has specific antibodies against the liver. This is the first definitive evidence that supports the autoimmune theory. If reliable tests for autoimmune hepatitis can be designed then treatment, monitoring and predicting a prognosis may be more specific and more accurate, and therefore, more successful. Symptoms of chronic hepatitis range from none to weight loss, anorexia, lethargy, jaundice and death.