Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis in Dogs

HGE

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Updated on September 26, 2024
SUMMARY OF CONTENT
Hemorrhagic gastroenteritis (HGE) is a very serious condition affecting dogs. HGE is characterized by a rapid onset of hemorrhagic (bloody) diarrhea in an otherwise normal, healthy dog. HGE is also widely referred to as acute hemorrhagic diarrhea syndrome (AHDS).
SEVERITY:
Severity is moderate to severe

  • Time to Cure
    Can resolve with prompt and sufficient medical treatment
  • Treatment Icon
    Treatable by a veterinarian, often requires hospitalization
  • Prevention Icon
    Daily probiotics, a high-quality diet and avoiding situations that may be stressful may help prevent HGE, however, the cause is not completely known.
  • Spread Icon
    Transmission is not possible between animals and not possible between animals and humans
  • Lab Icon
    Diagnosis requires physical exam, blood testing

VERY COMMON IN
HGE can affect dogs of any breed, gender or age, however many smaller breeds do seem to be more commonly affected.

Symptoms & Signs

Dogs affected with HGE will often have a sudden onset of profuse, bloody diarrhea with a foul odor. Pet parents may also notice vomiting, decreased appetite, lethargy and abdominal pain. HGE in dogs often occurs very rapidly and can occur without a change in the dog's diet, environment, or routine. A fever with HGE is uncommon. HGE can affect dogs of any breed, gender or age although younger (2-4 year old) toy and miniature breeds appear to be predisposed; stress and hyperactivity in these breeds may play a role in this syndrome.

Diagnosis

Your veterinarian will begin with a physical examination of your pet. If HGE is suspected after the physical examination and history, your veterinarian will draw blood and perform a complete blood count (CBC) and often a chemistry panel to check organ function. If your dog’s CBC shows a total red blood cell level (PCV) of 60% or greater, and has all the clinical signs of HGE, a tentative diagnosis of HGE can be made. Additional diagnostics to diagnose HGE may include radiographs, urinalysis, fecal testing or ultrasound.

Causation

HGE may be the result of a pet becoming stressed. This stress could be due to travel, a change in the environment, or a change in diet. Some pets have more sensitive gastrointestinal tracts and stress can induce changes in the flora of their system. This change can allow bacteria to overgrow. An overgrowth of the bacterium *Clostridium perfringens* and the toxins produced by this organism have been implicated. The actual cause of this syndrome is unproven and unknown.

Treatments

icon AT-HOME CARE
A high quality, gastrointestinal diet can help dogs with HGE recover more rapidly, and may be recommended by your veterinarian. A probiotic may also be recommended by your veterinarian.
icon SUPPORTIVE CARE
Dependent on how severe the HGE is, pets may need to be hospitalized to receive IV fluids to help keep them hydrated while they recover.
icon MEDICATIONS
Antibiotics may be needed to combat a possible *C. perfringens* infection or other bacterial infection. These include antibiotics like metronidazole and amoxicillin. Antiemetics (drugs to decrease vomiting) may be indicated. These include medications like maropitant and famotidine. Depending on severity, your veterinarian may also prescribe a medication to help control pain and discomfort. While many medications are often administered for ‘off-label’ or 'extra-label' use in veterinary medicine, it is important to know that off- or extra- label use of a medication can only be done by a veterinarian when there are no other more appropriate medications for a particular pet's circumstances. Your veterinarian must also know all vitamins, supplements, medications etc. your pet is taking to help avoid complications. You must also be sure to follow all instructions provided by your vet carefully and consult your veterinarian with any questions or concerns if they arise.
icon SPECIALISTS
Your pet may be referred to a veterinary internist for treatment in severe or complicated cases.

Cost Of Treatment

The cost of veterinary treatment can vary widely for various reasons, however, HGE requires immediate attention which can mean a visit to the nearest veterinary ER. Treatment costs can range between $500 and $2000 or more depending on the severity of the condition, size of the patient and whether or not hospitalization is required.

Recovery

The prognosis for dogs with hemorrhagic gastroenteritis is good if this condition is discovered early and the bloody diarrhea is treated aggressively with replacement intravenous fluids and other appropriate supportive care. Left untreated, this condition can result in shock, sepsis, disseminated intravascular coagulation, or death. If your veterinarian advises treatment at home, it is imperative you follow up with them if symptoms worsen or do not improve.

Monitoring

Recheck examinations to monitor your pet’s feces and blood work is important to make sure secondary infection has cleared.

Prevention

Unfortunately as the cause of HGE is unknown, it is speculated that anticipation of stressful events and their effect on your dog may aid in prevention of HGE. If your pet has a sensitive gastrointestinal tract, daily probiotics and avoiding situations that may be stressful for them may help prevent HGE.

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Disclaimer

The information contained on this page is for educational purposes only. This medication should only be given under the advice of a veterinarian who has examined your pet under the laws applicable to your state of residence.