[ad_1]
Canine hemorrhagic gastroenteritis sounds scary and it’s scary. If the signs and symptoms are not recognized and aggressive treatment is not taken immediately, a severe and sudden onset can be fatal.
The good news is that most dogs never get it. The bad news is that you don’t have much time if your dog gets it. That’s why it’s important to know what to look out for and what important actions you need to take to save your dog’s life.
What is HGE?
Hemorrhagic gastroenteritis occurs when the lining of the intestine leaks. What happens is fluid, red blood cells and protein leaking from the blood vessels and into the intestines, causing nausea, bloody vomiting and profuse and explosive bleeding from the rectum. Your dog may never get it. They may get it once in a lifetime or it can become a chronic condition.
It is not contagious.
Who gets HGE?
Dogs of all ages, breeds or genders can get it. Toys and smaller breeds, such as dachshunds, Yorkshire terriers, miniature poodles and miniature schnauzers between the ages of 2 and 4, appear to be predominant in treated animals.
What makes this disease so insidious is that the cause is unknown and there is no warning. There are many theories, including diet, bacterial toxin, intestinal parasites, normal or lower blood protein levels, and probably even stress. Studies also show that more seems to happen in the spring.
Signs and symptoms
This disease is severe and progresses rapidly! The symptoms are terrifying! A perfectly healthy dog today can only be conscious in a pool of blood until morning, then in shock for a few hours and dead within 24 hours. It is vital for you to know what to watch.
Symptoms include bloody, often explosive diarrhea, bloody vomiting, and both with an extremely unpleasant odor. Most people who have worked with HGE will agree that comparing it to “raspberry jam” is the best way to describe it.
Other signs and symptoms include flatulence, lethargy, salivation, loss of appetite, dehydration, apathy, depression, shock, and possibly death.
Diagnosis
Your veterinarian will start by removing the most obvious ones. These include parvovirus, obstruction, intestinal intussusception (telescopy of one part of the intestine to another), intestinal volvulus (intestinal torsion), gastrointestinal ulcers, crown virus, colitis, poison, hookworms, whip, leptospirosis, giardiasis, low platelet coccidiosis, malabsorption and cancer.
They will also note the lack of temperature and the lack of reduction in white blood cells, as well as normal or lower levels of protein in the blood. Dogs with HGE usually have a high cell volume (PCV), usually 60% or more (normal is 35-55%). PCV is a measure of blood thickness caused by dehydration.
Treatment
Your veterinarian will ask you if you prefer conservative or aggressive treatment. Don’t waste time with conservative treatment. Insist on aggressive treatment. Your dog will stay in the hospital without food or mouthwash for 1-4 days. It also includes IV treatments with potassium, anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics to rehydrate, prevent shock and prevent sepsis.
Your veterinarian may also change the protein in your diet. This means that if you have been on a diet with a predominance of beef, it can be replaced by chicken and / or lamb and possibly cottage cheese.
Forecast
Your dog’s chance of survival is very good if identified early and treated aggressively. Keep in mind that approximately 10-15% are at risk for more than one episode.
After all, canine hemorrhagic gastroenteritis can be fatal. Know the signs and symptoms and take immediate and aggressive action. It could be the difference between life and death.
[ad_2]
Source by Karen Soukiasian