Most dogs will have an episode of diarrhoea and/or vomiting at one point or another in their life. Frequently puppies develop some form of diarrhoea because they love eating everything they are not supposed to, and this upsets their digestive system. Hemorrhagic gastroenteritis is a more severe diarrhoea as the lining of the gastrointestinal tract is affected and blood is seen in the stool.
“A clinical syndrome in dogs, characterized by the acute onset of bloody diarrhoea and vomiting, is well known to veterinary practitioners. Over the last 40 years, allergic, hereditary, autoimmune, and infectious disorders have been proposed as cause for this syndrome. However, the exact pathogenesis remains unknown.” Says Dr. Unterer and colleagues in their research paper titled: Endoscopically visualized lesions, histologic findings, and bacterial invasion in the gastrointestinal mucosa of dogs with acute haemorrhagic diarrhoea syndrome.
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Content:
- Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis Symptoms
- What Causes Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis in Dogs
- How to Treat Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis in Dogs
- Conclusion
Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis Symptoms
It can be very scary to see bloody diarrhoea coming from your dog and it can be very painful for them. You need to know what to look out for if you suspect that your pooch has HGE, and not just an upset stomach:
- Frequent bowel movements that are soft
- Bright red blood in stool indicating the gastrointestinal lining is bleeding or dark brown blood in stool indicative of digested blood
- Strawberry jam looking stools
- Lethargy and dehydration
- Painful abdomen
- Decrease in/or no appetite
Investing in a pet camera to check in on your pet while you are at work is worthwhile. If they seem off before you leave you can check in and see if there have been any ‘accidents’ in the home that are a cause for concern and may require veterinary attention.
What Causes Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis in Dogs
Many years of research has been put in to determine the cause of HGE with no definitive answer yet. There are many possible contributing factors, such as:
- Bacterial overgrowth in gastrointestinal tract
- Immune mediated disease
- Dietary problems (not feeding a high-quality diet, eating foreign objects or foods)
- Infectious diseases, for example parvovirus
- Pancreatitis
- Toxin ingestion
"Diagnosis is often a process of eliminating other causes of bloody stools and gastrointestinal distress." Says Dr. M Weir.
How to Treat Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis in Dogs
Hemorrhagic gastroenteritis is treated according to severity. If mild or caught early on, then outpatient treatment may be done. This could entail a stool binder, electrolytes, probiotics and, depending on suspected cause and severity, antibiotics.
If severe: hospitalisation, blood tests, fluid replacement therapy (drip) and medication will be necessary. In times like this it is recommended to have an Emergency Fund as treatment costs add up fast. The cause is mostly unknown and therefore multiple tests may need to be performed to rule out other possible problems such as foreign bodies, pancreatitis and organ failure.
When your dog has diarrhoea, they lose more fluids and electrolytes than what is considered normal. If the diarrhoea is severe your veterinarian will want to hospitalise your dog as soon as possible and place a supportive drip to replace any fluids being lost and prevent dehydration. Electrolytes, soft bland food and something to help bind the stool may be given by the veterinarian with necessary medication.
If left untreated in severe cases dogs can die from HGE.
“Severely affected dogs may have signs of dehydration and shock such as tachycardia, tachypnoea, prolonged capillary refill time, hypothermia, and dry mucous membranes. Mildly affected dogs may have less dramatic signs.” Says Dr. Mansfield.
Conclusion
If your pooch has any form of diarrhoea more than once in a day it is recommended to take them in for a check-up with your local veterinarian. It is always better to catch these problems early and keep your dog’s tail wagging.
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