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  • Project Breathe

    Project Breathe is an international initiative started by Invisible Fence Brand with the goal of equipping all first responding emergency units throughout Canada, the US and the UK with specially designed pet oxygen masks.

    Caledon Mountain Veterinary Hospital would like to raise awa... Read More

  • Project Pet Slimdown

    Project Pet Slimdown is a weight loss program designed for your cat/dog to help them lose weight.  By losing weight they can lead a happier, healthier and longer life.  Each pet will get their own individual program designed for them because, as we know, every pet is dif... Read More

  • New reception email address

    Effective immediately the new email address to contact our reception desk is:

    cmvhreception@gmail.com

     Please make the appropriate changes to your contact lists.  Thank you.

    Read More

  • Help Dr. Juan Elduayen

    Juan Elduayen is a wonderful and well-respected veterinarian in Toronto.  He emigrated with his family from Venezuela and has been working for the past couple of years at both the Woodbine Animal Clinic and Front Street Animal Hospital.  A huge blow came when he was very recently diag... Read More

  • Blood Donor Program

    Call us for more information about our blood donor program.  519-927-5775 ask for Ashley Read More

  • Facebook

    Be sure to check us out on facebook and 'like' our facebook page. 

     You can enter your pet's photo for our Pet of the Month contest by emailing your pet's photo to cmvhreception@gmail.com with "pet of the month" in the subject line and watch... Read More

HEMORRHAGIC GASTROENTERITIS PDF Print E-mail

What is canine hemorrhagic gastroenteritis?

Hemorrhagic gastroenteritis (HGE) is an acute disorder of dogs characterized by vomiting and/or bloody diarrhea.

How is HGE diagnosed?

The diagnosis of HGE may be challenging and ultimately require biopsies in persistent cases. Some possible causes of HGE include stomach or intestinal ulcers, trauma, gastrointestinal tumors or obstruction, foreign bodies, infectious diseases, (e.g. parvovirus) and coagulation disorders. Evaluation usually requires a complete blood count, biochemical analysis of the blood, urinalysis, x-rays, coagulation tests, fecal evaluation, ultrasound or endoscopic examination of the gastrointestinal tract.

HGE is most common in small breed dogs. The packed cell volume or hematocrit is often above 60% in dogs with HGE. Most normal dogs have a hematocrit of 37-55%. The elevated hematocrit provides an important clue that the patient may have HGE.

What causes it?

The exact cause of HGE remains unknown.

How is it treated?

Dogs with HGE will appear severely ill and, if untreated, may die. In most cases, the disorder appears to run its course in a few days if the dog is given appropriate supportive care. Intravenous fluid therapy provides the foundation of HGE therapy. Subcutaneous fluids (given under the skin) are not usually considered adequate to meet the significant fluid requirements of most dogs with HGE.

If intravenous fluid therapy is not given, the dog's red blood count will continue to elevate due to dehydration. In this situation, the dog is at risk for a potentially fatal clotting disorder called disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Once DIC has begun, it is often irreversible and may result in death.
 
Additional therapy for HE may include antibiotics, anti-ulcer medications and corticosteroids.

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This client information sheet is based on material written by Ernest E. Ward Jr., DVM

 © Copyright 2002 Lifelearn Inc. Used with permission under license. August 9, 2004.
 
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