Hemorrhagic gastroenteritis 4053023 181776368 2008-01-03T03:15:26Z Una Smith 3349439 /* See also */ '''Hemorrhagic gastroenteritis (HGE)''' is a disease of [[dog]]s characterized by sudden [[vomiting]] and bloody [[diarrhea]]. The symptoms are usually severe, and HGE can be fatal if not treated. HGE is most common in young adult dogs of any breed, but especially small dogs such as the Toy [[Poodle]] and [[Miniature Schnauzer]].<ref name=Ettinger_1995>{{cite book|author=Ettinger, Stephen J.;Feldman, Edward C.|title=Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine|edition=4th ed.|publisher=W.B. Saunders Company|year=1995|id=ISBN 0-7216-6795-3}}</ref> It is not contagious. ==Cause== The cause is uncertain. Suspected causes include abnormal responses to [[bacteria]] or bacterial [[endotoxin]], or a [[hypersensitivity]] to food.<ref name=Merck>{{cite web | title = Hemorrhagic gastroenteritis | work = The Merck Veterinary Manual | date = 2006 | url = http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/23311.htm | accessdate = 2007-03-20 }}</ref> Pathologically there is an increase in the permeability of the intestinal lining and a leakage of blood and proteins into the bowel. ''[[Clostridium perfringens]]'' has been found in large numbers in the intestines of many affected dogs.<ref name=Ettinger_1995/> ==Signs and symptoms== Profuse vomiting is usually the first symptom, followed by depression and bloody diarrhea with a foul odor. Severe [[hypovolemia]] (low blood volume) is one of the hallmarks of the disease, and severe [[hemoconcentration]] (a very high [[hematocrit]]) is considered necessary for diagnosis. The progression of HGE is so rapid that hypovolemic [[Shock (medical)|shock]] and death can occur within 24 hours.<ref name=Ettinger_1995/> [[Disseminated intravascular coagulation]] (DIC) is a possible [[sequela]] of HGE. ==Diagnosis== Symptoms of HGE and [[canine parvovirus]] (CPV) are similar enough that they need to be differentiated. HGE is different from CPV in that there is no [[fever]] or low [[white blood cell]] count, and that there is a high hematocrit. A negative fecal [[parvovirus]] test is sometimes necessary to completely rule out CPV. Other potential causes of vomiting and diarrhea include gastrointestinal [[parasitism|parasite]]s, bacterial infections including ''[[Escherichia coli|E. coli]]'', ''[[Campylobacter]]'', or ''[[Salmonella]]'', [[protozoa]]l infections such as [[coccidia|coccidiosis]] or [[giardiasis]], and gastrointestinal cancer. ==Treatment== The most important aspect of treatment of HGE is [[intravenous therapy|intravenous fluid therapy]] to replace lost fluid volume. The vomiting and diarrhea are treated symptomatically and will usually resolve after one to two days. Antibiotics targeting ''C. perfringens'' are also used. With prompt, aggressive treatment, the [[prognosis]] is good. There is less than 10 percent mortality with treatment, but 10 to 15 percent of cases will recur.<ref name=Merck/> ==See also== *[[Gastroenteritis]] ==References== <div class="references-small"> <references/> </div> [[Category:Dog diseases]]