HGE is not contagious. Since there are no definitive causes of HGE, there are no cures; treatments, yes, but no cures. Because there is a considerable amount of fresh blood passing through the vomit and diarrhea, without immediate treatment, pets will weaken rapidly, sending them into shock and eventually collapsed.
HGE diagnosis consists of aggressive treatment therapy, such as blood tests to time the blood coagulation (clotting), biochemical analysis of the blood, fecal tests for bacteria and parasites, IV fluids, and if the symptoms have progressed, possibly an ultrasound or endoscopic (fiberoptic) evaluation of the gastrointestinal tract. Additional aggressive therapy may include antibiotics and anti-ulcer medication. A PCV (packed cell volume) test will provide a significant clue to a veterinarian that the dog may have HGE. A normal PCV reading is 37-55%. A dog showing signs of HGE will have a PCV over 60% and if IV fluids are not administered immediately, then the dog’s red blood cell count will continue to rise because of the decrease in the fluid content of the blood due to dehydration. Eventually, the blood will become so thick that the flow is impeded, resulting in death. This is called DIC (disseminated intravascular coagulation).
On a personal note: I became aware of HGE two weeks ago when my precious little Miss Molly got this disease. Miss Molly turned 2-years old on January 6 this year. On February 27, she was her lively, perky self, running in the backyard chasing squirrels. Around 11:30, when I didn’t hear her barking or the jingle of the tags around her neck, I became concerned. When I called for her, she did not respond. When I walked around the yard, clapping and calling out for her, she did not respond. Then all of a sudden, I saw her slowly turn around the corner of the garden shed, and I immediately froze on the spot. I did not recognize her because her face was swollen, including her eyes, her ears and her whole little body was sagging. I immediately picked her up, raced into the house and called her vet. They advised me to take her to the Animal Emergency Referral Hospital and 1.5 hours later, I was in the examination room with Miss Molly while the Internal Medicine Vet examined her. The diagnosis: HGE.
The purpose in writing about this is to bring awareness to my readers that this disease can be potentially fatal if aggressive treatment is not administered, and to act immediately when their pets show signs of this illness.
6 comments:
I just experienced HGE with my 4 year old cockerspaniel. He was his usual happy, carefree self in the morning and 10 hours later he was at the emergency vet hospital with the diagnosis of HGE. I had never heard of this disease, and its sudden and severe symptoms with the real possibility of a fatal outcome scared me. After two days at the hospital my precious dog is home recovering. He is weak but doing well. I am so grateful the staff at the emergency vet hospital knew the signs and symptoms of HGE and promptly treated my dog.
OMG! I am so sorry to hear about your puppy cocker spaniel contracting HGE, although I am so happy he is home recovering. Like my little Miss Molly, I am sure the vet has him on some hard core meds. I was fortunate to be home at the time my little one got HGE and I had her at the hospital within 2 or 3 hours. She is doing very well and I love her endlessly. Thank you for your comment and I pray for a quick recovery.
My little 10 year old doxie, Penny is in the hosp now with a bad case of HGE. It's still touch and go, but we are praying for the best. I am so glad your babies are still with you :)
Jackie. I am soooooooo sorry to hear about your Doxie, Penny. I am praying she recovers. I hope the good Vet caught her HGE early. You and Penny are in my prayers and please keep me posted on her recovery progress. They can surprise us with their strength!
Can a dog with HGE continue to have it for 8 months or more? My doxie first had the strawberry jam diarrhea on May 10th, 2012. Over the months his bouts of bloody diarrhea and vomiting has gotten more and more freaquent. He's gotten so skinny. We've changed his food to grain free and when he's really bad we take the food away for up to 24 hrs and then feed him boiled chicken and rice. I am just to the point where I am tired of the bloody stools in the yard. He even has had what looks like tissue. It is all just so gross and I just don't know what to do. Through all that, he still will not turn down a game of fetch or keep away.
Have you taken you doxie to the vet? What does your vet say? From what I can gather in what you have described, it appears that your doxie may be having pancreatitis issues. Approximately 8 months after contracting HGE, Molly started vomiting blood and her stool was loose with signs of blood and what looked like tissue. I immediately took her to the vet and she was diagnosed with canine pancreatitis. Molly just turned 6 and she is doing great on a proper diet (low fat, low protein and I feed her Instinct Raw Bites). My advice is take you doxie to the vet immediately! Canine pancreatitis is a potentially fatal disease that is difficult to diagnose. Presenting signs are common and nonspecific, including vomiting, anorexia and abdominal pain. Ask your vet to perform the Spec cPL Test, which is a revolutionary test that will allow your vet to quickly and confidently rule in or rule out pancreatitis in your doxie. Please keep me posted in your progress.
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