A week ago I had never heard of  Canine Hemorraghic Gastroenteritis.  This week our dog almost died from it. What a difference a week makes!

Tuesday morning the dog vomited just as we were on our way out the door to a tour of the Tampa Bay Hotel on the University of Tampa campus. Fascinating tour by the way.

I felt bad leaving the dog alone for so long (and was a little worried about the condition of my house, but Tuesday was the day that all the Girl Scouts turned in their cookie money.  Fortunately when we got home the dog seemed to be fine.

Tuesday night I had my PPEA board meeting (homeschool support group) and when I got home, the dog didn't even greet me at the door.  She had us up every 45 minutes all night long.  We didn't realize it, but she was passing small amounts of blood.  But even without that I knew she was really sick.

The next morning I had her at the vet's by 8 am.  Our regular vet was scheduled for surgeries all morning, BUT when the staff told him that she was there and about her symptoms he went to check her before his next surgery at 9:30 am.  What a God-thing as time is of the essence with this illness.  Basically our vet told us that they can usually save the dog...but if HGE is really involved, the owner may not be able to afford to save the dog (4 week hospital stay)

About HGE:  There are many causes for bloody diarrhea and vomiting in dogs. Hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, or HGE, refers to a specific syndrome usually seen in young adult dogs of the toy and miniature breeds. In HGE, fever is usually not present, and the main laboratory abnormality is a marked elevation of the hematocrit (concentration of blood cells) due to fluid shifts and intestinal fluid loss. There is no diagnostic test that confirms the presence of HGE. Its diagnosis is made mainly on clinical grounds.Just as there is no unique diagnostic test for HGE, there is no established cause for the illness. Treatment is similar as that for other causes of vomiting and bloody diarrhea in dogs. However, relatively large amounts of fluid are usually needed to replace the fluid lost into the intestinal tract, and to reverse shock, if present. Antibiotics are also given because bacteria may play a role in causing HGE. Although the signs are sudden and severe, and some dogs do not survive, most animals with HGE recover fully with prompt treatment. Recurrences are possible in an individual dog, but they are not common. Prompt veterinary attention is vital for any dog with severe gastrointestinal signs and depression, whether due to HGE or other causes.

Fortunately, Lucky was brought in early enough that she could be treated.  The vet said that even that afternoon might have been too late.  Another God-thing!  You see, Lucky doesn't fit the description of usual breeds with this disorder--she's an 11 year old Border Collie.

So, the poor thing is exhausted.  Two days of IV treatments and food still isn't sitting well.  The vet said we may have several days of diarrhea and vomiting to go.  But, hopefully I won't  have to take her back tomorrow.  The IVs and observation are running about $150/day + oral meds and tests!

So that's our veterinary science/biology lesson for today.  Feeling really blessed to have our sweet dog back home...hope you're feeling blessed too!

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Posted by ams