HGE - Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis

[PixieLaRue]

A week and a half ago, our 2.5 year old female, Pixie, became ill. She vomited Sat, Sun and Monday. Monday I took her into the vet - they did an xray and stool test - turns out she was 100% constipated and had some bacteria in her stool, though not an alarming level. They gave her an enema and she cam home that night w/an antibiotic. She ate her food as normal. Tues she threw up again and Wed she threw up w/blood in her vomit and her stool was like tar b/c of blood in her stool. Dr. ran blood tests on Wed - they think she has/had HGE - an overabundance of red blood cells in system. The treatment - intensive IV Fluids for at least 2 days - no food or water. She came home on Sat morning on an all rice diet b/c she cannot have the ID food (she has stomach issue w/anything chicken). She has been doing well on the rice this week - we've been slowly mixing some of her dry food in (wetting that down though).

Has anyone had a similar diagnosis? The docs do not know what causes really and say it may come back but have not mentioned changing her food or anything long term.

Thanks,
Dominique (New to YT)

[Ladymom]

Lady had HGE three times in four months a couple of years ago.

They don't know what causes it, but toy breed dogs are prone to it.

Knock wood, Lady has been fine ever since I changed her to a homecooked diet and added probiotics.

Here are a couple of links for you:

Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis (HGE)

Canine Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis (HGE) ~ Pawprints and Purrs, Inc.

[valerieam]

I'm glad to hear she is doing better.

BTW Welcome to YT.

Valerie

[PixieLaRue]

Ladymom - What kind of food was Lady on before? Goodness, I hope it does not come back for either of them!

[Ladymom]

Originally Posted by PixieLaRue

Ladymom - What kind of food was Lady on before? Goodness, I hope it does not come back for either of them!

Lady was on a commercial kibble at that time. After the last HGE episode, I was not able to get her back on it. Every time I tried to transition her off the chicken and rice she would get loose stools again. I just bit the bullet and switched her to a homecooked diet and she never had another episode. I also added Animal Essentials Plant Enzymes & Probiotics to aid with digestion.

[kjc]

Hi and Welcome to YT!

My Peek a Boo had 4-5 episodes of HGE when he was 4 and 5 years old. Two happened with his previous owner, who then turned him over to the Humane Society bc of the costs he was incurring. (over $1000.00 each time HGE hit)
Knowing he was prone to coming down with HGE, as soon as he had any blood in his stool, we were off to the vet. He had two episodes with me shortly after I adopted him, but by catching it quickly I was able to really keep the costs of treatment down.
He's been fine since, he'll br 14 in December. It's odd , I think, that HGE seems to occur in clusters with a lot of pups. IDK, maybe it's a developmental thing in some...

[Patti]

My Cali had it and was treated with IV fluids and meds during the day by my vet and I took her home at night. After 3-4 days she was much better. A short time later she had the same sick look in her eyes and I took her in and she was just starting with if so they gave her fluids and meds and she was fine the next day. I have no idea what brought hers on either. Hoping Pixie makes a full recovery and never has another episode.

[ally173]

my dog had similar episodes; vomiting blood and all. at first they thought HGE. then this march the vet did an endoscopy with biopsy and she was diagnosed with IBD; she had a total of 6 episodes; and the one is worst then the one before. please talk to you vet or internist about all the options. my dog couldn't tolerate any dog food; rx diet or not. so i put her on homecooked diet for 5 months; ground turkey and oatmeal; and then recently switch to aunt jeni's food; i cook it slightly and still add the oatmeal for extra fiber and it soothes her stomach. best of luck.