Readers Respond: Hemorrhagic GastroEnteritis - Prompt veterinary care is critical

Have you experienced HGE with a pet? What were the first presenting signs? What was the main course of treatment? Read stories from other viewers. Share your stories here. HGE episodes with my pet

Warning signs

Our precious Westie "Chloe" woke at 3a yesterday throwing up, then diarrhea. Wouldn't drink water. This went on until 5:30a and I called the ER, they said bring her in but she'll have to be transferrer to your vet at 7a. I figured she wasn't that sick so told my wife we'd be waiting at our vet when they opened at 8a. Doctor saw her and after exam kept her for blood tests and x-rays. Finally called at 7p and diagnosed HGE. He took her home with him for fluid theraphy, etc. overnite. Great guy. Anyway, I'll be waiting when he comes to work this morning. One thing we've noticed for quite a while but never thought much about is she would from time to time throw up the yellow liquid so many here have talked about. We just thought it was a tender tummy but can't help but think it's connected. Please say a prayer for our little Chloe.

—Guest Bill

My sweet little Nikki

My 11 month old lag/hound mix Nikki is now away from us for the 2nd night after being diagnosed with HGE. She is the sweetest little pupy who was her normal happy playful self until midday this past Thursday when the vomiting started. There were several episodes of vomiting during the night an d in the morning she refused water and food (which is so unlike her). She then had two small episodes of diarrhea black in color which really got me worried. We were worried she had something stuck in her intestines causing blockage and like most never heard of HGE. We are nervously waiting to hear back from the doctor later this evening as to how she is doing as her plasma level was getting very low. I am worried about future episodes and how we will be able to afford it. This is not fair...she is so young and sweet and has her whole lifetime ahead.

—Guest Barbara J

Baby in the vet...

My 5 1/2 year old pomeranian, Hammie, is at the vet right now beig treated for HGE. He has been having a bloody, almost rasberry jam looking substance that he has been passing, but no vomiting, he was drinking and eating, but having this for two days. Yesterday he stopped eating, stopping drinking, had dry nose, and dry gums and was weak and unresponsive, I took him to the vet immediately, he is there now, and we are praying fervently for his recovery. HGE is no joke, and it can take the lives of a small dog quickly, my recommendation, no matter how happy and healthy they are "acting" if there is blood in their stool or vomit, take them RIGHT away!!!! Don't call, TAKE THEM!

—Guest Hammie's Mommy

Acute hemorrhagic gastritis

My 13 year old female yorkie has just had HGE for the second time in 1 year. The first event was after a 10 day kennel stay probably due to stress and the second was this week for no apparent reason. She refused her food Tuesday night and by midnight began vomiting and very frequent bloody diarrhea. It was very scary because there were literally puddles of blood on the floor. As you can imagine, I took her to emergency vet care at 1AM and they began immediate IV fluid and antibiotics. Within 24 hours, my dog was back to her playful healthy self. I would urge you to get immediate care for your dog if you ever suspect HGE. It really does present with little or no warning and gets very bad very quickly. It is a terrible thing to see in your dog, but is very treatable if you get your dog into the vet quickly.

—Guest Taylor

HGE

My chihuahua got HGE and our Vet diagnosed it before the blood work confirmed it. His quick action saved her life. After an overnight stay and half of the next day she bounced back and is home doing well.

—Guest Donna

Mia

Mia, my 13 1/2 year old, beagle-border collie mix had an afternoon where she had diahrrea in the house which is very unlike her. The next morning she went agin She had been having a fractured tooth issue of which we were having surgery that following week so I attributed it to that. I did notice that morning on her anti-inflammatory medicine that it said do not give if they have diahrrea. I had to work that Saturay morning till noon but my daughter called me just before i was leaving and said she did it again and there was a lot of blood in it. When I got hom I took her to the emergency vet. They checked her vitals and examined her, gave her fluids, told me she looked good otherwise, took her off he vetprofen, put her on some other meds for diahrrea. So far so good, that was a couple days ago. One small instance of diahrrea that night. She has a follow-up with my regular vet. If any of your pets have issues with bloody diahrrea ck their medications for possible side effects.

—Guest Cathy

Kim

Our 7 year old miniature Schnauzer developed HCE yesterday. He was fine when my husband took him out for his morning run. By 10:30 AM he started vomiting, and by 2:30 PM he was having explosive bowel movements of pure blood. By that time we had rushed him to the vet. He told us today that his liver is also infected. He is still on IV fluids and antibiotics, but the bleeding has stopped. My advice would be that if you see any blood in the stool, take your dog in right away. This came on so fast and furious it was mind blowing. Our dog was completely healthy only hours before. Our vet thinks he might have gotten into another dog's stool while in the dog park. No more dog parks. It's just not worth it. We are hoping to bring him home tomorrow. The vet bill alone will be over $400.00 This is an infection that requires immediate, aggressive treatment. Just thankful we caught it in time, and I was home.

—Guest Kimberly Berry

comes on so quick

Our chihuahua threw up on the bed this morning, blood, then again about an hour later on the carpet and after the third time on a blanket we called the on-call vet. We had waited to see if he'd just eaten a dead mouse or something outside. She said we should bring him in. While I was on the phone he had bloody diarhea so I'm glad I called. It's going to cost us alot but he is on IV now, diagnosed HGE, unknown cause. They are keeping him overnight possibly 2 nights. He was already dehydrated. The vet described it as the body dumping it's fluids, meaning blood. So glad this happened in the morning, although it is Sunday, and that we were home to get him to the vet within 4 hours of the first vomit and half an hour of the first bloody diarhea. Don't wait, your pets life depends on it.

—Guest chihuahauluvr

hge

I just lost Murphy He had hge but was in the stomach only with no outwardly signs He was going to be 9 in a couple of8 months . He was a Portuguese water dog.

—Guest John reed

hge takes no prisoners

my 9 month old male rotweiller (123lb) started to go off his food on monday the 25th of feb ..thought he was just being picky with his food as usual .tuesday morning the blood started to flow from his mouth and rear !! within an hour he was in the emergency vets on a iv drip for dehydration and also had a shot of anti biotics ...today is friday and iv just got back from visiting him hes doing well so far hes still on the iv and what shocked me the most was reggie (thats his name) was his weight loss proberbly lost around 20lbs ..hes not out of the woods yet but with fingers crossed he will survive so far the vets bill is £4000 and rising but will be worth it if he survives so people if you notice that your pooch is passing or vomiting blood dont hesitate !!! get to the vet pronto HGE takes no prisoners hopefully reggie will get through this

—Guest paul

Hge

We have just lost a 2year old King Charles spaniel to hge I can not believe what happened. S he was fine on the Sunday then bleeding on the Monday was kept in the vets for 2 heart breaking weeks on a drip. During this time the vet put a peg feeding tube in her to get some food in her. I brought her home but the condition caused chronic pancriesus.we had to put Rosie to sleep 3weeks after she was first taken ill. We had never heard of hge and we are still in a state of shock about what happened.

—jillrosie

Don't hesitate!

My Maltese Bailey had HGE He was outside when I first noticed his vomitting, he would be sick then walk a few steps and be sick again. When he finally came in he had diarrhoea - not like I hadn't seen with him before I looked at him and he was covered in mud from being outside, foam on his mouth from vomitting and diarrhoea on him so I stuck him in th bath for a rinse to try and make him feel a bit better, as I went to get a towel I smelt the most AWFUL smell and I turned around and the bath was practically full of blood and it seemed as though he didn't even realise it was coming out of him We rang the emergency vets immediately and took him down and we were waiting for 5 mins and we tried to stress his situation so we could be seen quicker, the blood started again and once the nurses could see, we were seen straight away He was put on a drip and antibiotics and who knows what would have happened if he wasn't If you see anything like this please take your dog in!!!!

—Guest Libby

rReoccurance

Do not want to scare anyone but I believe everone who dog has had HGE that this can happen again within a matter of months. Iam saying this because my Chihuahua cheyenne is in the animal hospital with another Episode. She just had this 2 or 3 months ago. I was like oh my god not again, but this time a little different but I knew right away when I saw a small bit of blood in the stool. 2 days she was throwing up very little so I took her to the vet and they gave her a shot for nausea and when I got home with in minutes the went to the bathroom and it was a jelly looking bloody show in her stool and the second time it was a little more bloodyer. Then she started foaming at the mouth and I knew exactley what it was and I got on the phone with the vet and immediatley got her there.Right away they started her on IV Fluids. I will tell you one thing that is for sure after this happens to u the first time you get educated real quick.

—anniemarie1965

HGE

Our 4 year old Rhodesian ridgeback is in vet hospital at the moment with HGE He had diarrhoea Monday morning but seemed ok in the afternoon and it's not unusual for him as he has IBS yes he has IBS Tuesday he didn't eat his breaks which is very unusual for him as he loves his food I returned home 3 hours later to find blood bath in the kitchen ...such a shock and our poor boy was looking very sorry for himself He went outside nod produced more bloodas I was calling the vet Got him to the vet ASAP and he has now been on a drip for 24hrs I just visited him and delivered his hyper allergenic diet for when he starts eating and he looks happier and less anorexic He had lost at least 10lbs in 24hrs He fully he will be home tomorrow back with his sister who looks lost without him and his uncle digger our old westie Get well soon Kai we miss you

—Guest Sarah

hge may have been the cause

my 1 year old chiuaha dog went from being a happy go lucky playuful lil fella to sick with bloody diareahha and vomitting to dead today...he never went out of the house, havent changed his food...HGE is the only thing i can figure took him away from me...i wished i would of had knowledge of this deadly canine disease, maybe he would still be with me...rip milo, my sweet sweet baby..i will miss you forever..what a horrible v-tine day for me this has been..:(

—Guest milo my chi boy died