The acute hemorrhagic diarrhea syndrome in dogs was previously called “hemorrhagic gastroenteritis”.
The cause of this syndrome remains unknown to this day. A reaction to a toxic substance secreted by certain bacteria is suspected. It occurs more often in small, young or middle-aged dogs.
The major clinical sign is the acute (lightning) appearance of diarrhea with fresh blood.
Vomiting with or without the presence of fresh blood is also often present. The sick dog also shows other clinical signs such as depression, loss of appetite, abdominal pain and dehydration. Some dogs are even presented in a state of hypovolemic shock (significant reduction in the volume contained in the vessels) requiring urgent treatment.
The clinical presentation associated with the results of blood test are quite characteristic. The level of red blood cells, the hematocrit, is usually above the reference standards. This is called hemoconcentration.
In the case of other diseases with a similar clinical presentation, such as parvovirus for example, this hemoconcentration is not observed.
The most important treatment is to restore blood volume with an intravenous infusion of bulk fluid.
In parallel, symptomatic treatments for nausea/vomiting, such as Gastro Supp TM, and for diarrhea, such as Digest Regul TM, are administered.
The prognosis is very good in the majority of cases, especially when treatment is started quickly. Rapid improvement and a resolution of the symptoms after 2-3 days may then be seen.
Dr Emilie Vangrinsven
Diplomate from European college of veterinary internal medicine | PhD U-Liège
Assistant at the Liege University in the university clinic for PETs | Author and co-author of numerous scientific publications
