Searched the site for Colitis/bloody diarrhea threads but...

[Courtney]

Thanks for the update.

We are all thinking of your girl this morning.

[JeanKBBMMMAAN]

Thanks for the update. I have an Ava. I will be checking in as I can for sure and know others will as well.

Yeah, no requesting on the blood work. When you get it done you will want to know packed cell volume/hematocrit like they say in this link: A typical blood chemistry panel usually includes (PCV/HCT) normal is about 37-55 (my dog's was 70 - yeeks).

Bloody Diarrhea - Hemorrhagic GastroEnteritis (HGE) in Dogs
How is HGE diagnosed?
HGE is diagnosed primarily by ruling out other causes of bloody diarrhea. The sudden appearance of bloody diarrhea and a high packed cell volume (PCV) in a previously healthy dog rule in favor of the HGE diagnosis. Other causes of gastrointestinal bleeding that must be considered as possibilities and subsequently ruled out include:

• Gastrointestinal ulcers
• Colitis
• Parvovirus
• Coronavirus
• Campylobacter sp (bacteria)
• Salmonella sp (bacteria)
• Clostridium sp (bacteria)
• Escherichia coli (bacteria)
• Leptospirosis
• Whipworms
• Hookworms
• Coccidiosis
• Giardiasis
• Warfarin (rat poison) toxicity
• Thromobocytopenia (low platelets)
• Gastrointestinal cancer
• Hypoadrenocorticism

We just had a dog from KY that they did the PCR test on her diarrhea - so that's another test that can be done. She had 4 C's show up -
Cryptosporidium
Clostridium
Campylobacter
Coronavirus

So there are lots of weird things and good tests to find them. Good thoughts!

[Courtney]

This may sound over the top...but when I'm nervous I tend to forget questions to ask. Maybe even print this thread or bring your own questions written down when you see the vet.

[AJT]

At vet now. Ava is going to stay at the hospital and getting subcutaneous fluids. No IV drip because of the size of her heart. Bloodwork will be done. My vet is aware of my concern of HGE. They took additional X-rays to see if the pockets of gas has passed (X-rays were taken yesterday).

So that is where we are. Ugh. Thank god for insurance.

[JeanKBBMMMAAN]

I hope they drew the blood before they started her on the fluids. If not, and I have no idea if I have a medical reason or not (don't know enough!), I would be letting them have it nicely (I would want to see her values before the fluids and then have a baseline).

For the heart, once she's all better from this, I would go to a cardiologist. You have a high cost area, I am betting, not sure if the drive to vet teaching hospitals would actually be less expensive for you.

Keeping you guys in my thoughts!

[Heidigsd]

I hope you get some answers and Ava makes a full recovery

Michaela

[AJT]

I just made it in to work and will be calling the vet at around 1pm to get a status update. The vet said that by me trying to get liquids in her has helped her keeping from being considered "clinically dehydrated".

I think for the bloodwork/fluid thing. I didn't know so I imagine that she took the bloodwork before giving my dog fluids. I think at this point, whatever has been is done but I'll find out more once I call. I really like my vet and she has always been patient with me and took the time to explain. She also knows I'm a google fanatic and have quoted this board many times. I trust that she took blood before fluids but I'll be asking anyway to confirm.

We have an appointment with the cardiologist next Wednesday but I guess that may get rescheduled depending on what Ava's condition is. The doctor said that her heart is 25% larger than what she thinks it should be just that they can't tell if its the heart that is generally large or it has thick muscle walls etc.

I know I am in high cost area and I do believe I have a number of vet schools nearby (i think).

I have to update the breeder on Ava's condition re: her heart and heart murmur.

[kiya]

Originally Posted by AJT

Apparently a friend of mine thinks I was crazy to call out of work and spend the day taking care of my dog...

Guess I'm crazy too, I am taking monday off to get an ultra sound on my cat.
Hopeing everything goes well for Ava.

[AJT]

Originally Posted by kiya

Guess I'm crazy too, I am taking monday off to get an ultra sound on my cat.
Hopeing everything goes well for Ava.

You are not crazy. Well I don't know. I actually googled up quizzes testing if you are that "crazy dog or cat lady". Apparently, my scores were pretty high confirming my supposed craziness. So, if you are, I'm right there with you with poop bags and treats in hand.

[GatorBytes]

http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/...htm#adenovirus

A vaccine, like any medicine, could cause a serious reaction. But the risk of a vaccine causing serious harm, or death, is extremely small.
Mild Problems
Several mild problems have been reported within 2 weeks of getting the vaccine:

• headaches, upper respiratory tract infection (about 1 person in 3)
• stuffy nose, sore throat, joint pain (about 1 person in 6)
• abdominal pain, cough, nausea (about 1 person in 7)
• diarrhea (about 1 person in 10)
• fever (about 1 person in 100)

Severe Problems
More serious problems have been reported by about 1 person in 100, within 6 months of vaccination. These problems included:

• blood in the urine or stool
• pneumonia
• inflammation of the stomach or intestines

It is not clear whether these mild or serious problems were caused by the vaccine or occurred after vaccination by chance.
As with all vaccines, adenovirus vaccine will continue to be monitored for unexpected or severe problems.