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

[GatorBytes]

Severe Reactions Triggered by Vaccines:
Vaccine injection site sarcomas
Anaphylaxis [life-threatening shock]
Arthritis, polyarthritis-HOD hypertrophy Osteodystrophy
Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia
Immune Mediated thrombocytopenia (IMTP)
Hemolytic Disease of the newborn (Neonatal Isoerythrolysis)
Thyroiditis
Glomerulonephritis
Disease or Enhanced Disease which with the vaccine was designed to prevent
Myocarditis [inflammation of the heart muscle caused by infections, viruses, or immune diseases]
Post vaccinal Encephalitis or polyneuritis
Seizures
Abortion, congenital anomalies, embryonic/fetal death, failure to conceive fertility

Why Vets Don?t Recognize Vaccine Reactions

[BowWowMeow]

Just catching up and checking in on Ava. Sending many healing thoughts her way!

[Anubis_Star]

As an emergency technician, I see dogs present with bloody diarrhea all the time.

Most commonly we do diagnose "HGE", but there is no TEST for it, nor is there really a known CAUSE for HGE, despite what many will tell you. It is more like Kennel Cough, a broad term given to any upper respiratory disease. HGE is really just any unexplained, acute bloody diarrhea.

Famotidine and Metronidazole are both great medicines, the same exact medicines we would be giving in hospital except we would be giving the injections IV. For a very sudden bout, where a dog was brought in right away, it would be reasonable to do take home medications. She should of been given at least SubQ fluids though.

However, if Diarrhea continues for 24 hours or gets worse, then she should seek further treatment. Like Parvo, HGE can kill due to severe dehydration. It is physically impossible to supplement your dog's hydration orally when it is all being lost through diarrhea. There is no way you can give your dog enough fluids at home. The BEST treatment for severe ongoing diarrhea is hospitalization with IV fluids and IV antibiotics. Second best would be at least SubQ fluids under the skin and oral medications.

I see you first posted yesterday, and I'm sorry I did not read some of the later threads so do not know your plan as far as today. If she is still having diarrhea today and it is not IMPROVING, then I would seek further medical assistance, or at least call your vet.

~Emergency CVT

[Anubis_Star]

I see a lot of fear about HGE on here, and I realize many don't truly understand what it is. Again, HGE is not ONE disease, it is simply a term for acute bloody diarrhea with no real known cause. Yes, it can cause death depending on the dog, the age, hydration status, severity, etc. Will EVERY dog with HGE die within 24 hours? NO. But should severe diarrhea be treated, with or without blood? YES.

As far as bloodwork.... we recommend it with every case, but it really won't give you a diagnosis as far as HGE is concerned. Instead, it can show us if organ function is compromised due to some other cause of diarrhea, or how out of balance electrolytes have become that could indicate your dog NEEDS hospitalization for fluid therapy and electrolyte replacement.

[msvette2u]

Good posts, Anubis

[selzer]

Alrighty then, so are ya saying that hemorrhagic gastroenteritis is the same thing as colitis? Well, I guess some vets just call it that to scare the crap out of people then.

[GatorBytes]

Originally Posted by selzer

Alrighty then, so are ya saying that hemorrhagic gastroenteritis is the same thing as colitis? Well, I guess some vets just call it that to scare the crap out of people then.

...fear boosts profits

Anubis...is there any relation to the enlarged heart and diarrhea, symptoms of specific virus? Or do you think this is two seperate issuse?

[JakodaCD OA]

catching up and keeping fingers crossed that she's doing better today:

[AJT]

So happy that I can post this:

Ava is home! And super hungry too. We're on a bland diet with smaller servings throughout the day. She is now drinking water on her own. My vet requested that I give her a call tomorrow with a status update.

Bloodwork came out good, just an elevated white blood cell count. They had it as a high priority so the result came in quickly. My vet eased my concern about HGE - no such indication. Like everyone said, better safe than sorry. So it's just plain old gastronitis. There was gas in her intestines that was/is trying to make its way out and a possibility of a blockage.

They had fed her chicken/beef baby food and commented how well she did went in the crate (proof point to my mom for thinking a crate was used only for punishment) and didn't bark or whine.

I think in minor defense of the vet yesterday, she wasn't my usual vet since I brought Ava in immediately day of the bloody diarrhea. I think this is her first vet job post-school/residency (out of Cornell since that was on her scrub). Granted I would have appreciated the offer of blood work and a "what to do" if the meds were not working and bloody diarrhea ensued. But than what is what everyone here on the forum is for! Love love you guys!

So next week's episode is going to center around the cardiologist appointment. May need everyones help and support there...

Again, you guys, or shall I say ladies, are rock stars!

[Heidigsd]

...fear boosts profits

You really need to knock it off with these posts putting down veterinarians