In Hospital W/ Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis

[:ange:]

I posted a few days ago about my 9 month old Weim coming down with an exacerbation of HOD.. Yesterday she had picked up so much, almost getting back to her normal self. We had taken her to the vets about some patchy fur (? allergies) and to get a bit of a check-up about a few things and to say ta-ta to everyone down there as we're moving soon (I was hoping it was our last visit).

Came home from work this afternoon and she was walking really awkwardly - like she was trying to sit down but it hurt. I put it down to the HOD but then I noticed all around her anal area that there was black (what looked like poo) I already had a feeling.. I got a wet wipe and wiped it and it was dried blood. I scouted around the backyard but couldn't see any bloody poos. We went to bed for about an hour then she jumped up and scooted on the bed and left a bloody trail.. I was horrified.

Straight outside were she strained and blood just came out with mucous?

Rang the afterhours vet and they told me to take her straight down. Did a rectal exam which was bloody and Ruby cried, which made me cry..

She was starting to look a fair bit brighter yesterday and today she nosedived.. lethargic, temperature.

The diagnosis is Hemorrhagic GastroEnteritis.. (yes on top of the HOD).

Has anyone's dogs had this? I've done a bit of research and.. well I trust my vet I'm just not sure about this one.

I haven't seen her vomit.. I have been at work all day so it is a possibility.

(She got her first Proheart 12 injection yesterday as well - which I am learning NOW that wasn't such a good idea)

[Dogsfevr]

What are the risks associated with the use of ProHeart®6?

Based on Canadian and foreign data, the following types of adverse reactions may be associated with the use of ProHeart®6 in dogs:

* Allergic reactions are the most frequent adverse drug reactions associated with the use of ProHeart®6. Although rare, some of these reactions have involved anaphylaxis, a severe type of allergic reaction which may result in circulatory collapse, shock and even death. These reactions have been observed when ProHeart®6 was the only medication administered and when this same veterinary drug was administered together with vaccines and/or other drugs.

* Symptoms of allergic reactions in dogs may include itchiness, hives, swelling of the face and ears, lack of energy, diarrhea and vomiting. Allergic reactions vary in severity and sometimes require medical attention or hospitalization.

* Various hematologic or blood abnormalities have been reported following ProHeart®6 administration, the most frequent being increased white blood cells (leucocytosis), low red blood cells (anemia) and low platelets (thrombocytopenia).

* Seizures were the most consistently reported adverse drug reactions involving the central nervous system, with a majority of episodes occurring in the first three days after administering ProHeart®6 injection. Other neurological signs that affect the nervous system include trembling, nervousness, confusion and weakness and may be associated with the use of ProHeart®6.

* Evidence of injury to the liver has also been observed following ProHeart®6 administration.

[persephone]

Hope she's ok soon...

[Loraine]

How terrible for you and Ruby. I found this on the internet, might help you.

Canine Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis (HGE)

What is canine hemorrhagic gastroenteritis?

Hemorrhagic gastroenteritis (HGE) is a disorder of dogs which is usually fairly abrupt in onset. The significant signs of HGE are vomiting and/or diarrhea containing variable amounts of blood. The blood may be bright red (fresh blood) or dark (digested blood).

How is HGE diagnosed?

The diagnosis of HGE is one of exclusion, meaning other possible causes of bloody vomiting and/or bloody diarrhea must first be considered. Some of these possible causes include ulcers, trauma, gastrointestinal tumors or obstruction, foreign bodies, infectious diseases, and coagulation disorders. Evaluation of these other causes might require such tests as a complete blood count, biochemical analysis of the blood, urinalysis, x-rays, coagulation tests, fecal evaluation ultrasound or endoscopic (fiberoptic) evaluation of the gastrointestinal tract. Because the costs of all these tests could be significant, it is sometimes prudent to treat the dog for a few days with supportive care to see if the signs resolve. More details on this are given below.

HGE is most common in small breeds of dogs. The blood count of affected dogs is frequently characterized by an elevated hematocrit (red blood cell count). Most normal dogs have hematocrits of 37-55%, while dogs with HGE may have hematocrits well above 60%. The elevated hematocrit provides the veterinarian with an important clue that the dog may have HGE.

What causes it?

The exact cause of HGE remains unknown.

How is it treated?

Dogs with HGE will appear profoundly ill and, if left untreated, may die. In most cases, the disorder appears to run its course in a few days if the animal is given appropriate supportive care. Intravenous fluid therapy provides the cornerstone of therapy for HGE. Fluids given under the skin are not considered adequate to meet the significant fluid requirements of most dogs with HGE.

If intravenous fluid therapy is not given, the dog's red blood count will continue to elevate due to dehydration. Eventually, the blood may become so thick that it flows very slowly through the blood vessels. In this situation, the dog is a prime candidate for a potentially fatal clotting disorder called disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Once DIC has begun, it is often irreversible and may result in death.

Additional therapy may include antibiotics and anti-ulcer medication.

Page URL: http://www.sniksnak.com/doghealth/hge.html

[Belljari]

I have nothing to offer in the way of experience with this, sorry I really hope she will be ok

I have been involved with dogs many years and it does worry me that we give them so much medication in high doses Iam assuming that this was for heartworm coverage for 12 months?

I have always given my dogs (rottweilers) heartworm tablets daily and I have never had a dog develop heartworm,or a dog become sick because of this type of medication, so I know it works.

Since getting my two cavaliers I have been giving them monthly heartworm (guardian) which also covers worms and I feel this enough. I know there are tablets that cover heartworm, worms and fleas, but if your dogs does not have fleas why give them this once a month, I only treat for fleas when they have them ,as I think this medications can build up which is not good for them when you add in their yearly vacs.

Maybe next year when this vaccination is out of her system start her daily or monthy heartworm, harder to remember I know but maybe a better alternative for her.

Sorry I was assuming they thought this was brought on by giving her the proheart 12, maybe not, what do they think brought this on?

Edited October 11, 2008 by Belljari

[:ange:]

Thanks Loraine for the info.. that was pretty much the same site I was on (same info anyway).. cheers, you guys are just so helpful!!!

Belljari: The vet assured me that it wasn't a reaction from the heartworm jab.. but you know.. they didn't tell me that there were risks in taking this jab. I nearly died when I saw it.

The cause of this disease is again unknown (as is with everything with Ruby apparently) so there is no way of knowing what it is that is causing this. I have to go in again in the morning at 9.30am and see how she's going.

I guess her symptoms fit the bill for HGE.. I'm just not 100% of it is all. Then again, I'm no vet.

[:ange:]

we most certainly won't be doing the proheart 12 next year again.. yesterday I had no intention of getting it. I enquired about treatments and unfortunately that's what I ended up with. What I should have said was "Wait.. just let me go home, check DOL and I'll get back to you"

I'm what salespeople dream of..

[puggy_puggy]

Ohhh god I wouldn't have injected an already sick dog with more chemicals which is what your vet has done by giving her the heartworm injection.

Poor kid hope she recovers from all of this soon.

[Dogsfevr]

we most certainly won't be doing the proheart 12 next year again.. yesterday I had no intention of getting it. I enquired about treatments and unfortunately that's what I ended up with. What I should have said was "Wait.. just let me go home, check DOL and I'll get back to you"

I'm what salespeople dream of..

Ange yes you will learn but to be honest i would be more disappointed with your vet.

I really can not understand why they even considered the injection when she has been sick all week & i presume on some pain relief for the HOD.

You really do have to question what your vet wants to give especially when they have a history,dont presume there a vet & now whats right many dont & get away with too many things because people dont question or stand there ground & the reality is you will be paying for an expensive vet bill not them.