Acute Hemorrhagic Diarrhea Syndrome (AHDS) in Dogs.

about 1 year ago

Considering and talking about the health of our pets is what I write about over here, so if you are visiting my page for the first time, you are welcome to learning about how we can protect pets and pet owners from infctions and diseases. I am also aware that there are very smart minds over here, so I am always opened to learning from you friends.
Today, we will be studying about a pet disorder that has a strong effect on dogs more than cats, I hope you enjoy reading.

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Acute hemorrhagic diarrhea syndrome (AHDS) is also called hemorrhagic gastroenteritis (HGE), it is a sudden dog disorder that makes a dog vomit and get bloody diarrhea. Some dogs may also experience a painful abdomen, lethargy, decreased appetite, and fever.

AHDS can affect any dog regardless of size, age, or gender, but it is not so common in little-breed dogs, and dogs who have a history of a sensitive stomach are more likely to experience HGE on a frequent base.
That the cause of HGE is unknown which makes it an idiopathic disease. If you have a dog who loves to raid leftovers in the kitchen or get into trash cans, they stand a strong chance of developing the condition. It could also happen as a result of toxins or immune-mediated disease, where the illness is caused due to the disturbance in the immune system. Stress, anxiety, hyperactivity, may also contribute to the condition of the pet.

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Ulcer in the stomach or intestine, trauma, intestinal parasites and bacteria, foreign bodies, coagulation disorder. A dog who experiences HGE once stands a strong chance of experiencing it again.
Because the possible causes of AHDS are numerous, evaluating it will require a complete blood count, urinalysis, radiographs, biochemical analysis of the blood, fecal evaluation, coagulation tests, endoscopic examination of the gastrointestinal tract or ultrasound.

Dogs that have been diagnosed with HGE will usually need to spend a day at the hospital, the vet will need to administer fluids in a prompt and large amount to your pet through an intravenous catheter. The rate of isotonic fluid is dependent on the patient perfusion, the degree of dehydration, and the ongoing losses. Antibiotics and medications will also be administered to prevent nausea.

After the process of the fluid therapy, the PVC and electrolyte levels of the dog will be monitored too. IV fluid is important for the treatment of dogs, when your dog is not given agressive fluid therapy, they will get dehydrated leading to an increased PCV case and eventual blood thickening. Over time, the blood will get so thick that its flow will slow down in the blood vessels.

When the disease progresses up until this stage, then the affected pet may develop a disseminated intravascular coagulation, this clotting disorder could potentially be a fatal one because it is often impossible for us to have a reversed case at this point.

It will be difficult for advice to be given as regards prevention, this is because the cause is not known. However, it is better to alway fed a high-quality commercial diet to pets, be careful about giving foods or extra treats that pets are not farmiliar with to them, alsoi a low-stress environment should be provided to them.