HGE (AHDS) in dogs: Causes, symptoms & treatment

Key Takeaways:

- AHDS (acute hemorrhagic diarrhoea syndrome), formerly known as HGE (hemorrhagic gastroenteritis), is the name given to gastrointestinal inflammation in dogs.

- It often presents as sudden vomit and diarrhoea with the presence of blood (that often resembles strawberry jam).

- It's classed as a medical emergency, so it’s important to get your dog to the vet immediately if you see these signs.

Whenever your pooch starts vomiting or having diarrhoea, it’s always concerning. And if you start to spot blood in their poo, this can quickly ring alarm bells.

Any signs of blood, alongside these other symptoms, should always be seen by a vet as soon as possible. Whilst it could be put down to a wide range of things, there’s a possibility they have acute hemorrhagic diarrhoea syndrome (AHDS), formerly known as hemorrhagic gastroenteritis (HGE).

Symptoms of AHD or HGE can appear rapidly in otherwise healthy dogs. But by getting your pooch the right treatment quickly, they can make a full recovery in just a few days. So here’s everything you need to know, including what signs you need to look out for and when you need to take them to the vet.

What is HGE in dogs?

HGE, or AHDS, refers to the same condition (vets may use both names). It’s when parts of the gastrointestinal system become inflamed to the point that they start bleeding. 

It’s a sudden, severe condition which can appear in just a few hours, with diarrhoea and vomiting starting abruptly with no improvement.

Signs and symptoms

The main sign of HGE is the sudden onset of the following symptoms:

• Vomiting (with sick that may contain blood).

• Diarrhoea, which usually contains blood and tissue; many people describe it as looking like strawberry jam.

• Abdominal pain, causing them to yelp or growl when you go near their tummy or sit and lie down in unusual positions.

• Pale gums.

• Low energy or lethargy.

• Little or no appetite.

A pooch with HGE or AHDS will become unwell very quickly, sometimes in just a few hours, so it’s important to see a vet as soon as possible if you spot any of these symptoms.

Causes

There’s no definitive cause for HGE/AHDS. However, most evidence suggests that it’s caused by a toxic bacterium damaging the gut wall. 

It can also be triggered by:

• Eating something they shouldn’t

• An abnormal immune system response

• High levels of stress or anxiety

• Pancreatitis, which can lead to gut inflammation

What breeds are more prone to HGE?

Small and toy dog breeds are more prone to getting HGE/AHDS. It’s also more common in young dogs up to the age of five, those with sensitive stomachs and those with anxious temperaments. 

High-risk breeds include: 

• Miniature Schnauzers

• Yorkshire Terriers

• Miniature Poodles

• Miniature Pinschers

• Maltese

• Dachshunds

• Cavalier King Charles Spaniels

What to do if you think your dog has HGE (AHDS)

The first step is to stay calm and try to keep your dog relaxed, too. Any stress can worsen their symptoms, so it’s important to make sure they’re as comfortable as possible. 

Then, follow these steps: 

• Call your vet immediately and tell them about your pet’s symptoms, insisting that it’s treated as an emergency.

• Collect samples or pictures of your dog’s sick or poo for the vet to look at.

• Get your pooch to the vet as quickly as possible.

• Practice good hygiene to avoid catching infection spread in bloody vomit and diarrhoea. Wash hands well with soapy water after cleaning up any mess or touching your dog. This is to reduce the risk of you catching any disease that may be infectious, such as Salmonellosis.

Diagnosis

If your pet is severely ill with vomiting or diarrhoea, it’s likely your vet will immediately give them emergency treatment to stop their symptoms from getting worse. 

To diagnose HGE, your vet may run a blood test to check your dog’s PCV level. If it’s high, this indicates that your pooch may ha HGE. 

Other tests, such as faecal tests or ultrasounds, may be run to help your vet rule out any other causes.

Treatment

Vets that suspect HGE/AHDS will send a dog to a clinic or hospital for treatment, including: 

• An IV fluid drip to rehydrate them

• Anti-sickness medication

• Antibiotics

Your dog is likely to be in the hospital for several days until they get better. They’ll be kept in their own kennel to prevent the illness from spreading to other dogs.

Recovery and aftercare

If your dog gets the right treatment quickly, they’ll usually make a full recovery within a few days.

It’s important to get your dog to a vet rapidly, as the illness could be fatal if left untreated.

What’s the best food to feed your dog after HGE (AHDS)?

HGE causes inflammation in the gut. So, to help your dog recover, it’s recommended to give them gentle ingredients that won’t further irritate their stomach or intestines.

Foods designed for sensitive stomachs or low in fat are ideal to give your dog for a week or two after they return from the hospital. Gentle, nutritious ingredients like Turkey, Salmon, or White Fish can give your dog all the vitamins they need without upsetting their gut. 

Avoid giving your dog any foods that contain high levels of salt, fat or artificial additives and fillers. These will irritate your dog’s stomach and could cause their gut to become reinflamed, delaying their recovery. 

If your dog has allergies to particular foods, it’s important to avoid these too, as these will only increase gut irritation.

The previous inflammation, as well as their prescribed medication, may have left their gut significantly unbalanced. Their gut, and the delicate balance of bacteria that lives within it, impacts many areas of your dog’s overall health, so it needs to be in the best condition to effectively support your dog’s overall wellbeing. Getting their gut health back on track after they’ve recovered helps your pooch towards being their best and healthiest self. 

Choosing a high-quality, fresh wet or dry food will pack in plenty of protein and nutrients that help feed beneficial bacteria in the gut. This, alongside probiotic or prebiotic supplements, will help boost their overall wellness and restore balance to their microbiome.

Doing a Gut Health Test for dogs is the best way to really see how their gut is doing post-recovery. By sending a small sample of poop to our lab, our Microbiologists can analyse the bacteria present and pinpoint imbalances. Off the back of this, we can recommend a targeted supplement plan that’ll help nourish and restore the gut, and provide nutritional support where they need it most. 

Explore more about Gut Health at Pooch & Mutt!