HGE/recovery?
 

My Bodie... (1 1/2 yrs old, 7 lbs)
Yesterday started out like any normal day, stools were fine, acting normal. I came home from work early (thank goodness) to find bloody diarrhea and vomit. Observed for a short time to make sure I was comfortable it was only one dog that was sick. (I called our vet and got a recording.... she has new office hrs, closing at noon on Thurs until Mon.) Off to the ER we go. We arrived at the ER at 4:30 to find no vets on duty until 6pm, I was told to make him as comfortable as possible until then. Returned at 6pm.... Bodie was going into shock, temp extremely low, swaying, etc. Diagnosed with HGE. Bodie stayed at the ER overnight (they close at 8am). I then took him to a new vet where he is on IV and antibiotics.
This all happened so fast, that waiting "until tomorrow" to see if he was better would have cost him his life. PLEASE, take your babies to the vet, don't wait until tomorrow!! Their lives are dependent on you!!
My questions is..... what do you do different in your routine to try to prevent another occurrence? Bodie will be able to come home at 4:30 and I will take every precaution/directions from the vet but I just wondered if those that have had this experience could enlighten me on anything else I can do to try and prevent this from happening again.
I am very careful about what my babies eat, no houseplants, insecticides etc., nothing for them to get into around the house. I am certain this was not caused by something he ate...... so what would you recommend for precautions?
I cried so much to see my little boy in this condition. I want to do anything to prevent this. What would you do?

And yes, I now have a new vet for all the kids! Bodie just didn't know he wasn't suppose to get sick Thurs - Mon. Silly boy......

(Thank you to those that have posted great links to HGE for those of us that have not experienced this.)

Oh, what a scare! So glad you got him into the E.R. vet in time to save his life as that stuff can be so deadly. Have read enough here that if I ever see sudden bloody diarrhea & vomiting in Tibbe, we're just going straight into the E.R.(ours even has a vet there during the day - wish they all did.). You have likely saved your baby's life by being pro-active & getting him care as fast as you could!

I am sorry your Bodie went thru HGE. With HGE there really isn't anything you can do to prevent it. It is something that comes on suddenly without warning.

My Allie had this happen in February. The marjority of time there is no way to know what brings it on. It has been suggested that it is brought on by stress. I know my Allie wasn't under any stress.

Really nothing to do to prevent it. I thought it usually takes 3-4 days for it to clear up. If it starts again, take him right back in. Oh nevermind... I see he's still at the vet's.

That's what makes HGE so dangerous, they don't know what causes it. I was also told stress, when Peek had it we walked on eggshells, never even raised our voices or anything for 2 weeks, and it came back anyway. He's been fine since... that was 10 years ago. He was 5 when it hit him.

I'll keep Bodie in my prayers....

How scary for you and Bodie:( I'm glad you got him to the ER vet in time! Glad to see, also, that you've switched regular vets. I don't understand how they can just close for three and a half days every week, when there is no ER vet available until 6 pm on weekdays:confused: That's how our ER clinic is too, same hours.

I don't know anything about HGE, but the thought of it scares the pants off me:eek: Sending up prayers that Bodie is going to be just fine now, and that this doesn't happen again, poor baby!

Oh, thank God Bodie is ok. What a scary thing to go through. Yes, you need a vet that is open when the ECs are not. My vet closes at 5PM, but is usually around until 6PM when the EC opens. Wish you were a bit closer to me as you could use my vet. It is probably about a half hour drive for you and she is an awesome vet.

Did you use the EC on Calder Road?

Yes, I went to the one on Calder. Our new vet said she was glad Dr Palm was there, that he is a good one. Some good news anyway....

As I was driving home last night crying like a baby, I thought of you and ALL the things you deal with for these babies. Makes me straighten my spine and buck up, as we say. We got this....... prescription diet, 3 meds and all, Bodie and I will be just fine.

Thank you Jeanie, like you I'm a steady reader of YT and knew we had a serious situation on our hands. I'm always so thankful that I found YT with my first kid and have learned so much. I hate to think of what would have happened if I would not have known the symptoms.

Thank you Vicki. The doc did mention this can be brought on by stress, then chuckled and said Bodie sure didn't seem to have a stressful like - as I'm standing there making sure he is covered in his favorite blanket, he has to have it, he sleeps with it at night...... Yes, he is very stressed ;)

Thankyou Tracy,
Scared the pants off me for sure, pretty scary sight to find when returning home. Thankfully, it will turn out ok but I'm always thankful for the good thoughts and prayers.

Thank you Kathy, it's great to hear that Peek hasn't had any further problems. I hope the same for Bodie. It gives me a better outlook to know of Peek's success.

If you ever have to go there again, give me a call. I know pretty much who's who in there...and who to avoid. :eek: I always call to see who is there...and if I don't care for the one that is there, I go up to Edgebrook. It's a bit of a drive but worth it!

Oh, don't minimize your feelings! It is downright frightening to have such a sick pup!!

OMG. I'm so glad you got Brodie in fast. Thanks also for the reminder - I never wait and this is why we never should wait!

What is HGE?
 

What is HGE? Never saw this before.

HGE is Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis and it is an emergency...

Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis