What is causing acute haemorrhagic diarrhoea syndrome in dogs?

IDIOPATHIC acute haemorrhagic diarrhoea syndrome (AHDS) in dogs is characterised by acute onset of haemorrhagic diarrhoea, which is commonly, but not always, preceded by acute onset vomiting. Other clinical and laboratory findings include lethargy, tachycardia, hypothermia, increased haematocrit values and stress leukogram with neutrophilic left shift (Mortier and others 2015). All these likely reflect hypovolaemia and decreased perfusion of all internal organs, as they are quickly corrected with appropriate fluid therapy (Mortier and others 2015). The syndrome appears to be more common in winter months and affects predominantly young to mid-age, small breed dogs. The disease was originally referred to as ‘haemorrhagic gastroenteritis’, but it has been recently shown that histopathological changes are present exclusively in the intestines of affected dogs, and not in the stomach (Unterer and others 2014). Since the causative agent(s) involved is not known, the diagnosis of...
Source: Veterinary Record - Category: Veterinary Research Authors: Tags: Research Source Type: research