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==Description==

==Description==

Haemorrhagic gastroenteritis is characterised by acute vomiting and diarrhoea.  Gastrointestinal integrity is loss, resulting in a rapid movement of blood, fluid and electriolytes into the intestinal lumen.  The aetiology is unknown but it may relate to ''Clostridium perfringes'' enterotoxicosis or an immune-mediated reaction.  There is usually no history of garbage, chemical or foreign body ingestion.

Haemorrhagic gastroenteritis is characterised by acute vomiting and diarrhoea.  Gastrointestinal integrity is loss, resulting in a rapid movement of blood, fluid and electrolytes into the intestinal lumen.  The aetiology is unknown but it may relate to ''Clostridium perfringens'' enterotoxicosis or an immune-mediated reaction.  There is usually no history of garbage, chemical or foreign body ingestion.

   

   

==Diagnosis==

==Diagnosis==

===Clinical Signs===

===Clinical Signs===

*Pyrexia (rare)

*Pyrexia (rare)

*Thrombocytopaenia (severe cases)

*Thrombocytopaenia (severe cases)

*Prerenal or renal azotaemia (severe cases)

*Pre-renal or renal azotaemia (severe cases)

*Haemoconcentration with PCV > 60%

*Haemoconcentration with PCV > 60%

*Normal or increased total protein concentrations, but proportionately lower than would be expected from the corresponding increase in PCV due to loss of protein through the intestines.

*Normal or increased total protein concentrations, but proportionately lower than would be expected from the corresponding increase in PCV due to loss of protein through the intestines.

====Other Tests====

====Other Tests====

*Faecal cytology may reveal red blood cells, occasional white blood cells, ''C. perfringes'' spores or enterotoxin.  ''C. perfringes'' spores or enterotoxin can be found in a normal dog, therefore care has to be taken not to overinterprete this.   

*Faecal cytology may reveal red blood cells, occasional white blood cells, ''C. perfringens'' spores or enterotoxin.  ''C. perfringens'' spores or enterotoxin can be found in a normal dog, therefore care has to be taken not to over-interpret this.   

===Diagnostic Imaging===

===Diagnostic Imaging===

**Colloidal or plasma are recommended to replace the intravascular deficit due to loss of protein, followed by crystalloids to complete rehydration.

**Colloidal or plasma are recommended to replace the intravascular deficit due to loss of protein, followed by crystalloids to complete rehydration.

**Clinical improvements should be noted within a few hours but resolution of clinical signs may take a few days.

**Clinical improvements should be noted within a few hours but resolution of clinical signs may take a few days.

*A broad spectrum antimicrobials such as ampicillin combined with fluoroquinole are appropriate against C. perfringes.  This is recommended to be given empirically.

*A broad spectrum antimicrobials such as ampicillin combined with fluoroquinolone are appropriate against C. perfringens.  This is recommended to be given empirically.

*Initially, nil per os should be implemented.  Once vomiting has stopped, a bland and highly digestible diet such as chicken and rice can be introduced.

*Initially, Nil Per Os should be implemented.  Once vomiting has stopped a bland and highly digestible diet such as chicken and rice can be introduced.

==Prognosis==

==Prognosis==

Good if presented in a timely fashion.  The duration of the disease is normally between 24-72 hours.  Complete recovery in most cases provided there is no compication such as hypoproteinaemia or sepsis.  Howevern, recurrence is possible.

Good if presented in a timely fashion.  The duration of the disease is normally between 24 - 72 hours.  Complete recovery in most cases provided there is no complication such as hypoproteinaemia or sepsis.  However, recurrence is possible.