Acute haemorrhagic diarrhea in dogs - causes and diagnosis.

摘要

Dogs are commonly presented with acute haemorrhagic diarrhea. There are numerous potential causes of bloody diarrhea. Extraintestinal disorders causing acute diarrhea can be ruled out using history (e. g., intoxication), physical examination (e.g., icterus), haematology, serum chemistry profile, and urinalysis (e. g., hypoadrenocorticism, renal and liver failure). At first, gastrointestinal bleeding due to coagulation disorders has to be ruled out. A presumptive diagnosis of a "haemorrhagic gastroenteritis syndrome" can be made on the basis of appropriate clinical findings associated with an increased packed cell volume (>50-55%) and a rapid clinical improvement with adequate fluid therapy. Haemorrhagic diarrhea caused by infectious or parasitic agents has to be considered in young and immunocompromised dogs, in diarrhea outbreaks occurring in multiple animals, and in patients with concurrent evidence of sepsis. In these cases, faecal and blood cultures should be performed. Parvovirus infections are suspected in patients (especially in young and unvaccinated animals) with sudden onset of vomiting and bloody diarrhea, especially in dogs with concurrent leukopenia. Faecal ELISA for parvovirus antigen is regarded as a sensitive and specific diagnostic test. Acute haemorrhagic diarrhea can be a life threatening disease. Thus, early supportive care, aggressive monitoring for systemic complications, and specific diagnostic tests are indicated in these cases. This article reviews causes, pathogenesis, and diagnostic options of acute haemorrhagic diarrhea in dogs.