Update on Acute Hemorrhagic Diarrhea Syndrome in Dogs

Clostridial overgrowth and associated release of their toxins is responsible for the pathogenesis acute hemorrhagic diarrhea syndrome. Diagnosis based on exclusion other causes diarrhea, because only invasive tests, such as small intestinal biopsies identifying clostridial colonization surface a necrotic mucosa, support diagnosis. These are not usually performed in unstable, hypovolemic patients with an disease. In absence complications, most dogs rapidly improve intensive fluid replacement symptomatic therapy. The short-term prognosis good, but one-third develop signs chronic gastrointestinal disease later life.