So this maybe should be OT, since the critter in question isn't a houndie, but I'm hoping it'll be allowed here for better exposure, and so a non-member can view replies.
Tyke is a 10 year old shih tzu/bichon mix owned by my coworker. This dog is his Daddy's soul. He's had three incidences of hemorrhagic gastroenteritis in less than 2 years; each one costing my coworker well over $1000, and it's breaking the bank. They can't afford to do it again.
From what I understand, Tyke is on a very limited diet (but I don't know what food). They don't know what triggers the episodes. Each time, he gets a transfusion, sub-q fluids, and spends a couple days in the ER. After that, he does pretty well for another six or so months. He's just come home after one of these events. The only med he's on now is Tramadol. I *think* he got sucralfate in the hospital.
No diagnosed IBD. Negative tests for Addison's. I don't know about any other testing.
I'm thinking he should be on Pepcid before meals, maybe some slippery elm. The family should have Flagyl on hand for when things start to go south. I've seen sub-q fluids done at home for a cat in kidney failure; is it reasonable to do that in this case?
What am I missing to help keep this from happening? What should the family have at home for the next occurrence? Is it even possible to get dog through a bout of HGE without an ER trip?
Thanks for any advice you all can give. The tasty ball of fluffy goodness in question is a really, really cool little dog!
I know this post was from awhile ago, but I pray you'll reply if you see this. My shih tzu Bichon mix has had two cases of HGE since November with the exact same symptoms and everything you've described. Tested negative for Addison's, haven't been able to afford a test for IBD yet. Please tell me if you ever found out what Tyke had. My baby is only 4 years old and it's breaking his Mama's heart not knowing what's wrong with him. I'm so afraid it'll happen again and possibly soon, just because he's been having weird ulcer-like symptoms recently (he was treated for a week for an ulcer and felt a little better, but then got bad again as soon as the medications ended).
Repeated Hge In A Fluffy
in Health and Medical discussion
Posted
I know this post was from awhile ago, but I pray you'll reply if you see this. My shih tzu Bichon mix has had two cases of HGE since November with the exact same symptoms and everything you've described. Tested negative for Addison's, haven't been able to afford a test for IBD yet. Please tell me if you ever found out what Tyke had. My baby is only 4 years old and it's breaking his Mama's heart not knowing what's wrong with him. I'm so afraid it'll happen again and possibly soon, just because he's been having weird ulcer-like symptoms recently (he was treated for a week for an ulcer and felt a little better, but then got bad again as soon as the medications ended).