Update on Acute Hemorrhagic Diarrhea Syndrome in Dogs

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