Haemorrhagic gastroenteritis in dogs – signs and care

Updated 2026-09-30 · 1 sources

Based on: PDSA

See a vet now

This is an emergency – contact your vet or the nearest emergency vet right now. Haemorrhagic gastroenteritis is a condition that causes vomiting and diarrhoea containing blood.

What to do now

What you can do now

Contact your vet
Note when it started, how often it happens and what else you see
Take a photo or short video to show the vet
Keep fresh water available
Let your dog rest somewhere calm

Don't

Do not give any human medicine
Do not wait if it gets worse

What it is

Haemorrhagic gastroenteritis is a condition that causes vomiting and diarrhoea containing blood.^[1] If a dog shows any signs of haemorrhagic gastroenteritis, PDSA advises contacting a vet immediately.^[1]

Signs

Diarrhoea containing blood and gut lining that may look like strawberry jam
Vomiting
A painful abdomen or tummy
Pale gums
Low energy or lethargy
Reduced appetite

Causes and risk factors

Small-breed dogs, especially Yorkshire Terriers, Miniature Schnauzers and Maltese

How vets treat it

Fluids through a drip
Anti-sickness medication
Hospitalisation
Antibiotics
A diet change
Other medication

Breeds prone to this

Veterinary charities list these breeds as more likely than others to get this condition. Each breed page lists the inherited conditions documented in the breed.

What the experts say

“Overview. Haemorrhagic gastroenteritis (HGE) is a condition that causes vomiting and diarrhoea that contains blood. Specialists suspect it’s caused by a nasty bacteria that attacks the lining of the guts.”
— PDSA [1]

If your pet is struggling to breathe, has collapsed, is having a seizure or can't stand up: go to the nearest vet now.

Not sure how serious it is?

OkPaw asks a few quick questions about your pet and tells you in 30 seconds whether it can wait. Free on Google Play for Android.

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Common questions

What are the signs of haemorrhagic gastroenteritis in dogs?

Signs can include diarrhoea containing blood and gut lining, vomiting, a painful abdomen, pale gums, low energy and reduced appetite.^[1]

How might a vet treat haemorrhagic gastroenteritis?

A vet may admit your dog to a veterinary hospital and use a drip to give fluids and anti-sickness medication.^[1]

When should I contact a vet?

Contact your vet immediately if your dog shows any signs of haemorrhagic gastroenteritis.^[1]

Sources

PDSA

How this page was made: written with the help of AI from the sources below, then checked claim by claim against those sources. Urgency levels follow OkPaw’s fixed safety rules. It is guidance, not a diagnosis. How we write our pages