HGE is an inflammation and/or infection of the small intestine that can be caused by many different means, bacteria, viruses and even stress as was the case with my Oliver in September 2001.  The signs and symptoms can just show up all at once and it id a matter of life and death that you get to the Vet immediately.

The symptoms start with vomiting, lethargy, refusing to eat, and progressing to mucous covered stool, loose stools, severe diarrhea and bloody diarrhea.  In the case of my Oliver, he went straight to the bloody diarrhea on a Sunday morning.  I had gone out of town on a short trip to visit a friend without any of my furkids, believe me, I will never leave Oliver home again after that.  Thank heavens hubby did not waste any time getting Oliver to the Vet and then the  Emergency Clinic or we would have lost him.

In most cases, a mild case of diarrhea can be treated with Pepto or Kaopectate, however, if it does not clear up quickly or if there are signs of heavy mucas or blood, you MUST get it treated by a VET ASAP.  A small dog will go down much faster.