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What to ask your vet when your small dog has HGE in emergency care?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Male | neutered | 2 years and 7 months old | 4 lbs

What are some questions I should be asking my vet for a small yorkie mix (4.4 pounds) that is in emergency care with HGE? I have never had a dog in emergency care and I don't know what kinds of questions to ask, he has been there since Sunday at 1:00 a.m. and had a blood transfusion today and plasma given to him.

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Vanessa Yeager DVM MPH

Veterinarian

Published on September 14th, 2017

Hi and thank you for you question on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

I know it can be stressful to have your sweetie pie in the ICU and emergency care.

My best advice is to be persistent with questions you have and make sure they get answered. ER and ICU vets are usually busy and preoccupied with their patients, but be sure to ask if you don't understand something explained or ask to have it explained again. I would want to understand why they think HGE occurred in Sancho, what they are currently doing and why, and what outlook does this have given Sancho's response to treatment? What are possible outcomes?

For example they did a blood transfusion, I, as an owner would want to know why and what are the chances of this treatment being successful? What occurs if the transfusion is not successful?

I hope this helps put your mind in the right direction. Thanks again for posting!

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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