Like their human friends, dogs also suffer from certain genetic diseases that may affect their health and lifespan in various ways. One such canine ailment, Von Willebrand’s disease is a hereditary genetic disorder that disrupts the clotting ability of dogs’ blood. This poses a significant challenge to the healing ability of the animal, especially post-surgery or after trauma or an injury. While this illness is not cured, some effective management strategies are available for most affected pets. The article delves into recognizing Von Willebrand's disease, underlying mechanisms, and appropriate steps if your four-legged friend is diagnosed with this health condition.
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Causes Of Von Willebrand’s Disease
Von Willebrand’s disease arises from abnormalities in the Von Willebrand’s factor, a crucial set of protein molecules facilitating blood clot formation. Inheritance occurs through parental transmission and is more prevalent in certain breeds like Dobermans, Golden Retrievers, Rottweilers, German Shepherds, and Poodles.
The deficiencies in this factor manifest in three main types:
Type 1: The most prevalent form, characterized by insufficient Von Willebrand’s factor levels, is often asymptomatic until post-surgery complications arise due to inadequate clotting.
Type 2: More severe than type 1, involving reduced and structurally flawed Von Willebrand’s factor.
Type 3: The most severe variant, where Von Willebrand’s factor is absent.
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Symptoms Of Von Willebrand’s Disease In Dogs
Many dogs, particularly those with type 1, may exhibit no symptoms of the disease until they have undergone surgery or have had an injury. However, more severe variants of this condition can lead to the following symptoms in dogs:
- Bleeding in the gums
- Bloody urine or haematuria
- Frequent bruising
- Prolonged bleeding following a trauma
- Frequent nosebleed
- Severe bleeding from cut nails or wounds
- Severe bleeding after spaying or neutering procedures
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Detection And Management Of Von Willebrand’s Disease
Von Willebrand’s Disease is difficult to detect. The ailment is mostly noticed during routine puppy surgeries such as spaying or neutering. While there is no permanent cure or preventive measures for Von Willebrand due to its hereditary nature, managing the ailment is the only way out. Treatment of Von Willebrand’s Disease typically involves IV infusion of whole blood and plasma. To ensure the safety of your furry pet, before any surgical intervention of a puppy, the dog owner must have a comprehensive plan in place due to the critical role of coagulation in recovery. This is extremely important when any pet surgery is being performed for the first time. Some veterinary practitioners advise the administration of a hormone pre-surgery. Though it can temporarily boost Von Willebrand’s factor production, it is not a long-term solution. Moreover, if breeding your dog is on your list, testing for this disorder is imperative to prevent its transmission to offspring.
References:
- Von Willebrand's Disease: A Common Inherited Bleeding Disorder in Doberman Pinscher Dogs
- B. Johnstone
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1680304/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6332976/
