Von Willebrand Disease

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Von Willebrand Disease is a hereditary blood disease which causes a bleeding disorder. Bleeding occurs because of a lack of von Willebrand Factor (vWF is a glycoprotein) which stops platelets from binding, sticking or clumping together as they normally should to form a clot. This means that the dog may bleed dangerously (hemorrhage) & is prone to spontaneous bleeding.

Over 50 breeds have been reported to have von Willebrand Disease. Some breeds it is more commonly seen in:

German Shepherds
German Short Haired Pointer
Doberman Pinschers
Golden Retriever
Rottweiler
Schnauzer
Standard Poodle
Shetland Sheepdog
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Airedale Terrier
Scottish Terrier

Severity of bleeding also varies from breed to breed.

Symptoms include:

Bleeding from mucous membranes of the anus, vagina, penis, nose, mouth (urinary, reproductive & intestinal tracts), blood in feces (black or red), blood in urine. Abnormal bleeding may be seen in puppies when they are teething. Not all dogs are severely affected so excess bleeding might only be noticed after injury or a surgical operation.

Petechial hemorrhages are very rarely seen in vWD & would be more likely to be caused by thrombocytopenia, a totally different diagnosis.

Many dogs with von Willebrand Disease have normal blood tests for coagulation times & platelet counts. A test for plasma vWf:Ag (antigen) , ELISA test, buccal mucosa bleeding time & platelet function analysis can determine the presence & severity of the disease.

Treatment for severe bleeding is transfusion with fresh plasma, fresh frozen plasma, cryoprecipitate. Whole blood is only given if the dog is anemic, but this will not normally contain enough vWF to stop the bleeding, although some blood banks do supply whole blood with extra von Willebrand Factor (vWF). A treatment called desmopressin acetate is sometimes given, but is not always effective.

Dogs with mild or moderate symptoms can have a reasonably normal life, only requiring occasional treatment. Dogs with a more severe form may need transfusions from time to time, for example during episodes of prolonged bleeding or before & after surgery.