Von Willebrands Disease

Von Willebrands Disease is an inherited disorder that resembles hemophilia.

The first sign of von Willebrand Disease could be an injury that bleeds excessively.

Weimaraners can have Von Willebrands...

History of Von Willebrand Disease

Erik Adolf von Willebrand was a Finnish internist who published an article in 1926 about a new type of bleeding tendency in patients he was studying. The disease he reported and named was caused by a deficiency in or impairment of a protein which has since been named the von Willebrand factor.

What is Von Willebrands Disease?

Also known as vWD, Von Willebrands Disease in dogs is similar to hemophilia in humans. It is a bleeding disorder caused either by low levels or deficiency of the protein known as the von Willebrand factor which affects the bloods ability to clot.

Three Major Types
of Von Willebrands Disease

Type 1 is the mildest, and most common in the following breeds (in no particular order):

• Doberman Pinscher
• Shetland Sheepdog
• German Shepherd Dog
• Standard Poodle

In this type, there is a low concentration of normally structured proteins making up von Willebrands factor. Bleeding typically occurs from the mouth, nose, and urinary tract. Spontaneous bleeding might not occur, but you would see excessive bleeding during elective procedures like ear cropping, tail docking, and spaying/neutering.

Type 2 is classified by a low concentration of a flawed von Willebrand factor, meaning it isn’t working properly. Breeds most commonly at risk for Type 2 are:

• American Cocker Spaniels
• German Shorthaired Pointers
• German Wirehaired Pointers

Type 3 is the most severe and is characterized by lack of any measurable von Willebrands factor which would result in severe blood loss. Breeds most commonly at risk for Type 3 are:

• Scottish Terriers
• Chesapeake Bay Retrievers
• Australian Cattle Dogs

Symptoms of Von Willebrand Disease

Excessive bleeding because the blood can’t clot, which typically occurs due to a wound or after surgery. Dogs with vWD might also experience nose bleeds or bleeding of the gums. Monitor your dogs bowel movements; if urine has blood it in or if stool is black those are signs of internal bleeding. Excessive bleeding of the toe nails if cut too short. Bruises or lumps filled with blood on the surface of the body, legs or head.

Inheritance of vWD

Males and females both have an equal risk of inheriting this disease. Dogs of any breed could have vWD but some dogs are more prone to it than others (as indicated in the Type section above). Offspring may inherit vWD if either parent carries the gene, but not all offspring would be affected to the same extent.

Prevention of Von Willebrands Disease

Since the most common symptom (bleeding) of Von Willebrands doesn’t occur until injury has taken place, prevention can be difficult.

One should never breed an affected dog, and breeding of a carrier should be minimized. DNA tests can be done to determine if a dog is a carrier, is affected, or is without Von Willebrand Disease.

There is no cure for Von Willebrands, so prevention by selective breeding is important.

Treatment for Von Willebrands

The first step of treatment is to stop the bleeding. This can be accomplished temporarily by a blood transfusion from a dog without the disease or with a drug called DDAVP.

In some dogs Von Willebrand Disease is associated with hypothyroidism, and so thyroid hormone supplements may be administered as well.

It’s important to mention that although von Willebrands Disease can be fatal for some dogs, others can live happily for their normal life span.

Von Willebrands Disease to Common Dog Health Problems

Von Willebrands Disease to Weimaraner Puppies