Dog hereditary diseases

Description
von Willebrand disease (vWD) is one of the most common inherited diseases associated with blood clotting problems. Symptoms of the disease are similar to hemophilia, which is why von Willebrand disease is sometimes called pseudohemophilia.

The cause of the disease is a quantitative deficiency and / or qualitative impairment of von Willebrand factor, a multimeric glycoprotein required for platelet adhesion to collagen at sites of damage to the vascular wall. This factor also binds to coagulation factor VIII and protects it from proteolysis. Typically, vWD is hereditary, but acquired forms are also found.

The third type among all types of von Willebrand disease has the most severe course of the disease and is characterized by the complete absence of von Willebrand factor. Affected dogs are easily bruised and often suffer from nosebleeds and tooth loss. Unstoppable bleeding after injury or surgery can kill the animal. Von Willebrand disease type III has been described in Scotch Terriers, Shelties, Kooikerhondje and Chesapeake Bay Retrievers.

Autosomal recessive type of inheritance. Heterozygotes for the mutation have a reduced factor level, but do not show signs of the disease.

Symptoms
The most characteristic and specific symptom of vWD is bleeding from the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, and internal organs. The manifestation of vWD can vary in severity depending on the individual characteristics of the dog. In a mild form, the disease is characterized by moderate bleeding, in more serious cases, extensive and extremely severe.

Diagnostics
Characteristic changes in the behavior and physiology of the dog.