Von Willebrand’s disease (vWD) is the most common inherited bleeding disorder in dogs. Although dogs of any breed (even mixed breeds) can have vWD, certain breeds are more prone to it than others. Doberman pinschers, Welsh corgis, German shepherds, and Scottish terriers account for most clinical cases of vWD. Scotties develop a more severe form of the disease than do other breeds.
To understand vWD, we need to understand how blood normally clots. When a blood vessel is damaged, blood platelets or thrombocytes quickly adhere to the damaged blood-vessel lining (endothelium), creating a temporary plug and slowing blood loss. Simultaneously, the endothelium releases an enzyme that activates clotting factors circulating in the blood, which, in turn, form fibrin - a strand-like material that wraps around the platelet plug to produce a sturdy and permanent clot. Von Willebrand factor (vWF) is a protein that helps platelets adhere to the endothelium and may also improve clot formation. Dogs with vWD have abnormally low levels of vWF, so the initial plug is slow to form. A vWD pup’s gums may bleed while it’s teething, and a vWD dog may have spontaneous nosebleeds and blood in its stool. Affected dogs may also have prolonged bleeding from small or superficial wounds. Excessive bleeding can lead to anemia, shock, and (if untreated) death.
Dobermans typically suffer from Type I vWD, which is the mildest form.
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