Von Willebrand’s Disease (VWD) in Dogs

Overview of Von Willebrand’s Disease (VWD) in Dogs

Von Willebrand’s disease (vWD) is caused by a deficiency of von Willebrand’s factor (vWF), one of the elements that allow blood to form clots. Von Willebrand’s disease can cause prolonged or excessive bleeding in dogs.

VWD is a hereditary defect that is passed from parents to offspring through genetic material. Inheritance is complicated, but vWD is equally likely to affect males and females, and one affected parent can pass the condition to his offspring. Many different dog breeds can be affected with vWD and different breeds are prone to different subtypes of the disease.

The severity of vWD varies from dog to dog, but in most, it becomes a problem only when surgery is needed or if the dog is injured.

What to Watch For

Symptoms of Von Willebrand’s Disease (VWD) in Dogs may include:

Diagnosis of Von Willebrand’s Disease (VWD) in Dogs

VWD cannot be diagnosed definitively with routine in-hospital testing but requires specialized tests. Diagnostic tests are needed to recognize vWD and exclude other diseases. These tests may include:

Treatment of Von Willebrand’s Disease (VWD) in Dogs

Home Care and Prevention

Provide soft padded areas for your dog to lie on. Minimize the chance of injury by observing and fixing any sharp corners, such as on doggie doors. It is usually not necessary to limit activity as spontaneous bleeding is not common. If your dog should begin bleeding, seek veterinary assistance immediately.

Because it is a hereditary disease, an animal born with vWD cannot be cured. Do not breed dogs that have vWD. Although careful breeding can minimize the incidence of vWD, a complex inheritance pattern makes elimination of the disease in a breed difficult.

Minimize the chance of injury by keeping your dog confined either in a fenced area or on a leash when outdoors. If your dog should begin bleeding, seek veterinary assistance immediately.

Inform any veterinarian treating your dog about his vWD. This is especially important prior to surgical procedures. Inform any groomer handling your dog about his condition; they will use extra care in clipping and trimming nails and can be prepared if a cut occurs.

In-depth Information on Canine Von Willebrand’s Disease (VWD)

An analogy can be made between the body’s natural ability to stop bleeding (coagulation) and the application of a bandage to stop bleeding. The “gauze” of the bandage is formed by the aggregation, or clumping, of blood cells called platelets. The “tape” that holds the “gauze” in place is formed by triggering soluble coagulation factors in the blood to solidify on the clumped platelets. von Willebrand’s factor, which is deficient in dogs with vWD, is partially responsible for the clumping of the platelets. von Willebrand’s disease is only one of many potential causes of excessive or prolonged bleeding in the dog. Other causes of bleeding may include:

In-depth Information on Diagnosis of Von Willebrand’s Disease (VWD) in Dogs

Diagnostic tests are needed to recognize vWD and exclude other diseases. Tests may include: