Embark for Veterinarians

Applied Clinical Genetics Case Library
Case 13

Signalment & History
Signalment:
  • 12-week-old rescue puppy 
  • Intact female
  • Presumed poodle
History:
  • Screened for breed ancestry results
  • Diet: Purina Pro Plan; HW Preventive: compliant; Flea/Tick Preventive: compliant; Fecal/Parasite Exam and Tx: up to date
Presenting Complaint
  • Routine puppy visit (Vet recommended “Genetic Screening Program”)
Physical Exam
  • Temp: 102.1 F; Pulse: 120 bpm; Respiration: 25/min; MM: pink/moist CRT: 2 sec; BCS: 4/9; Eyes: wnl; Ears: wnl; Mouth: wnl; LN’s: wnl; Cardio: Grade I heart murmur; Resp: wnl; Abd: wnl; GI: wnl; MS: wnl; CNS: wnl
  • Hemogram-CBC & Diff
  • Von Willebrand Factor VWF:Ag% Assay Test
  • Avoid drawing blood from jugular veins. Use saphenous veins.
  • Hemogram – All wnl
  • VWF:Ag% assay testing
    • Result: 20%
  • Yes. Any result less than 49% is abnormal.
  • This dog has 20% of the concentration of VWF that a normal dog would have compared to a 100% standard.
  • von Willebrand Disease confirmed (Any result less than 50% is abnormal; <35% is at-risk for bleeding)
  • Refer to clinic that has blood on hand for ovariectomy. The owner was in contact with the families that adopted his littermates and informed them that their dogs should be tested for vWD prior to surgery.
  • Perform ovariectomy (rather than ovariohysterectomy) with plasma products or desmopressin acetate (DDAVP) administered pre-op. The dog should also be more closely monitored post operatively.
  • Activated Clotting Time (ACT) for a dog with normal clotting capacity is approximately between 55-120 seconds for canine patients, but this depends on the type of collection tube used, the temperature, and other additional factors.