Factor VII Deficiency

Affected dogs bruise easily and can excessively bleed from small wounds. Affected puppies may bleed excessively from their mouth when teething. A subset of dogs that test positive for Factor VII deficiency appear perfectly normal.

This disease is typically diagnosed in puppies or young adults when they are spayed or neutered and have a problem with clotting. However, it can be diagnosed at any age.

Factor VII deficiency is diagnosed through genetic testing and blood testing at a laboratory. Veterinarians may also nick a dog’s lip with a sterile needle and time how long it takes for clotting to occur.

Factor VII deficiency cannot be treated, only managed.

Talk to your vet about your dog’s Factor VII Deficiency result before any surgeries or dental procedures, as it may influence how they prepare.

Many dogs with this result never show symptoms or develop health problems related to this variant.

Penetrance: Factor VII deficiency is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner, meaning that affected dogs must have two copies of the mutation to show clinical signs.

Gene

F7 Exon 5

Inheritance type

recessive

Clinical category

Hematologic

Citations

1. Callan et al 2006
2. Donner et al 2016

• Airedale Terrier
• Alaskan Malamute
• American Foxhound
• Beagle
• Finnish Hound
• Foxhound
• German Wirehaired Pointer
• Giant Schnauzer
• Irish Water Spaniel
• Japanese Spitz
• Alaskan Klee Kai
• Papillon
• Scottish Deerhound
• Welsh Springer Spaniel