P2Y12 Receptor Platelet Disorder

Affected puppies may bleed abnormally when teething. You may notice extensive bruising or bleeding that does not stop following a traumatic event.

Signs may occur at any age but are most often recognized in young dogs during an elective surgery or following a trauma.

Genetic or laboratory testing is necessary to diagnose P2Y12 deficiency. If you have a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, you should absolutely test them for this disorder prior to surgery.

Currently there is no treatment for this disorder. If your dog must have surgery, your veterinarian should be prepared to provide multiple transfusions during and/or after the procedure.

Talk to your vet about your dog’s genetic result, as it could impact upcoming surgeries or procedures.

Be cautious with activities that could lead to injury, like rough play at dog parks or off-leash hikes.

To help stop minor bleeding, such as from a broken nail, keep basic first-aid supplies on hand, including bandaging material and styptic powder.

If your dog is injured, apply gentle pressure with gauze or a clean cloth to the wound. Keep your vet’s contact information handy in case the bleeding doesn’t stop within a few minutes.

This mutation was first identified in a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog that bled significantly following a spay. The disease arises from a mutation in the P2Y12 gene, which is required for platelets to aggregate and form the protective platelet "plug" in the event of tissue injury.

Penetrance: P2Y12 deficiency is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner, meaning that a dog must possess two copies of the mutation to show clinical signs of the disease.

Gene

P2Y12

Inheritance type

recessive

Clinical category

Hematologic

Citations

1. Boudreaux and Martin 2011

• Greater Swiss Mountain Dog