Von Willebrand Disease Type I, Type I vWD

VWF

Blood

Dogs with this blood clotting condition have reduced levels of an important clotting protein. Bleeding is usually mild to moderate and often only noticed after injury or surgery, and some dogs may never show any signs at all.

Signs and symptoms

Affected dogs may show no obvious clinical signs or they may bruise easily and excessively bleed from small wounds. Affected puppies may bleed excessively from their mouth when teething.

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.

Diagnosis

Treatment

What to do if your dog is at risk

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.

Genetic information

This mutation was first identified in Doberman Pinschers.

Penetrance: vWD Type I is inherited in an incomplete dominant manner, meaning that dogs with both one and two copies of this variant may be at increased risk of excessive bleeding. However, dogs with one copy of the variant are unlikely to show the same severity of clinical signs as a dog with two copies of the variant.

Gene: VWF
Inheritance type: incomplete dominance
Clinical category: Hematologic