Hemophilia A
Factor VIII deficiency (Hemophilia A) is a type of coagulopathy, a disorder of blood clotting. Dogs with this disorder can bleed spontaneously into their chest, abdomen, or joints. They will also develop significant bruising and profuse bleeding following a trauma or surgery.
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Signs and symptoms
Affected puppies may bleed abnormally when teething. You may notice extensive bruising or bleeding that does not stop following a traumatic event. If spontaneous bleeding occurs, you may notice that your dog has swollen joints, difficulty breathing, and/or a pendulous abdomen.
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.Uncover health risks with Embark
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Diagnosis
Genetic or laboratory tests are performed to diagnose this condition.
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Treatment
Currently, treatment for Hemophilia A focuses on prevention, vigilant monitoring, and quick treatment of spontaneous bleeds. Dogs with Hemophilia A are at great risk for uncontrollable bleeding during surgical procedures: your veterinarian should be informed so that appropriate blood products are at hand in case a transfusion is required. There is no definitive cure, though scientists have made progress correcting Hemophilia A with protein replacement and gene therapy in a laboratory setting.
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What to do if your dog is at risk
Actions
- 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.
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Genetic Information
This variant was first identified in Boxers.
Factor VIII deficiency has a sex-linked recessive inheritance pattern, which means that the gene is on the X chromosome. Females have two X chromosomes and must inherit two abnormal copies to be affected with this disease. Males have only one X chromosome and either have a normal copy of the gene or the mutation. If they have the mutation, they will have abnormal clotting.
Gene names:
F8 Exon 10 ‐ chr
Inheritance type:
X-linked recessive
Citations:
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Breeds affected
This health condition affects the following breeds
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