- Type Disease
Blood
- Name
Coagulation disorders
- Abbreviation
CDx
- Description
Normally the body responds to an injury that causes bleeding through a complex defence system. This consists of local changes in the damaged blood vessels, activation of blood cells called platelets, and the coagulation (clotting) process. Most inherited bleeding disorders are the result of abnormal platelet function or a deficiency in one or more of the factors involved in the blood clotting system. The most serious and common inherited coagulation disorders in dogs are hemophilia(deficiency of factor VIII or IX) and von Willebrand's disease (lack of von Willebrand factor).\n\nOther coagulation disorders are discussed here. These abnormalities of specific clotting factors are much less common and usually cause a milder type of bleeding disorder. Inherited deficiencies of factors I (fibrinogen), II (prothrombin), VII (proconvertin), X (Stuart factor), XI (PTA), and XII (Hageman factor) have been identified, most commonly in purebred dogs but also in mixed breed dogs.
- How Transferred
Other than hemophilia, disorders of clotting factors are inherited as autosomal traits, primarily autosomal recessive. These uncommon deficiencies have been identified in the following breeds: Factor I (hypofibroginemia) - Saint Bernard; factor II - boxer; factor VII - beagle; factor X - American cocker spaniel, Jack Russell terrier; factor XI - springer spaniel, Great Pyrenees, Kerry blue terrier; factor XII - miniature poodle
- What to Look for
Other than hemophilia, disorders of clotting factors are inherited as autosomal traits, primarily autosomal recessive. These uncommon deficiencies have been identified in the following breeds: Factor I (hypofibroginemia) - Saint Bernard; factor II - boxer; factor VII - beagle; factor X - American cocker spaniel, Jack Russell terrier; factor XI - springer spaniel, Great Pyrenees, Kerry blue terrier; factor XII - miniature poodle
- Diagnosis
A deficiency of factor XII usually causes few problems and is only discovered incidentally if coagulation testing is done. Deficiencies of factor VII or XI may only be discovered when surgery is performed or if your dog is in an accident. In both these cases there will likely be increased bleeding which can be slow in onset and difficult to control, and your veterinarian will suspect a coagulation disorder. Special screening tests are required to diagnose the specific clotting factors involved.
- Treatment
A dog with a factor XI deficiency may require one or more blood transfusions if there is severe bleeding after surgery or an accident.
- Breeding Considerations
Affected dogs should not be used for breeding, and parents and siblings should be carefully screened for these traits. It is possible to detect carriers, based on the levels of factor activity. Many cocker spaniel breeders for example, have had their breeding dogs tested for factor X deficiency, reducing the frequency of this harmful gene in the cocker spaniel population.
- Known Breeds Affected
Boxer\nCocker spaniel, American\nEnglish springer spaniel\nGreat Pyrenees\nKerry blue terrier\nPoodle, miniature\nSaint Bernard\nParson (Jack) Russell terrier
