Category: blood diseases

Yes, if they are tested. Some routine measurements of blood clotting are normal in dogs with vWD, e.g. they have normal numbers of platelets in their blood and normal amounts of the other proteins involved in blood clotting.

A simple screening test known as the Buccal Mucosa Bleeding Time (BMBT) is used to check for effective blood clotting. If this test is prolonged or suspicious (i.e. if a stable blood clot is not forming), a measurement of von Willebrands factor in the plasma is made. Affected dogs will have abnormally low levels of vWF or perhaps abnormalities in the molecular composition of the vWF.

Testing is generally only done where there is suspicion of disease or in dogs facing major surgery. If you have any suspicions that your dog’s bleeding time is abnormal then testing would be sensible. Continued bleeding for hours after minor injuries, eg a torn nail, superficial skin wounds, loss of a tooth, all point towards a possible blood clotting problem. In normal dogs bleeding should stop after 10-20 minutes.

Dogs which are already bleeding can be treated with plasma or blood transfusions from healthy dogs. The healthy plasma contains vWF which the body can then use to assist blood clotting. Cryoprecipitate is a concentrated form of vWF and is ideal but not always available. Drug treatment using a substance known as vasopressin is also possible though this drug may not always be kept in many general practices.

If these treatments are not possible or available, intravenous drips are given to replace fluid losses in blood together with surgical or other measures to stop bleeding.

No, in an attempt to limit occurrence of this disease breeding should not occur. Screening of potential breeding animals should be carried out beforehand, if possible, in an attempt to pick up animals not showing any symptoms, but carrying the disease. This is relevant in Dobermans particularly, since this is the breed most commonly associated with the disease.

In the early stages, there may be few symptoms of anaemia. This is especially the case if anaemia develops very gradually because the body tends to adapt to the anaemia. The first sign of anaemia may be low energy levels and general weakness due to reduced oxygen supply to the muscles. Anaemic animals often have a poor appetite. In severe cases more dramatic signs may be seen such as collapse and rapid breathing. If you lift your dogs lips you may notice that its gums are pale or even white.

Your vet will be able to examine your dog more closely to identify the signs of anaemia. Depending on what is causing the anaemia, there may also be other changes such as jaundice or a swollen belly. Making the diagnosis of anaemia is usually relatively straightforward, however your vet may need to perform a number of tests to find out what is causing the anaemia. It is important to establish the cause of anaemia in order to treat the underlying condition.

Common tests that may be required include:

• Blood tests: these allow an assessment of the severity of the anaemia, and also in some cases indicate why it is occurring. A large number and variety of tests may be required; tests are often repeated frequently to assess progress and response to treatment.
• X-rays and ultrasound scans: these may be used to look for internal problems causing the anaemia, eg blood loss into the abdomen or chest, or perhaps cancers.
• Biopsies: especially of the bone marrow, to assess its function and to look for abnormalities. Tumours may also be biopsied to help in planning treatment.

Anaemia can develop in a number of ways. The simplest is severe blood loss from the body, e.g. after an accident. This process is called haemorrhage and arises when arteries or veins are damaged, allowing blood to escape from the circulation. First aid in accident and emergency situations is designed to limit blood loss as much as possible.

Haemorrhage can also occur much more slowly if small amounts of blood are lost from the body over a prolonged period of time. This type of bleeding is often associated with cancers which bleed within the body. If blood loss is occurring slowly, particularly if bleeding is into the urine or faeces it is sometimes not noticed until signs of anaemia develop. In these cases the anaemia may be quite severe before signs are noticed because the body has time to get used to the lower oxygen levels.

There are many other causes of anaemia which are seen regularly in dogs. The anaemia generally arises because either there is a problem with red blood cell production or the cells are being destroyed in larger numbers than normal. If the bone marrow cannot produce red blood cells at the same rate as they are being lost then replacement of old cells does not occur and anaemia eventually develops.

If the bone marrow is working properly red cell production will be stepped up if the animal becomes anaemic. As the cells are produced and released more quickly from the marrow young red cells appear in the blood. These cells can be detected on a blood test and indicate that the bone marrow is responding to the problem. If the bone marrow is not functioning normally new cells are not produced.

One of the challenges for the veterinary surgeon is to determine exactly why the anaemia is occurring, and how the body is responding. It is important to investigate all anaemias so that the correct treatment can be worked out.

Effective treatment depends on the diagnosis of the underlying problem. Surgical or medical options may be available depending on the cause. If the immune system is destroying red blood cells within the body then drugs can be given to modify the actions of the immune system. Certain blood parasites may cause anaemia and these can be treated with appropriate medication. Surgery may be needed, for example to remove a bleeding cancer in the spleen.