Facing sterilization, a dental cleaning, or any routine surgical intervention brings the hope that everything will go well. However, for owners of certain dog breeds, there is a latent fear: that a small wound could trigger uncontrolled bleeding due to a hidden clotting disorder.
At Koko Genetics, we know that the peace of mind of caring for your best friend begins with prevention. That's why today we explain what Von Willebrand disease (vWD) is—a silent threat that every dog owner should know about.
What is Von Willebrand disease in dogs?
Von Willebrand disease (vWD) is the most common inherited bleeding disorder in canines. It is caused by a deficiency or anomaly in the Von Willebrand protein, which has the crucial task of helping platelets adhere to damaged blood vessels to stop bleeding.
As a completely silent problem in day-to-day life, many affected dogs show no obvious symptoms until they undergo surgery or suffer trauma, at which point the bleeding can become critical.
Types of Von Willebrand disease and predisposed breeds
The severity and manifestation of this pathology vary depending on the degree of involvement, dividing into three main types:
- Von Willebrand Disease Type 1 (VWF gene) (The most frequent and mildest): Characterized by low concentrations of the clotting protein. It is the typical type in breeds such as the Doberman Pinscher, Golden Retriever, Pembroke Welsh Corgi, or Poodle.
- Von Willebrand Disease Type 2 (VWF gene) (Qualitative abnormalities): The protein is present, but does not function correctly. It is a less common form, but characteristic in breeds such as the German Shorthaired Pointer.
- Von Willebrand Disease Type 3 (VWF gene) (The most severe form): There is a total absence of the Von Willebrand factor. It causes spontaneous or severe bleeding from minor injuries, and is common in the Scottish Terrier or the Kooikerhondje.
How is it transmitted?
The vast majority of variants of this pathology follow an autosomal recessive model (or dominant with incomplete penetrance depending on the breed). This means that a dog can appear completely healthy, run happily through the park, and look like it has ironclad health, but secretly carry the mutation and pass it on to its offspring.
The best way to protect your canine's health is clinical anticipation. We don't have to wait for a scare in the operating room.
Will my dog have Von Willebrand disease?
Thanks to the dog DNA test from Koko Genetics, professionals can know the animal's hemostatic profile in advance before any intervention. Knowing whether a dog is clear, a carrier, or affected avoids critical medical emergency situations, allowing the surgeon to prepare support protocols, administer plasma preventively, or take specific measures if necessary.
At Koko Genetics, we help you transform uncertainty into medical security so that every surgery is as routine and safe as it should be.
