Severe, recessive von Willebrand's disease in German Wirehaired Pointers.
OBJECTIVE
To characterize the biochemical and genetic basis of a clinically severe form of von Willebrand's disease (vWD) in German Wirehaired Pointers.


METHODS
Case series.


METHODS
Plasma samples from 335 German Wirehaired Pointers (8 clinically affected).


METHODS
Plasma samples were evaluated, using an ELISA, to determine von Willebrand factor (vWF) antigen concentration. Additional studies performed on samples from clinically affected dogs included coagulation screening tests, factor VIII coagulant activity assays, and immunoelectrophoresis to determine vWF multimeric composition.


RESULTS
Mucosal bleeding and bleeding at sites of cutaneous injury were observed in affected dogs by 6 months old. Plasma vWF antigen concentration was markedly reduced, and there was a lack of high molecular weight vWF multimers; findings compatible with type-II vWD. Inheritance and expression pattern of vWD in this breed was most compatible with that of an autosomal recessive trait.


CONCLUSIONS
Von Willebrand's disease should be included in the differential diagnoses of bleeding diatheses in German Wirehaired Pointers, with definitive diagnosis confirmed on the basis of canine-specific vWF assays.
Brooks
M
M
Comparative Hematology Section, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
Raymond
S
S
Catalfamo
J
J
D000818:Animals; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D004285:Dogs; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel / Q000662:veterinary; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D005808:Genes, Recessive; D008297:Male; D008970:Molecular Weight; D010375:Pedigree; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014842:von Willebrand Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000662:veterinary*; D014841:von Willebrand Factor / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry
D014841:von Willebrand Factor