Genetic disorders, including disorders of the blood and lymphatic system, in dogs are well linked to specific breeds. If your dog is a purebred, it is relatively easy for your vet to determine if the dog is at risk of a specific genetic disorder.
In the past, owners of mixed breed dogs had had a harder time determining if their dog was at risk for an inherited genetic disorder. That’s changed now that mixed breed Dog DNA tests have come on the market. These tests can help you determine if your dog has a parent or grandparent that was a purebred. Understanding the purebred makeup of your mixed breed dog can help your vet determine if your dog is at risk of inheritied genetic disorders.
In dogs, problems with the blood and lymph systems that have an inherited component include:
- Autoimmune hemolytic anemia
- Basset hound thrombopathia
- Coagulation (bleeding) disorders
- Cyclic hematopoiesis
- Hemophilia
- Histiocytoma
- Histiocytosis
- Immune-mediated thrombocytopenia
- Lymphedema
- Phosphofructokinase (PFK) deficiency
- Pyruvate kinase (PK) deficiency
- Rare red blood cell abnormalities
- Thrombasthenic thrombopathia
- Von Willebrand’s Disease
von Willebrand’s Disease
von Willebrand’s Disease is a common blood disorder among dogs (and people, as well). It is usually mild, and is caused by the lack of a clotting factor in the blood. Dogs with von Willebrand’s Disease will bleed longer and more often than other dogs. They may have nosebleeds, and have more bleeding during surgeries (like neutering or spaying). In many dogs, von Willebrand’s Disease is not serious, but in a smaller majority it can be severe.
von Willebrand’s Disease is an inherited disorder. Genetic testing for von Willebrand’s Disease is available for the following breeds:
- Bernese Mountain Dog
- Drentsche Patrijshond
- Doberman Pinscher
- German Pinscher
- Kerry Blue Terrier
- Manchester Terrier
- Papillon
- Pembroke Welsh Corgi
- Poodle
von Willebrand’s Disease is seen in many different breeds and mixed breed dogs. It is common in these breeds:
- Doberman Pinscher
- Scottish Terriers
- Shetland Sheepdog
Other breeds that have a higher than normal chance of von Willebrand’s Disease are:
- Basset Hound
- Chesapeake Bay Retriever
- German Shepherd
- German Shorthaired Pointers
- Golden Retriever
- Miniature Dachshund
- Miniature Poodle
- Miniature Schnauzer
- Keeshond
- Manchester Terrier
- Rottweiler
- Standard Dachshund
- Standard Poodle
- Welsh Pembroke Corgi