Pets, Standard Poodle: The Fact About Von Willebrand Disease
Von Willebrand's disease (vWD) is a common inherited bleeding disorder in dogs and other animals (humans as well). Both male and female dogs can suffer from this condition. Discovered by a Finnish doctor named, von Willebrand, the disease is associated with a missing factor in the blood's clotting ability. This missing factor is called von Willebrand factor (vWF), a protein that helps improve clot formation.
Normally, when the blood vessel is damaged, the body responds in such a way to slow blood loss (activation of platelets, coagulation process). Lack of this von Willebrand factor leads to abnormal platelet function and prolonged bleeding times. Thus a Standard Poodle with vWD are prone to bleeding problems such as nose bleeds, bleeding from the gums especially during teething and prolonged bleeding even from small wounds. Bleeding can also happen in the joints and in the stomach or intestine in which case the stool or urine may have blood in it. Increased bleeding can lead to anemia, trauma and death if untreated.
An affected dog may either have no symptoms or unnoticeable bleeding episodes, that is why the disease is often diagnosed when the dog reaches three to five years old. Diagnosis of the disease is made through specialized tests - genetic test and von Willebrand factor measurement. After the correct diagnosis has been made, your vet will prescribe treatment to control the bleeding. Though you can be able to control the bleeding by applying prolonged pressure, cautery or sutures maybe required in some circumstances. In the cases of severe bleeding, transfusion of blood collected from healthy dogs is administered. Thyroid supplements may also be used to control bleeding once found out that the dog is hypothyroid. A drug called desmopressin acetate (DDAVP), administered intranasally may also be used to help dogs with a bleeding episode.
Despite the breakthrough in technology and medicine, there is no medication known to cure the disease and increase the level of vWF. However, this can be prevented through selective breeding. Affected dogs should not be included in any breeding program in order to eliminate the spread of the disease.
Richard Cussons writes information articles on different breeds of dog such as the Standard Poodle. Learn more about Standard Poodle training at poodlesavvy.com.
Related Tags: standard poodle, standard poodle training
Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- The Time I Had a Pet Blue Wasp
A lot of people have pets such as dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, turtles and some even have snakes and - Why Should You Buy Barking Collars For Dogs?
You love your dog but he always barks and misbehaves. It is very upsetting for owners to have dogs t - What to Consider Before Adopting a Dog
There may be plenty of occasions in your life when a puppy crosses your path and desperately needs a - What Do Pet Insurance Policies Cover?
The most basic pet insurance policies simply cover vet bills. More advanced policies can cover every - Dog Walkers Are They For You
If you own a dog then you will know how important it is to ensure that it is walked often to keep th - Creating the Right First Aid Kit For Your Dog
Most of us have some type of first aid kit in our homes. They are necessary for those small bumps an - Deciding to Crate Your Dog For Training
There are several different ways that you may decide to use to train your new dog and they are all v - What to Know About Diets For Dogs
Weight seems to be a struggle for just about anyone, and that is true in the world of dogs. In fact, - Dog Training Basics - Important Tips to Remember
Training your dog is important. It's important for his safety, your safety, the safety of your prope - Don't Go Raising Sheep For Wool Without Reading This!
There are many possible reasons why people choose to raise sheep. Some do it as a means of livelihoo
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Chesapeake Bay Retriever Puppy And Dog Information
The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is not an apartment dog. She needs plenty of room to exercise and havin - How To Choose The Right Dog Trainer
Choosing a trainer is a very important decision and one that requires a fair amount of research and - Can Greenies Dog Treats Recover From Death?
A Makeover For Greenies(r) Treats Months after a series of lawsuits and media attention alleged the - Dog Treats - How to Choose Healthy Treats for Your Dog
Your dog is indeed your best friend and how you feed him or her is very important. Even small items - How to Choose A Good Dog Trainer
If you find that you are not being successful in training your own dog, or maybe you don't have the - Dog Breeds and Asthma Sufferers: Are Hypoallergenic Breeds Always Best?
The first important consideration is to understand exactly what hypoallergenic dog breeds are. In sh - Audubon Bird Feeders
Bird watching is an enjoyable hobby for many of us. We love the antics of the different birds as - Must Have Accessories For Your Fish Tank
When many individuals think of fish tank accessories, decorations are often the first thing that com - The Beautifull Hummingbirds
The hummingbirds diet requires nectar as a source of energy and for their protein source small insec - Clumber Spaniel Puppy And Dog Information
The Clumber Spaniel is an intelligent, calm dog great for apartments as they do not need a great dea