von Willebrand's Disease

Any dog breed, including Dobermans, is prone to certain diseases more than other ones. A disease that Doberman breeders and owners should look out for is von Willebrand's Disease (vWD).

vWD is like hemophilia in humans. It inhibits the blood from clotting correctly, so that the afflicted creature bleed profusely from what would otherwise be superficial wounds. This makes injuries or illnesses for vWD dogs a very serious situation. A bite from wild animals or viscous dogs could be fatal. Even altering or corrective surgery can be deadly.

The trouble with vWD is that it’s difficult to track because it is a recessive disease and healthy parents can be carriers and give birth to affected puppies. Both genders can be affected.

The disease is also difficult to detect in dogs until a bleeding incident occurs. Unfortunately, this can occur at any time, whether the dog is two blocks from the animal hospital or hiking on remote mountain trails.

New owners can end up with a puppy that can easily bleed to death since they are unaware of the illness and testing is so far ineffective. Another result is the furtherance of vWD if the new owner breeds the affected puppy later. This is how vWD spreads to later generations.

Many conscientious breeders try using different tests for vWD, but the results are often skewed. The dogs’ heat cycles, thyroid activity, and hormonal factors can impact the tests. This can result in false positives, or, cases of affected dogs appearing normal after testing. Although these breeders are to be commended for their responsible attitude and effort in stopping vWD, the testing, unfortunately, is not foolproof.

Currently, there is no treatment for vWD beyond regular first aid and rushing the injured animal to the animal hospital. Even with the best first aid and top-quality treatment, a vWD dog may not make it, but his chances are certainly improved.

Take a first aid class and keep a first aid kit at your home, in your vehicle, and in your hiking pack. Keep with the first aid kit written directions to your regular vet’s office. In an emergency, you may be so upset that you forget the way. Keep the phone number in the same place so someone can call ahead on the way to save precious minutes. Also keep directions to the nearest emergency animal hospital that is open the hours your vet is closed, or, write down the “after hours” of the regular vet.

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