VON WILLEBRAND'S DISEASE

 

It is a haemophilia-like disease, typified by the reduced quantity or absence of a certain clotting factor in the plasma. The factor is a glycoprotein and is necessary for the normal platelet function of blood clotting.

 

It should be noted that vWD is not a death sentence for dogs, in fact many dogs with the disease can live quite normal lives and show no complications e.g. carriers of the recessive form who do not have the disease - Affected who do not have bleeding episodes. With careful mating strategies and genetic screening, the breeder can begin to bring the percentage of carriers or affected in their pedigree down and make an impact on the levels seen in different breeds.

 

 Readings for vWD are as follows:

 

CLEAR  

 no presence of the disease gene and cannot pass on any disease gene.

***

   CARRIER

  One copy of the disease gene is present, however the animal does not exhibit any symptoms of the disease. Therefore no medical problems arise. Carriers will pass on the disease gene to 50% of their offspring.

***

AFFECTED

  Two copies of the disease gene are present. The animal will always pass on the disease gene (mutation) to its offspring.

***

See Table Below For Mating Results

 

  IDEAL MATING     

 CLEAR TO CLEAR

100% CLEAR PUPPIES

SAFE BREEDING

 CLEAR TO CARRIER

50% CLEAR PUPPIES / 50% CARRIER PUPPIES

 CLEAR TO AFFECTED

100% CARRIER PUPPIES

NOT RECOMMENDED FOR BREEDING, AS SOME OR

ALL OF THE PUPPIES WILL BE AFFECTED

 CARRIER TO CARRIER

25% AFFECTED PUPPIES

 CARRIER TO AFFECTED

50% AFFECTED PUPPIES

 AFFECTED TO AFFECTED

100% AFFECTED PUPPIES

 

FOR INFORMATION ONLY

The Kennel Club’s DNA testing scheme for Von Willebrand’s Disease, which is run in conjunction with the Dobermann Breed Council, started in June 2003 and continues to be popular.

The Kennel Club enables breeders and owners to take advantage of a bulk-testing rate by posting the samples together in large batches. Owners are therefore required to send their samples to the Kennel Club within a specific time frame each month so that they are as fresh as possible when tested.

Full details about how to take and when to send the samples are contained in the testing kit that is sent out from the Kennel Club. To obtain further information or to apply for a testing kit please contact: The Health and Information Department, The Kennel Club, 1-5 Clarges St, Piccadilly, London, W1J 8AB. Email: info@thekennelclub.org.uk Telephone: 020 7518 1027.