CANINE VONWILLEBRANDS DISEASE - PATHOBIOLOGY, DIAGNOSIS, AND SHORT-TERM TREATMENT

Normal platelet adherence at high shear rates requires von Willebrand factor (vWf); this factor is a plasma protein that binds coagulation factor VIII. Dogs deficient in von Willebrand factor have prolonged buccal mucosal bleeding time, normal platelet counts, and decreased botrocetin cofactor (BCf) activity. Inherited canine von Willebrand's disease is classified as types I, II, and III; all three types are based on the quantity and function of von Willebrand factor. Current methods of treatment include therapy with deamino 8-D-arginine vasopressin or thyroxine or transfusion of plasma or cryoprecipitate; because it is effective and reliable, transfusion of cryoprecipitate is the treatment of choice for von Willebrand's disease.