von Willebrand's Disease | AKC Canine Health Foundation
http://www.petwave.com/Dogs/Dog-Health-Center/Heart-and-Blood-Disorders/Von-Willebrand-Disease.as
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Von Willebrand's Disease
From the first article: <quote>It is very inaccurate as far as predicitng actual Vwd status which can be determined by DNA test. It only tells you the clotting factor and there a several things that can affect clotting factor other than Vwd.<quote>
Article two I got a 404 file not found.
Article three - <quote>It is also one reason Dobermans have such a lower survival rate of diseases such as Parvovirus, which attacks the gastro-intestinal tract and causes bleeding<quote>
It is generally thought this is true but there are not studies that prove it. There have also been a combinations of factors that are believed to be affected by Vwd but not necessarily proven. Hypothyrodism for one which the article does go on to address.
Dogs with von Willebrand's disease and those who are carriers should not be used for breeding.
Even Vet gene states you can't eliminate carriers or affectes from the gene pool without danger of destroying it by magnifying and concentrating other issues we really dont' want. But if you breed selective to clears you can eliminate it . I know I did. But I would breed an affected to a clear with no concern what so ever.
<Quote>It is also one reason Dobermans have such a lower survival rate of diseases such as Parvovirus, which attacks the gastro-intestinal tract and causes bleeding<quote>
It might play a factor but parvo in and of itself is deadly. Wo unless necropsy were done to determine bleed out one would not know. I would also like to see the study where they tested the remains for Vwd affected. Without it we are guessing on this one, but in theory it does make sense.
Dogs with type I disease have reduced but measurable levels of Von Willebrand factor (1 to 60 per cent). Animals that inherit the gene for type I vWD from both parents (homozygotes) die before birth or shortly thereafter<Quote>
I would think if this were true it would have eliminated itself as none would survive that were affected to breed and believe you me breeders would not breed any affectes if they had puppies dying. My problem with is this is thought to be the case but not sure the statistics prove it out.
Affected dogs have zero levels of vWF, while carrier parents have 15 to 60 per cent of normal levels.<quote>
I have a hard time with this one as for years we produced Vwd affecteds that survived surgeries etc and no problems. I personally had an affected bitch by Vet Gen DNA test who had crop/dock and at 2 had major surgery for blockage then went on to have 2 litters ALL with out single problem and there were no extra precautions taken because there was no great reason to be concerned.
Fourth article: <quote> dog may test differently on different days, when blood is drawn from different veins, when the dog is more excited, or if the dog is pregnant, so it may be necessary to test a dog several times before being comfortable with the result. This type of testing does not indicate what type of von Willebrand's disease is present and further testing by a technique called "electrophoresis" is needed to do this if one is interested. Knowing the Type of von Willebrand's disease is unlikely to change therapy thus testing is not commonly done.<quote>
So if it doesn't change therapy and testing is not commonly done then why now are they pushing all this test stuff as if a dog as 13% according to the above info the dog is not Vwd affected if affected have 0.
<quote>A hormone called DDAVP (or "desmopressin acetate") can be helpful as its use seems to cause a sudden release of von Willebrand's factor into the bloodstream. After a 30 minute onset period, the use of DDAVP shortens the bleeding time for approximately 2 hours after the after DDAVP injection<quote>
Why is this option not discussed since so few if any every have an issue of it especaily as younger dogs which is even less of a problem.
From the DPCA web site on Vwd - vWd (VON WILLEBRAND'S DISEASE) - is an autosomally (not sex linked) inherited bleeding disorder with a prolonged bleeding time and a mild to severe factor IX deficiency. Von Willebrand's factor antigens of 70% 180% are considered to be within the normal range for Dobermans. When dogs are tested through the Elisa assay blood test for vWD, they are tested for carrier status only NOT the disease. It is believed that carrier status tests (Elisa assay) are inaccurate if a dog is ill, received any medication or vaccination within 14 days of testing, pregnancy, bitches in heat or lactation. Stress conditions (infections, parasites, hormonal changes, trauma, surgery, emotional upset, etc.) may have an effect on the outcome of the vWD blood test and might be a contributing factor for bleeding tendencies. vWD carrier status is quite common in Dobermans. A DNA test for vWD is now available - genetically: clear, carrier (inherited one disease gene), affected (inherited two disease genes) - results are not effected by stress conditions, etc.
From the vet gen web site:
vonWillebrand's disease (vWD) results from a
qualitative or quantitative abnormality of vWf. It is the
most common hereditary bleeding disorder in dogs and has
been described in several breeds.
4
Clinical signs of the
disease include spontaneous bleeding from mucosal
surfaces and excess blood loss after surgery or trauma. von
Willebrand's disease is classified into 3 major categories,
types I-III.
5
In type-I vWd, there is a proportionate
decrease in all vWf multimers. In type II , vWd, the large
multimers are reduced or absent and may be qualitatively
abnormal. In type-III vWd, vWf is not detectable.
Type-I
vWd occurs in many breeds of dogs and is particularly
prevalent in Doberman Pinschers, with reported prevalence
of 70%.
6
Type-II vWd has been described in German
Shorthaired Pointers, and type-III vWd occurs in Scottish
Terriers and Chesapeake Bay Retrievers.
6
vWD Type I
In 1996 VetGen scientists, in collaboration with the University of Michigan and Michigan State University, proudly announced the discovery of the mutation that causes Type I von Willebrand's Disease (vWD) and the offering of a DNA test to detect vWD in the above breeds.
My conclusions - There is a lot of info floating around out there and it takes a dedicated person to sift through it all to try to come up with the true picture. 2600 is outrageous for something that a vitamin K shot or DDVP seems to be the most reasonable decision if one wants to even take the precautions. There is risk in surgery regardless so in that case based on this extreme precautions we should stop all spay/neuters to avoid all risk period.
Honestly I am glad this thread came up a s surely we are all learning things.
It's just money right! I wouldn't do anything till all the hustle and bustle from the holidays are over either. If Tasha hadn't had the bleeding episodes we would have probably not even known right away. You might look into care credit. I took it out when we first got Tasha. It has an interest free period and you can use it for yourself or your pet. It is good to have on hand if there is an emergency, of course all we have had is emergencies 
!!!! Thats why I never went back to the states and married a Canadian. I LOVE socialized health care 
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