Von Willebrand Disease Type III in Dogs

Category: Blood
Breeds documented: 3
Published sources: 7

Overview

Type III von Willebrand disease causes a severe shortage, or complete absence, of a blood protein called von Willebrand factor. That protein helps stop bleeding after a blood vessel is damaged. Affected dogs can bleed heavily after minor injuries or surgery, and bleeding may also begin without an obvious injury. This is a severe form of an inherited bleeding disorder.

Signs to watch for

Bleeding from the gums or nose
Easy bruising
Unusually heavy bleeding from small wounds
Blood in urine or stools
Excessive bleeding after surgery

Bleeding may become apparent in puppyhood, including during teething.

Emergency Go to an emergency vet now if your dog is bleeding heavily.

Diagnosis and tests

Vets use a specialized blood test to measure the amount of von Willebrand factor circulating in the bloodstream. Dogs with Type III disease have extremely low levels. DNA tests can identify certain breed-specific variants, while blood testing helps assess the bleeding risk.

Breeds with documented risk

3 breeds

By breed size

2 Small
1 Medium

Shetland SheepdogSmall · Herding Group
Scottish TerrierSmall · Terrier Group
Nederlandse KooikerhondjeMedium · Sporting Group

Inheritance

Not yet known
None of the sources we use states how this is inherited in dogs yet.

We've gathered what published sources say about this condition, so you can talk it through with your vet. It isn't veterinary advice: you and your vet know your dog best.