Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Bleeding disorder (von Willebrand disease) in a quarter horse.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 1991
- Authors:
- Brooks, M et al.
- Affiliation:
- New York State Department of Health · United States
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A young Quarter Horse filly was found to have a bleeding disorder called von Willebrand disease, which caused her to bleed easily, especially from her mucous membranes and after injuries. Tests showed that she had a specific lack of a protein called von Willebrand factor (vWF) that helps blood clot, which is similar to what is seen in humans with the same condition. Thanks to new testing methods that are used for people and smaller animals, veterinarians can now diagnose this bleeding disorder in horses. The treatment and management of her condition can now be better understood based on these findings.
Abstract
Bleeding diathesis in a Quarter Horse filly was caused by von Willebrand disease. Hemorrhage occurred mainly from mucosal surfaces and after trauma. Quantitative and qualitative measurements of plasma von Willebrand factor (vWF) documented a specific deficiency of vWF high molecular weight multimers, and concurrently greater than expected deficiency of vWF activity relative to vWF concentration. These findings are characteristic of type-II von Willebrand disease in human beings. Application of vWF assays used in human and small animal medicine now permits evaluation of vWF and diagnosis of von Willebrand disease in horses with bleeding disorders.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/1995565/