von Willebrand's disease in Dobermann dogs in Australia

Abstract

SUMMARY Over a 5‐year period (1988–92), von Willebrand factor antigen (vWf:Ag) concentrations were determined on plasma samples from 614 Dobermanns. The vWf:Ag concentration was < 50 canine units (CU)/dL in 373 dogs (61%); these dogs were classified as carriers of the von Willebrand's disease (vWD) gene. In order to identify which dogs were at risk of haemorrhage due to vWD, we determined a cut‐off vWf:Ag concentration below which dogs could be considered at risk. This cut‐off was chosen in order to minimise the number of dogs genuinely at risk of haemorrhage, being wrongly classified as not at risk. This was done without sacrificing the specificity of the cut‐off to any great extent. A vWf:..