Disease overview

Thrombasthenia is a blood condition that is caused by defective platelet aggregation. Platelets play a major role in blood clotting. When there is injury to vessel, platelets will clump together to plug the hole to prevent further bleeding. Dogs affected by thrombasthenia do not form platelet plugs, which leads to excessive bleeding from injury or trauma.

Gene name

ITGA2B

Inheritance

Autosomal recessive

Signs and symptoms

Affected dogs will present with excessive bleeding even during mild traumas, such as nail trimming or teething. Spontaneous bleeding and bruising may occur. This disease is early onset, with clinical signs first appearing when affected dogs are puppies.

How is it diagnosed

A veterinarian will conduct a thorough exam, including a review of health history and any clinical signs. Hemostatic diseases are diagnosed with multiple blood tests that evaluate clotting times. Genetic testing is necessary to determine if there is an underlying genetic cause, which can assist veterinarians with diagnosis and help breeders identify affected and carrier dogs.

Breeds at higher risk

Citations

Lipscomb DL, Bourne C, Boudreaux MK. Two genetic defects in alphaIIb are associated with type I Glanzmann's thrombasthenia in a Great Pyrenees dog: a 14-base insertion in exon 13 and a splicing defect of intron 13. Vet Pathol. 2000 Nov;37(6):581-8. doi: 10.1354/vp.37-6-581. PMID: 11105947.

Boudreaux MK, Lipscomb DL. Clinical, biochemical, and molecular aspects of Glanzmann's thrombasthenia in humans and dogs. Vet Pathol. 2001 May;38(3):249-60. doi: 10.1354/vp.38-3-249. PMID: 11355654.

Disclaimer

Disease diagnosis and treatment should always be performed by a veterinarian. The following information is for educational purposes only.