What is Basset hound thrombopathia?
This is a disorder of small blood cells called platelets or thrombocytes. Platelets play an important role at several stages of the body's response to any injury that causes bleeding. One function of platelets is to aggregate or "clump" at the site of blood vessel injury to form an initial plug. Platelets also facilitate blood clotting, in conjunction with the clotting factors, and release substances active in inflammation and tissue repair.
In Basset hound thrombopathia, platelets do not respond normally to the activation signals that occur following injury to a blood vessel. Platelet aggregation does not occur. Dogs with this condition are therefore more susceptible to bruising and hemorrhage.
How is Basset hound thrombopathia inherited?
This is an autosomal recessive trait. Both parents must carry the abnormal gene for the offspring to be affected.
What breeds are affected by Basset hound thrombopathia?
The carrier state is thought to be widespread in Basset hounds.
What does Basset hound thrombopathia mean to your dog & you?
Some dogs have only a mild bleeding tendency which is fairly easily controlled. With dogs who are prone to more severe bleeding, owners will need to be particularly attentive to catch small injuries and attend to them, and seek veterinary attention if necessary.
In affected dogs, it is best to consult your veterinarian before using any over-the-counter medications. For example, drugs such as aspirin alter the function of platelets, and should be avoided in dogs with bleeding disorders.
How is Basset hound thrombopathia diagnosed?
Generally these dogs are brought to the veterinarian at a young age when the owner notices unusual bleeding. This can be in the form of nose bleeds, blood in the urine or stool, or small hemorrhages or bruising in the skin, ears, mouth or retina of the eye. There may also be prolonged bleeding in response to a small injury. Where the bleeding tendency is mild, the condition may only be suspected when your dog first undergoes surgery.
Your veterinarian will do blood tests to determine the cause of the abnormal bleeding. With this condition, platelet numbers are normal but those tests that measure platelet function will have abnormal results.
FOR THE VETERINARIAN:
Mucosal bleeding time is prolonged and there is an abnormal platelet aggregation response. Platelet numbers, blood coagulation parameters, and clot retraction are normal.
This is a signal transduction defect. Platelets fail to aggregate and secrete granules in response to normal stimuli.
How is Basset hound thrombopathia treated?
This condition cannot be cured but it can be managed, depending on the severity. Your veterinarian will discuss this with you when the diagnosis is made.
You may be able to control mild bleeding by applying prolonged pressure. In other circumstances, sutures may be required. Severe bleeding will require transfusion of fresh platelets, either in the form of fresh whole blood or platelet-rich plasma. If your dog requires surgery, your veterinarian may recommend a transfusion pre-operatively as a precaution, depending on the severity of your dog's thrombopathia and the type of surgery.
Affected dogs, their parents (who are carriers), and their siblings (approximately 50 per cent of whom will be carriers) should not be used for breeding.
Where to find more information?
Callan, M.B.and Giger, U. 1996. Bleeding caused by platelet dysfunction in dogs . ACVIM-Proceedings of the 14th Annual Veterinary Medical Forum:37-39. This has information on acquired and inherited thrombopathias, including management thereof.
Copyright © 1998 Canine Inherited Disorders Database. All rights reserved.
Revised: October 30, 2001.