What Is Canine Hemophilia A
📝 Summary
Canine hemophilia A is an X-linked recessive factor VIII deficiency causing easy, prolonged bleeding, mostly in males, with no cure. Severity ranges from mild to severe based on factor levels. Diagnosis is by factor assay; management avoids trauma and uses plasma or clotting-factor replacement.
1 What the disease is
Hemophilia A is also known as anti-hemophilic globulin deficiency or factor VIII deficiency. It is caused by an inherited lack of factor VIII (FVIII), a protein needed for blood to clot. The condition is X-linked recessive: the FVIII gene sits on the X chromosome, so affected dogs are usually male, and the disorder is passed from carrier mothers to sons.
2 How severe it gets
Severity depends on how much factor VIII is present. Mild cases (5-30% of normal) bleed only after major trauma or surgery. Moderate cases (1-5%) may bleed about once a month, usually after injury but sometimes spontaneously. Severe cases (under 1%) bleed into muscles or joints roughly once or twice a week, often with no clear cause at all.
3 Signs of a bleeding problem
The hallmark is a bleeding tendency: slow, steady oozing; bleeding after only minor trauma; and bleeds that are widespread and repeat. Because the signs are easy to miss early, knowing the family history matters.
4 Diagnosis and management
Diagnosis rests on the history (family bleeding, age, trigger, site) and specific quantitative testing of the clotting factor. There is no cure, so care focuses on avoiding injury and drugs that impair clotting. Severe anemia is treated with fresh plasma; before any major surgery, dogs with factor XI deficiency need plasma transfusion. Feed soft, easy-to-digest food and avoid hard items like bones that could cut the mouth.
Want to learn more about pet health?
Explore our pet health channel for more science-based care guides
Read More Articles →