Afibrinogenemia (Dachshund Type)

General Information:Afibrinogenemia (AFG) (Dachshund Type) is a genetic bleeding disorder that affects dogs due to a lack of fibrinogen, a crucial protein needed for normal blood clotting. Dogs with this condition exhibit severe signs of bleeding. This may be noticeable from the neonatal period with umbilical cord bleeding. Common symptoms include frequent nosebleeds, gum bleeding, easy bruising, and the formation of blood-filled masses (hematomas) under the skin and within muscles following mild trauma. Affected dogs may also experience internal bleeding, resulting in bloody or dark tarry feces. Joint bleeding can cause lameness or stiffness. There is a significant risk of prolonged bleeding after surgery or trauma, which can be life-threatening. Despite intensive medical support, many affected dogs do not survive beyond a year.

How to Read Your Dog's Test Results for this Genetic Variant:

Two Variants Detected: Dog Likely Affected

One Variant Detected: Dog Unlikely Affected

No Variants Detected: No Effect

Gene / Testing Information: Genetic testing for Afibrinogenemia (AFG) (Dachshund Type) involves screening for mutations in the FGA gene. This disorder is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner, meaning that a dog must inherit two copies of the mutated gene, one from each parent, to develop the disease. Carriers do not typically show symptoms but can pass the variant to their offspring. When two carriers are bred, each puppy has a 25% chance of being affected and a 50% chance of being a carrier. To prevent producing affected puppies and eliminate the mutation from breeding lines, it is crucial to avoid breeding two carriers. Genetic testing should be performed prior to breeding ensuring that dogs carrying this variant cannot produce affected puppies by being bred to another carrier.