Hemophilia A (Havanese Type)

General Information: Hemophilia A (Havanese Type) is an inherited bleeding disorder in dogs caused by a deficiency of clotting factor VIII. This condition results from a genetic mutation that disrupts the normal blood clotting process, leading to prolonged bleeding. Dogs with two copies of the associated mutation are predisposed to Hemophilia A, which can manifest at any age. Symptoms include spontaneous bleeding, excessive bleeding from minor wounds, nosebleeds, and joint swelling due to internal bleeding. Severe cases can lead to life-threatening hemorrhages. While not all dogs with the mutation will show symptoms, they are at risk of bleeding episodes that require medical attention. Regular monitoring and management strategies, including avoiding injury and using clotting factor replacement therapy when necessary, are crucial for affected dogs.

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 of the specific gene associated with Hemophilia A (Havanese Type) can determine if a dog is a carrier of this condition. Hemophilia A is inherited in an Autosomal Recessive manner, meaning that dogs must inherit two copies of the mutated gene, one from each parent, to develop the disease. Carrier dogs, possessing only one copy of the mutation, typically do not show symptoms but can pass the gene to their offspring. When two carriers are bred, each pup has a 25% chance of developing the disease and a 50% chance of being a carrier. Reliable genetic testing is crucial for informed breeding practices to eliminate this mutation from breeding lines, and breeding two carriers together is not recommended to avoid producing affected pups. Dogs that are not carriers have no increased risk of having affected offspring.