HEREDITARY HEMOPHILIA (HEMOPHILIA-A) IN A GERMAN-SHEPHERD DOG

This is the first report on the diagnosis of true haemophilia (hemophilia-A) in Hungary in dogs. The disease was observed in a five years old German shepherd male dog. The patient was examined due to motor disorders caused by a haematoma developed in the femoral muscles (Fig.). Other clinical patterns with blood clotting disturbances could be excluded by routine haematological and blood clotting examinations, as well as on the basis of the clinical picture. During the further laboratory investigations (Table), prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and low VIII. factor activity were measured. The VIII. factor activity was only 7% of the VIII. factor activity of a mixed control plasma obtained from four healthy dogs. Based on this observations, the patient showed a moderately severe haemophilia. According to the data of pedigree record, the patient was a lineal descent of the sire called Canto von Wienerau which is specified the main spreader of haemophilia-A in the literature. A dose of 15 ml/kg of body weight of whole blood improved temporarily the state of the dog. However, later on, haematoma developed twice in the musculature. The third transfusion did not result in a significant improvement, the animal died due to an acute breakdown of blood circulation.