tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4667516629745731439.post3387994998199233411..comments2024-03-20T05:29:43.311-07:00Comments on Diary of a Real-Life Veterinarian: Von Willebrand's Factor. How To Understand What It Is, and What To Do About It.krista magnifico, DVMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15133566329579911573noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4667516629745731439.post-48732897781883163882018-09-21T16:57:04.448-07:002018-09-21T16:57:04.448-07:00Hello,
My girls Von Willebrand''s test jus...Hello,<br />My girls Von Willebrand''s test just came back at 19%. But from the reading and research that I'm doing...this only implies that she's a carrier? But might not actually be afflicted by it? She will be 2 in Dec and I want to spay her. She had 2 minor surgeries earlier this year without a problem. But since spaying is a major surgery, I'm more concerned and I've talked to 2 different vets, one says do the surgery and one says don't. Is there there future testing to see if she's actually affected by the disease?<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00241286481601688984noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4667516629745731439.post-13153161065605004192014-02-04T10:13:18.666-08:002014-02-04T10:13:18.666-08:00Krista, I appreciate your thoughtful and compassio...Krista, I appreciate your thoughtful and compassionate input. I agree with much of what you said in several of your above comments and much of it makes sense to me. However, the test is absolutely crucial when owning a Doberman and providing it's lifetime care. It can determine the course of many different treatment options in the future as well as save money on additional tests the owners may not need if Greta is a carrier or especially a clear. Furthermore, the article appeared to me to be on VWD, which is why the extensive input on proper testing, which is my primary motivation and concern for input. If the article was simply on a dogs ability to clot during a surgery and VWD was only mentioned in passing or not at all, I would be quite pleased with the article. But it did mention VWD. Actually it went on and on about it. I do believe a spirited discussion with respectful commentary is helpful in the education process, though. :-)Kelleeforniahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08951077781140800148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4667516629745731439.post-24931972578014901362014-02-04T09:57:49.238-08:002014-02-04T09:57:49.238-08:00If Greta for any reason has another surgery or an ...If Greta for any reason has another surgery or an ER surgery, her parents should know the true VWD status. The article I posted above better describes why it is not correct with our breed. I'm Gabbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08406253078455335386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4667516629745731439.post-62209209534078127702014-02-04T09:56:12.847-08:002014-02-04T09:56:12.847-08:00I agree, however, Greta's owners still do not ...I agree, however, Greta's owners still do not know for sure what Greta's VWD status is. The genetic test is the only reliable method to determine status in the Doberman breed. There is a company called vetnostic that sells the test cheaper than vetgen also. If my vet made me pay for an ELISA test, I would be very unhappy. I'm sure you are a wonderful vet. But in our breed, the DNA test is the only conclusive way to determine VWD status. I'm Gabbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08406253078455335386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4667516629745731439.post-59620077972036950892014-02-04T09:54:26.227-08:002014-02-04T09:54:26.227-08:00Hello,
We have been to the above listed site, and...Hello,<br /><br />We have been to the above listed site, and it was used to help Greta and to help provide information for this blog. We are by no means ever touting ourselves as experts on genetic diseases, breed specific conditions, or the care or management of them. We were trying to assist our client in making the most appropriate decision for their pet and also insuring the safest surgery as possible. <br /><br />Further, there was not "drama" nor "money" spent on her care, outside of what was deemed medically appropriate and necessary. <br /><br />The tests differ in not only what they test for but the information that they provide us. We were concerned about Greta's level of vWF with respect to her bleeding during surgery, so we performed an assay test to determine these. BUT, these can change with time and other physiologic factors. SO even this test is not a green light for never having to worry about bleeding.<br /><br />The genetic test that you refer to is best suited for those breeding dobermans, and as Greta was being spayed it was not as useful to us. Her veterinarian went to great lengths to insure a safe, uneventful surgery at an affordable cost. She did not charge the client for the inquiries she made in understanding how to best proceed with this case. <br /><br />Sincerely,<br />Kristakrista magnifico, DVMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15133566329579911573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4667516629745731439.post-57290358993078949302014-02-04T09:36:55.152-08:002014-02-04T09:36:55.152-08:00Hello,
The biggest problem with Greta's case ...Hello,<br /><br />The biggest problem with Greta's case was that her owners weren't well educated on the breed concerns with dobies..they love her and they are trying to provide everything that she needs (including some basic puppy manners and training). It is difficult to be discussing all of the possible problems that a breed may have when they ALREADY have their puppy. There is a very fine line between educating and providing optimal care, being cost conscious, and scaring away a new parent.<br /><br />Greta will not be bred (obviously, the story is about her spay) and her parents have been informed about questions to ask, and paperwork to be provided should they ever choose to adopt another puppy.<br /><br />Thank you for reading and for providing the information. <br /><br />Sincerely,<br />Kristakrista magnifico, DVMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15133566329579911573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4667516629745731439.post-40216604890439109902014-02-04T09:32:11.365-08:002014-02-04T09:32:11.365-08:00Hello Laura,
Many Thanks for reading! Greta is ab...Hello Laura,<br /><br />Many Thanks for reading! Greta is about as cute as they get..she is a little dynamo, but sweet and gentle..everything a perfect puppy should be!<br /><br />Fingers crossed that she never has a bleeding problem!<br /><br />Kristakrista magnifico, DVMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15133566329579911573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4667516629745731439.post-74910677300138402392014-02-04T08:39:02.747-08:002014-02-04T08:39:02.747-08:00After reading this article it appears to me the ve...After reading this article it appears to me the veterinarian in charge of Greta's care may not have had the appropriate education needed in treating a Doberman Pinscher with an unknown VWD status. A simple visit to the Doberman Pinscher Club of America website @ http://www.dpca.org/BreedEd/articles/40-health/309-von-willebrands-disease would have provided a wealth of information for the vet and the owners on how to proceed with a simple, genetic test (as referenced above by "I'm Gabby") to determine if the dog was affected, a carrier or clear of the disease. It seems like a lot of drama and money spent on lack of proper breed education by the owners and vet alike. Kelleeforniahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08951077781140800148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4667516629745731439.post-29052571610320076232014-02-04T08:06:14.773-08:002014-02-04T08:06:14.773-08:00Have Greta's owners been advised to seek out t...Have Greta's owners been advised to seek out the genetic test for VWD? A simple VWD GENETIC test is more reliable for Dobermans. Here is more information. As a Doberman owner since 1997, it is crucial to me that my vet is aware of the genetic test for VWD and that it is more reliable. I'm also not aware of any studies that show dilutes have VWD at a higher incidence than other colors. That might be an interesting study though. <br />http://www.vetgen.com/canine-vwd1.html<br />http://www.vetgen.com/documents/vWDfact1.pdfI'm Gabbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08406253078455335386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4667516629745731439.post-79491671573719138122014-02-04T06:39:13.446-08:002014-02-04T06:39:13.446-08:00oh, that baby! she looks like a sweetie. i reall...oh, that baby! she looks like a sweetie. i really, really hope she doesn't have any other "fun" medical problems in her future...especially if her owners are on a budget. dobes aren't the best breed for those who really can't afford the kind of medical care poorly-bred dobes often end up requiring.Laurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13826932635166933072noreply@blogger.com