Disorder - Bleeding disorder

Organ Systems Involved
Cardiovascular
Immune

Alternative disorders described within LIDA

Classical haemophilia; Haemophilia B; Vitamin-K-dependent blood coagulation factors deficiency

Presenting Signs

Cats can have hereditary bleeding disorders including haemophilia A and B, von Willebrand’s disease, and disorders of the platelets and other factors that affect clotting of blood. These disorders may show as excessive bleeding from wounds and/or repeated spontaneous bleeding. Affected cats may also have prolonged bleeding along the gum/tooth margin. These animals may also bruise easily from minor injuries such as bumps or scratches. Secondary to these injuries, affected animals may develop haematomas (blood-filled lumps), lameness, and bleeding into the abdomen or the space around their lungs. Cats with bleeding disorders may show signs such as pale gums, rapid heartbeat or collapse, and may die because of significant blood loss. Severe cases are usually diagnosed by one year of age However, less severe cases may take longer to diagnose because symptoms are mild, or because these animals only show abnormal bleeding after major surgery or trauma.

Cats at Risk

Due to the sex-linkage in congential haemophilia, affected animals are usually male, while heterozygote females are usually asymptomatic carriers. In non sex-linked bleeding disorders such as Von Willebrand’s disease, no sex predisposition is observed.

Treatment

Medical: Treatment may involve transfusion therapy to replace functional platelets or specific plasma factors. The dosage and frequency of transfusions are dependent on the patient's status and the severity of the symptoms. Cats must be transfused according to their specific blood type (Type A, B or AB). Other options for therapy include treating injuries associated with the disease, avoiding unnecessary invasive procedures that may cause bleeding, or drugs that inhibit normal bleeding.

PubMed References
Bleeding disorder

Contributor
Yuemee Song