Thrombopathia - Basset Hound

Thrombopathia is an inherited platelet disorder. Affected dogs have abnormal platelet function because they are not able to stick together properly and therefore cannot form a clot. Dogs exhibit typical signs of platelet defects including bleeding from snouts, gingival bleeding, and petechiation. Other symptoms include weakness and rear limb paralysis secondary to spinal cord hemorrhage. The platelet defect is characterized by impaired or absent platelet aggregation responses to all agonists except thrombin; blood coagulation is delayed due to thrombin respond delay occurring in 5-6 minutes instead in 2-3 minutes. Thrombopathia has been reported in different dog breeds including Basset hound, Landseer and American Eskimo dog. Different mutations in genes of all mentioned breeds lead to thrombopathia with similar symptoms.

Inheritance: autosomal recessive

Mutation: RASGRP2 gene

Genetic test: The method used for genetic testing is extremely accurate and allows complete differentiation between affected animals, carriers and healthy dogs. DNA testing can be done at any age.