Von Willebrand's Disease

What is Von Willebrand’s Disease? ??

How does my cat get VWD? ??
VWD is an inherited condition passed from one or both parents to offspring. 

How do I know if my cat has VWD?
Slow clotting and and associated excessive bleeding is the hallmark sign. A cat may not show any signs until slow clotting occurs when the quick of a nail is accidentally cut, or during surgery to spay or neuter or suffering a cut or bite wound. Or, the cat’s gums may bleed. If your veterinarian thinks that your cat may have VWD, he will perform very specific blood tests to determine both the presence and level of Von Willebrand’s factor in the blood. There are also tests that identify the clotting ability.

What can I do about VWD??
There is no cure for VWD, but you can manage this disease. Spontaneous bleeding rarely occurs, but after surgery or other injuries, monitor closely for abnormal bleeding.  Blood transfusions obtained from healthy cats is effective. Any type of medication that impedes platelet function in your cat should be avoided.

Is there anything I can do to prevent my cat from getting VWD??
Prevention is based upon careful breed selection..

Are there certain breeds that get VWD more often? 
No cat breed has been specifically linked to this disease.