Blood clotting problems in your doodle??

[Discussing Labradoodles & Goldendoodles]

I was told by my vet that Gracie tested borderline for Von Willerbrand's. It is a clotting disorder. Her ear was accidentally cut by the groomer and wouldn't stop bleeding for weeks!! They finally gave her a plasma transfusion which fixed the problem. I am wondering if anyone else had any issues with platelet counts or clotting disorders. I know the disorder is common to standard poodles.
Thanks!

[Jacque Reynolds]

Yes, Pawsitive ID is the one I am talking about. I know of the VetGen testing too, as I have used it.
What I am saying, however, is that with the Pawsitive ID testing available there is no reason that these dogs should be untested.
I think that we would all agree that Pawsitive ID is better than no testing at all.
As far as accuracy, I would imagine that all of the testing facilities have made mistakes, so no test can be absolute. But I do believe that Pawsitive ID is a reputable testing agency and even though the turn around time is slower I believe that the only real dispute I have heard is with color testing...but I won't babble on about this...just wanted to offer my support and to warn buyers to look for tested dogs. I suppose that the buyer can research which tests are viable...but at least I do hope that they insist on testing.

[Barbie]

Hi Jacque,

I think the (and trust me, I'm not really sure) but I think the only way to test the poodle side of it is through vetgen. Vet gen was trying to stop Pawsitive ID's testing because it wasn't complete or accurate or whatever.

This is taken from Pawsitive ID's website. I guess the thing that bothers me the most is is says the test is GENERALLY Different types of vWD are found in different breeds of dogs. The SNP gene detected in this test is generally for the Scottish Terrier ,

Von Willebrand Disease
Von Willebrand Disease (vWD) is a common genetic bleeding disorder that can occur in dogs. In fact, it is not a single disease, but a family of related diseases of variable severity. All the different types in humans and in dogs are caused by a problem with the Von Willebrand Factor (vWF). This is a protein in blood which is necessary for proper blood coagulation, or clotting. When there is not enough of the protein in the blood, bleeding can be uncontrolled and sometimes life threatening. Symptoms can include undue bleeding of the umbilical cord at birth, extended bleeding at the time of tail docking, blood in the urine, or swelling in various body parts. Not all animals show clinical symptoms

The disease is inherited in an autosomal recessive mode.

Different types of vWD are found in different breeds of dogs.

TEST 10-A The SNP gene detected in this test is generally for the German Shorthaired Pointer breed.

TEST 10-B The SNP gene detected in this test is generally for the Dutch Kooiker breed and is of the Type III von Willebrand Disease.

TEST 10-C The SNP gene detected in this test is generally for the Scottish Terrier, Doberman, Shetland Sheepdog, Manchester Terrier and Poodle breeds.

Different types of vWD are found in different breeds of dogs. The SNP gene detected in this test is generally for the Scottish Terrier

[Jacque Reynolds]

Hmm, well, I'll admit that I know very little about science and that I could be absolutely wrong...but I just checked my VetGen vWD for one dog against the same dog's Pawsitive ID vWD and VetGen only tested one type, Pawsitive ID tested two types. Both tests assured me that my dog was negative for vWD. (None were identifed as mentioned above.)
I asked my husband, who is a Biology major and Patent Attorney, and he explained that once it is known how to identify markers and it is in the public domain any company may use the process and it is the conducted the same way, no matter who conducts the test. (Sort of like following a recipie.) And while it is true that mistakes can be made, I don't believe that the mistakes are based on bad testing, but on human error...this would be true with either company.
I know that the more expensive testing companies have tried to shut down PID and that they have succeeded on the PRC/PRA test because of proprietary information...but as far as I know, the testing for all of the markers still allowed are not from proprietary information. It stands to reason that if the other tests were proprietary then the entire PID would have been halted, not just the PRA/PRC portion.
I don't believe that they were stopped because they were testing inaccurately, but that they were using what the other companies claimed were proprietary tests and PID elected to stop testing rather than enter into a protracted legal dispute.
So, I think that the basis for the "battle" between companies is not so much for accuracy in testing but an effort for the original companies to stop the much less expensive competition.
I really feel silly keeping this topic going, but I do not want to discourage breeders from using PID because I do believe that it has value. I think that if their results were, indeed, inaccurate...there would be something more than just comments from the competition. I plan to research this though...I don't want to advise breeders to use anything that is not valid.
I appreciate your comments. It is good to debate issues that are disputed! :o)

[Jacque Reynolds]

Just a quick follow up. I wrote to the Pawsitive ID company and asked if they have an independent study that would show the accuracy of their testing. I mentioned that some fear that the PID is not accurate. Rick sent a response right back to me:
"We are working on an independent analysis of our testing. But for right now,
you can tell people that Texas A&M does a great deal of our testing and
stands behind the results. BTW, many of the complainers are really our
competitors."

[Patty Barnes]

CAPE FEAR KENNELS...Who wouldn't be afraid of a Kennel with that name. Yikes!

[Adina P]

I looked it up on Google and many businesses with that name came up. I think Cape Fear is the name of the town or area....

[Teresa (TuscanRidgeLabradoodes)]

I'm very sorry to hear that your Gracie might be affected with von Willebrands Alyson. Do you know if your Vet did a blood test for von Willebrands or the DNA cheek swab? There are two ways to test for von Willebrands and only the DNA (cheek swab) is 100% a sure test. The blood test can give a false positive!

You can email me if I can help you in any way at: [e-mail]

I too am in NC but I have always tested all my dogs for von Willebrands as wel as so many others to ensure that I am raising only the healthiest well tempered pets for my families. It's just so sad to hear that you are going thru this with your Gracie!

[RIDOODLES]

HOW LONG ON AVERAGE TO GET THIS TEST BACK FROM PAWSITIVE ID..WE JUST SENT IN THE SWABS 3 WEEKS AGO...? JUST PICKING THE BRAINS OF THOSE WITH EXPERIENCE....
SORRY ALYSON ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE..MAYBEE YOU CAN PAWSITIVE ID HER TO ASSIST YOU WITH YOUR DISPUTE!

[Jacque Reynolds]

Hi...for some people it has been something like 2 months, but I got mine back in 4 weeks. I knew it would not be fast. You might want to call them because some breeders have said that they lost the samples or needed something more. I have not had a problem with them, but I have heard comments from others that are not good.
Most who contact them, however, say that they are very nice and helpful.