Hemophilia A in a German shorthaired pointer: clinical presentations and diagnosis

Hemophilia A, Factor VIII deficiency, was diagnosed in a male German shorthaired pointer as a result of testing for a coagulopathy. He had been treated on numerous occasions for different clinical signs, including intermittent bleeding from wounds, hind-limb paralysis, dyspnea, dyschezia associated with perineal swelling, cutaneous nodules resembling hematomas or abscesses, and forelimb lameness. With each episode, he appeared to respond to supportive care. Hemophilia should be considered in male dogs displaying shifting-leg lameness and transient or recurrent, subcutaneous or intramuscular swelling. Recognition of the various presentations of this disease will aid in early diagnosis, as well as help the clients and breeders with appropriate genetic counseling for this serious inherited trait.