Von Willebrand Factor

We noticed that last month Major, our very large 4-year-old doberman, had a small button-like growth on his belly.


So we made an appointment for surgery and my dad removed it. (He's a veterinarian, in case you were worried.)


He had trouble clotting after the surgery, so in addition to finding out what the growth was, he also had him tested for something called the Von Willebrand Factor. Apparently it causes trouble when it comes to clotting...bad when you have surgery, like he did.


Major tested positive for Melenoma and for the Von Willebrand disease (or syndrome, or factor...whichever it is). He has a more severe case of the blood disorder. Apparently you should have somewhere between 80-160 factor, and his is 4. Fortunately, it is something that fluctuates, so isn't always so low. It just happened to be very low when he had the surgery.


The growth was taken off with clean margins, which is another good thing.


Charis was thrilled to see him, of course. Major was thrilled to be home, too. Doped up, but thrilled.

Not so thrilled to be kept in the kitchen.
This is him, trying to look regal with that lovely E-collar on.



Now I just have to keep him still...