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Prekallikrein Deficiency

Prekallikrein Deficiency is a disorder which causes blood to take a longer time to clot.

Found in

1 in 190 dogs

in our testing

Key Signs

Prolonged blood clotting time

Age of Onset

At birth

Present at birth

Inheritance

Autosomal Recessive

For autosomal recessive disorders, dogs with two copies of the variant are at risk of developing the condition. Dogs with one copy of the variant are considered carriers and are usually not at risk of developing the disorder. However, carriers of some complex variants grouped in this category may be associated with a low risk of developing the disorder. Individuals with one or two copies may pass the disorder-associated variant to their puppies if bred.

Likelihood of the Condition

High likelihood

At risk dogs are highly likely to show signs of this disease in their lifetime.

What to Do

Here’s how to care for a dog with Prekallikrein Deficiency

Partner with your veterinarian to make a plan regarding your dog’s well-being, including any insights provided through genetic testing. If your pet is at risk or is showing signs of this disorder, then the first step is to speak with your veterinarian.

For Veterinarians

Here’s what a vet needs to know about Prekallikrein Deficiency

Prekallikrein deficiency can cause prolonged clotting time in case of injury. The disorder is not usually associated with spontaneous bleeding. There is no treatment available for prekallikrein deficiency but usually affected dogs present no clinical signs under normal circumstances and have a normal lifespan. However, prekallikrein deficiency should be taken into account in case of surgery or trauma.

Most dogs do not exhibit any clinical signs under normal circumstances. Therapy is limited to supportive care (which can include transfusions if needed) and avoiding surgery.

For Breeders

Planning to breed a dog with this genetic variant?

There are many responsibilities to consider when breeding dogs. Regardless of test results it is important that your dog is in good general health and that you are in a position to care for the puppies if new responsible owners are not found. For first time or novice breeders, advice can be found at most kennel club websites.

This disease is autosomal recessive meaning that two copies of the mutation are needed for disease signs to occur. A carrier dog with one copy of the Prekallikrein Deficiency mutation can be safely bred with a clear dog with no copies of the Prekallikrein Deficiency mutation. About half of the puppies will have one copy (carriers) and half will have no copies of the Prekallikrein Deficiency mutation. Puppies in a litter which is expected to contain carriers should be tested prior to breeding. Carrier to carrier matings are not advised as the resulting litter may contain affected puppies. Please note: It is possible that disease signs similar to the ones caused by the Prekallikrein Deficiency mutation could develop due to a different genetic or clinical cause.

Technical Details

Gene KLKB1
Variant T>A
Chromosome 16
Coordinate 44,501,415

All coordinates reference CanFam3.1

We’ve spent the past 20+ years devoted to DNA. Our team of scientists and vets have spent decades developing the most accurate pet DNA test. Because every pet deserves to have their whole story told. We’ve collaborated with leading academic institutions, innovative research labs, and Banfield Pet Hospital™ to make our process exceptionally precise, fast, and affordable.

References & Credit

Credit to our scientific colleagues:

Okawa, T., Yanase, T., Shimokawa Miyama, T., Hiraoka, H., Baba, K., Tani, K., … Mizuno, T. (2011). Prekallikrein deficiency in a dog. Journal of Veterinary Medical Science, 73(1), 107–111. View the article