Interpretation: ATIII has a similar size to albumin and may be lost early in cases of protein-losing nephropathy.
The low vWf supports von Willebrand’s disease (vWD), an inherited condition in Doberman pinschers. Dogs with values less than 35% are at risk for bleeding. vWD can be further divided into three categories depending on the molecular weight of multimers affected. This can be determined by electrophoresis or use of a vWf:collagen assay, which determines functional activity. Further classification was not performed in this case. The vulvar bleeding was likely due to the decrease in vWf and ATIII.
Therapeutic plan
Lady was discharged two days after admission on spironolactone (50 mg twice daily), doxycycline (200 mg twice daily) and tramadol (100 mg twice daily). She was also placed on a renal diet.
Case follow-up
Ten days later, Lady presented with vomiting and inappetance. On physical examination, the edema had resolved, but Lady was dehydrated and not producing urine at an adequate rate based upon referring veterinarian’s assessment.