Glanzmann ThrombastheniaClinical signs, differential diagnosis, treatment and prevention in dogs and horses.

Overview

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Clinical signs

Nosebleed (epistaxis) and prolonged bleeding.
Abnormal clot retraction and reduced platelet aggregation.
Coagulation panel (PT, aPTT) and fibrinogen within normal range.

Predisposing factors

Reported in Thoroughbred, Oldenburg, Peruvian Paso and Quarter Horses.
The pattern in horses appears to match the recessive inheritance seen in people; family studies have not been done.

Look-alikes to rule out

von Willebrand Disease

Treatment

No cure exists; before trauma or unavoidable surgery, affected dogs may be given cryoprecipitate transfusions or desmopressin to reduce bleeding risk.
Management otherwise focuses on minimizing trauma and planning ahead for any necessary procedures.

Drugs mentioned: Desmopressin

Prevention

1. Diagnosis relies on flow cytometry or western blot for the platelet integrin, because clotting tests alone are not conclusive. 2. Identified carriers of an autosomal recessive trait should not be bred to other carriers.

Source

Equine Veterinary Journal, Dahlgren AR, Tablin F, Finno CJ (2020), via PubMed Central — Genetics of equine bleeding disorders (accessed 2026-10-29)

MSD Veterinary Manual — Platelet Disorders in Animals (accessed 2026-08-12)

Condensed and attributed, never reproduced whole. Open the full entry in the app.