Postoperative Hemorrhage is genetic bleeding disorder found in Great Swiss Mountain Dog. It is a disease of the platelets which play important role in the blood clotting process. Platelets are small fragments circulating in the blood, they are the first line of defense in stopping the flow of blood from injured blood vessels. In affected dogs, platelets do not function properly, and therefore affected dogs are at increased risk of spontaneous hemorrhage and at high risk for excessive hemorrhage as a result of injury or surgery and can be life threatening.
Affected dogs appear healthy but Symptoms of spontaneous bleeding can be seen, this includes excessive gingival bleeding during tooth eruption, nose bleeds, and superficial skin bleeds.
The DNA test enables breeders to identify clear, carrier and affected which helps in avoiding breeding affected puppies.
Since this mutation is dominant, carriers are likley to show symptoms of the disease and can pass the mutation to their offspring.