What is hemophilia in cats? - briefly
Hemophilia in cats is a rare genetic disorder characterized by impaired blood clotting due to a deficiency in specific clotting factors. This condition can lead to prolonged bleeding, even from minor injuries or surgeries.
What is hemophilia in cats? - in detail
Hemophilia in cats is a rare hereditary blood disorder characterized by the inability of the blood to clot properly, leading to prolonged bleeding even from minor injuries. This condition arises due to a deficiency or dysfunction of specific clotting factors, which are proteins essential for the blood coagulation process. In cats, hemophilia is most commonly associated with deficiencies in clotting factors VIII (hemophilia A) or IX (hemophilia B), which are inherited as X-linked recessive traits. Male cats are more frequently affected because they have only one X chromosome, while females, having two X chromosomes, are typically carriers if only one chromosome carries the defective gene. Symptoms of hemophilia in cats include spontaneous bleeding, excessive bleeding from wounds, bruising, and, in severe cases, internal bleeding that can lead to life-threatening conditions such as hemarthrosis (bleeding into joints) or hematomas. Diagnosis is confirmed through blood tests that measure clotting factor levels and assess clotting times, such as the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). Treatment focuses on managing bleeding episodes, often through transfusions of plasma or specific clotting factor concentrates, and preventing injuries that could trigger bleeding. Long-term care may involve avoiding certain medications that interfere with clotting and monitoring the cat’s activity to minimize risks. While hemophilia cannot be cured, with proper management, affected cats can lead relatively normal lives. Breeders are advised to screen for the condition to prevent passing the defective gene to future generations.