DEPOHGEN™ Testing Now Available Worldwide

The new DEPOHGEN™ test for the genetic mutation that can cause Delayed Post-Operative Hemorrhage (DEPOH) bleeding syndrome in Deerhounds and other Sighthound breeds, can now be ordered using a credit card, which means it is now available to people outside the United States!

Two unrelated bleeding disorders have been identified in Deerhounds to date, both of which typically happen when a Deerhound undergoes surgery or experiences major trauma:

• Factor VII deficiency (FVIID) can affect a dog’s ability to form clots, so tends to happen during surgery. It is treated by giving the affected dog plasma from a dog without FVII deficiency.
• Delayed Post-operative Hemorrhage (DEPOH—also sometimes called Delayed Bleeding Syndrome or hyperfibrinolysis) is a disorder of clot stability, not clot formation, which is why the bleeding is usually (but not always) delayed, typically starting within 24–48 hours after surgery or major trauma. It is prevented or treated with aminocaproic acid or tranexamic acid.
• These issues are unrelated and not mutually exclusive: It is entirely possible for a Deerhound to have both Factor VII deficiency and DEPOH—that is, to be at risk of excessive bleeding both during and after surgery/injury.  
• A genetic test for FVIID is widely available (here is a list of some labs that offer it), and a genetic test for DEPOH is available from Washington State University*. It is recommended that all Deerhound owners know the genetic status of their dogs for both FVIID and DEPOH so preparations can be made should a dog affected by one or both of these conditions need surgery or suffer from major injuries.

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