Von Willebrand's Disease, Canine - contd.
The cause of von Willebrand's disease is deficiency of a protein called von Willebrand factor. This substance plays a key role in the adherence of platelets, the cells that normally help blood clot, to collagen, a protein exposed by injury to blood vessels. Von Willebrand factor may also play a role in the adhesion of platelets to other platelets during blood clot formation. Deficiencies in von Willebrand's factor are inherited.
