Factor VII deficiency is a hereditary blood clotting disorder that has been documented in several dog breeds, including beagles. This condition affects the normal function of the coagulation cascade, which is essential for controlling bleeding after injuries or surgery.

What is Factor VII?

Factor VII is a protein produced by the liver that plays a key role in the extrinsic pathway of blood coagulation. When an injury causes bleeding, Factor VII helps trigger the formation of a blood clot to stop the bleeding. Without enough functional Factor VII, this process is delayed, leading to prolonged bleeding times.

How it Occurs in Beagles

Factor VII deficiency in beagles is usually inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. This means that a dog must inherit two copies of the defective gene—one from each parent—to be affected by the disease. Dogs with only one copy of the gene are considered carriers; they usually don’t show clinical signs but can pass the gene to their offspring.

In beagles, this condition is associated with a specific mutation in the F7 gene, which causes reduced levels or impaired activity of Factor VII in the blood.

Clinical Signs

Interestingly, many beagles with Factor VII deficiency show mild or no obvious symptoms in everyday life. Some dogs might have slightly prolonged bleeding after trauma or surgery, such as spaying or neutering. In rare cases, there may be nosebleeds, gum bleeding, or bleeding into joints or muscles.

Because the disorder is often clinically silent, it is frequently discovered incidentally during routine blood tests (such as prothrombin time, PT) that show prolonged clotting times.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is usually confirmed by:

• Blood tests: Prolonged prothrombin time (PT) with normal activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT).
• Specific Factor VII assay: Measures the actual level or activity of Factor VII in the blood.
• Genetic testing: Identifies the mutation in the F7 gene to determine if a dog is affected or a carrier.

Veterinary laboratories and some breed-specific health programs now offer genetic testing for Factor VII deficiency in beagles.

Treatment and Management

There is no cure for the genetic defect itself. However, most affected dogs live normal lives, especially if the deficiency is mild. For dogs that require surgery or have severe bleeding episodes, veterinary care may include:

• Plasma transfusions (to supply Factor VII temporarily)
• Careful monitoring during and after surgical procedures
• Avoidance of trauma

It’s important for owners and veterinarians to be aware of the condition, especially before any planned surgery.

Importance of Screening and Breeding Considerations

Factor VII deficiency can be passed silently through generations if carriers are bred together. Responsible breeders often use genetic testing to identify carriers and affected dogs. By making informed breeding choices—such as avoiding mating two carriers—they can reduce or eliminate the occurrence of the disorder in future generations.

References

Brooks, M. B., Castillo-Juarez, H., Oltenacu, P., & Weirich, W. E. (2001). Hereditary factor VII deficiency in beagle dogs. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 15(2), 153–156.

Christopherson, P. W., Boudreaux, M. K., Rothschild, M. F., & Bullock, G. R. (1997). Molecular defect in canine factor VII deficiency. Thrombosis and Haemostasis, 77(6), 991–996.

Brooks, M. B., Gu, W., Barnas, J. L., Ray, K., Raymer, R. A., & O’Toole, T. (2008). A missense mutation in the canine F7 gene causes factor VII deficiency in beagle dogs. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 22(5), 1016–1022.

Welles, E. G., & Smith, J. E. (1997). Canine factor VII deficiency: clinical features and laboratory diagnosis. Veterinary Clinical Pathology, 26(3), 115–120.

Dodds, W. J. (2012). Inherited bleeding disorders in dogs and cats. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice, 42(1), 91–103.

American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM). Consensus statement: Inherited bleeding disorders of dogs.

Pedersen, H. D., & Kristensen, A. T. (1992). Hereditary deficiencies of factors VII and XI in dogs. Journal of Small Animal Practice, 33(12), 535–539.

Online Mendelian Inheritance in Animals (OMIA). (2025). Factor VII deficiency in dogs. OMIA entry for Canis familiaris – Factor VII deficiency.