Changes in Factor VIII:Coagulant Activity and von Willebrand Factor Antigen Concentration After Subcutaneous Injection of Desmopressin in Dogs with Mild Hemophilia A

Four German Shepherd dogs with mild hemophilia A were given Desmopressin (Minirin intranasal solution, Ferring, Malmo, Sweden) subcutaneously at a range of doses in a controlled blind study. No substantial change in plasma FVIII activity was observed 0.5, 1, 2, 4, or 6 hours after administration of Desmopressin. Plasma von Willebrand factor antigen concentrations increased rapidly after doses of 0.4, 1.0, 2.0, and 5.0 micrograms/kg to mean values of 140%, 127%, 120%, and 140% of baseline, respectively. The duration of this increase was dependent on the dose of Desmopressin injected.