Livestock

Haemophilia and Inherited Bleeding Disorders in Cattle: Welfare

How inherited bleeding disorders affect cattle welfare and how genetic testing prevents transmission.

Key Facts

Factor XI deficiency is the most common inherited coagulation disorder in cattle
Affects Holstein-Friesian cattle — widespread due to use of carriers in AI programmes
Causes prolonged bleeding after injury, surgery, or parturition
DNA testing identifies carriers — exclusion from breeding programmes eliminates the disease

Welfare Considerations

Cattle with bleeding disorders experience prolonged haemorrhage after routine procedures — dehorning, castration, and parturition can become welfare emergencies. Welfare-focused management uses DNA testing to identify carrier status before breeding, avoids carrier-to-carrier matings, and ensures affected animals receive appropriate haemostatic support during any procedure. Genetic selection can eliminate the disorder from lines within a generation.

What You Can Do

Request Factor XI carrier testing when purchasing Holstein-Friesian breeding stock
Implement DNA testing for bleeding disorder carriers in AI sire selection
Avoid procedures in known affected animals without haemostatic support available