11/26/2025
A Place for Us Greyhounds is already using this test pre-operatively on the Lurchers that are facing more complicated surgeries including all females before a spay and any male that will need extensive surgery for his neuter. We have had at least two that needed treatment prior to surgery and several others that carried this trait. Please share this with others who are rescuing Greyhounds and Lurchers so they can be proactive. Here is the link to Washington State to order a test. https://waddl.vetmed.wsu.edu/depohgen/
Delayed postoperative hemorrhage (DEPOH) occurs when a dog has one or two copies of a mutation in the SERPINF2 gene, which is involved in preventing blood clots from dissolving until after a wound has healed. Instead, a post-operative hemorrhage occurs starting 36-48 hours after surgery. Early studies indicated that a dog with one copy of the DEPOH variant is 28 times more likely to experience delayed bleeding, while a dog with two copies is 1235 times more likely to experience delayed bleeding
Why are we mentioning this now? A new study* shows that 3/4 of all greyhounds tested had one (heterozygous) or two (homozygous) copies of the mutation associated with DEPOH. Greyhounds from both show lines and racing lines have been found to be affected in the US.
It's a good idea to know your dog's status *before* any major surgery. Genetic testing can be done through Washington State University.
*New study (link in the comments): Delayed postoperative hemorrhage (DEPOH) in an Irish Wolfhound with the SERPINF2 c.605 T/T genotype: case description and variant prevalence across dog breeds. 5 Nov 2025
