Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds can be affected by a variant of Glanzmann’s Thrombasthenia (GT), caused by a recessive mutation to the gene ITGA2B. This bleeding disorder causes defective platelets, which results in an inability for blood to clot properly. Clinical signs usually are characterised by bleeding of the skin, mucous membranes and gums, and may also include bruises, epistaxis (nosebleeds), and gastrointestinal hemorrhage.
Glanzmann’s Thrombasthenia in the Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred can be tested with the CombiBreed test Glanzmann’s Thrombasthenia (GT) 2 – Horse with test number P392.
