Akita Inu & American Akita Health Page
Here you will find information relating to Akita Inu & American Akita breed specific
health concerns, which should bear significant importance when buying a puppy.
Hip Dysplasia:
Hip dysplasia is an abnormal formation of the hip socket that, in its more severe
form, can eventually cause crippling lameness and painful arthritis of the joints. It is
characterized by varying degrees of hip joint laxity (looseness), subluxation (partial
dislocation), and ultimately, severe arthritic change. Clinically, the symptoms range
from having no clinical signs in some affected dogs to crippling disease in others. In
addition, the severity of the clinical signs does not necessarily correlate with the
degree of radiographic (x-ray) or pathologic changes seen. Breed and individual
differences in temperament may also affect the amount of discomfort exhibited.
Hip dysplasia is a genetically transmitted disease that has been seen in over 82
recognized breeds of dogs. Since first diagnosed in 1935, it has had the highest
incidence in the larger breed animals. Several secondary factors also influence the
development of dysplasia. These include body size, body conformation, and growth
patterns. When the genetic potential for dysplasia is present, feeding a high calorie,
high protein diet which produces rapid weight gain will increase the incidence and
severity of the disease. Treatment of hip dysplasia can be conservative or surgical.
The objectives of conservative therapy are to relieve pain and maintain limb function,
as well as to continue the dog in as normal a level of activity as possible.
Conservative therapy consists of weight control, moderate exercise, and analgesics
(pain relief medication). The most important element will always be the maintenance
of muscular support. Muscle is built by walking, jogging, and swimming. Acrobatics
(playing Frisbee, jumping, etc.) should be avoided as they place unnecessary
pressure on the joint.
An X-Ray of “Normal Hips” (www.bva.co.uk/chs)
There are many products available to help mobility in dogs suffering from hip
dysplasia. These consist of pressure-reducing pet beds, ramps, stairs, and steps
built with wood, plastic, metal, or foam that help the dog get from one place to
another without causing pain or hurting themselves further. Hip Scoring should be
considered along with other criteria as part of a responsible breeding programme,
and, ideally, breeders should choose breeding stock with hip scores well below the
Breed Mean Score (BMS). The BMS for the Akita Inu under the British Veterinary
Association (BVA)/Kennel Club Hip Dysplasia Scheme is “13” with the American
Akita having a BMS of “10” (based on tests up to and including 01/11/11). All
radiographs submitted to the BVA/KC Hip Dysplasia Scheme are ‘scored’. The hip
score is the sum of the points accrued for each of nine radiographic features in each
hip joint. The lower the score the less of a degree of HD present. The minimum
(best) score for each hip is zero and the maximum (worst) is 53, giving a range for
the total score of 0 to 106.
VKH/UDS:
Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada Syndrome (VKH Syndrome) is an autoimmune disease in
humans where one’s own defence against infection, the T-cells, attack the melaninforming cells (melanocytes) in the body. Melanin is what gives colour, or pigment, to
our hair, skin and parts of our eyes. Since we don't yet understand how this occurs in
dogs, it is most often called VKH-Like Syndrome, or given an altogether different
name, Uveodermatological Syndrome (UDS). It is a disease that can be found in a
wide range of canine breeds.
The first symptoms occur in the eyes of the dog. A condition called Uveitis, or
inflammation of the eye. This inflammation is very painful due to pressure and
bulging of the eye. Very bloodshot-looking eyes sometimes can be seen. It may
eventually cause partial blindness or total blindness in most dogs, but not all. This
happens as a result of the retina becoming detached or other eye complications
developing such as cataracts or glaucoma. If caught early enough, the eyes can be
treated with proper medication and blindness may be prevented. The next symptom
to appear is the whitening of the hair or coat. It is auto-immune related, with
hereditary implications. It is felt that any type of stress can trigger the disease.
Symptoms are depigmentation, hair loss, and blindness. Sometimes there are no
warnings, sometimes there are, like the depigmentation and conjunctivitis (whites of
the eye). Conjunctivitis will often be followed by a detached retina, which shows as a
milky blue surface on the eye ball. Without treatment, blindness will follow. The dog
suffers great pain.
It has also been reported that dogs have been known to lose their nails. The disease
affects mucous membrane areas such as the eyelids, mouth, anus, vulva and
sometime the pads of the dog's feet. There is a definite visible loss of pigmentation in
these areas, often started by crustiness or blisters. The severities of the symptoms
vary from dog to dog. An interesting point to note is that many dogs are often
stricken at 18 to 20 months.
A Shiloh Shepherd who was once entirely black, aside from his paws, has turned
almost completely snow white due to VKH/UDS
There is no cure for VKH-like syndrome, or UDS. It is believed to be a flaw in the
genes. But there are treatments used simply to make the patient more comfortable
and obtain a better quality of life. They are mostly focused on the eye symptoms
since that can result in blindness. The pigment changes, like the hair turning white,
are generally only cosmetic. Steroid drugs are often used as treatment.
Bloat:
Bloat is a very serious health risk for many dogs, yet many dog owners know very
little about it. The technical name for bloat is "Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus" ("GDV").
Bloating of the stomach is often related to swallowed air (although food and fluid can
also be present). It usually happens when there's an abnormal accumulation of air,
fluid, and/or foam in the stomach ("gastric dilatation"). Stress can be a significant
contributing factor also. Bloat can occur with or without "volvulus" (twisting). As the
stomach swells, it may rotate 90° to 360°, twisting between its fixed attachments at
the oesophagus (food tube) and at the duodenum (the upper intestine). The twisting
stomach traps air, food, and water in the stomach. The bloated stomach obstructs
veins in the abdomen, leading to low blood pressure, shock, and damage to internal
organs. The combined effect can quickly kill a dog.
Symptoms include:
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Attempts to vomit (usually unsuccessful); may occur every 5-30 minutes
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Anxiety
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Roached/Hunched appearance
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Drinking excessively
Causes include:
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Stress
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Irregular eating habits
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Heredity
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Exercise before and especially after eating
Prevention includes:
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Feed small and regular meals
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Do not encourage rapid eating
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Avoid stressful situations
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Feed a high protein balanced diet (~30%)
Sebaceous Adenitis:
Sebaceous adenitis is an autoimmune, inflammatory, skin disease of currently
unknown cause. Research is currently underway to find if there is a genetic
predisposition for SA, and the exact mode of inheritance remains unknown. There
are two expressions of this condition, one for long or double coated breeds and one
for short coated breeds, both with differing presentations.
For long- or double-coated breeds such as Poodles, Akita’s and Samoyeds, the
condition often presents itself with silvery dandruff which adheres to the coat, hair
loss (not to be confused with moulting or "blowing coat"), a dull and brittle coat, and
later on skin lesions along the back and ears as well as thickened skin and a musty
or rancid odor. For short-coated breeds such as Hungarian Vizslas, the condition
causes facial swellings, nodular skin lesions, fine dandruff which does not adhere to
the coat, and a general "moth-eaten" appearance to the coat.
Symptoms of SA can resemble allergies and can often go improperly diagnosed for
some time. The most common symptoms are excessive dandruff (scaling) and hair
loss which can be from moderate to severe. The hair loss is usually patchy, giving a
moth eaten look. Itchiness is not indicative of SA, but can accompany secondary
skin infections, which can flare up and are often accompanied by a musty odour. In
Akita’s, systemic illness (weight loss and fever) appears more common.
Sebaceous Adenitis in a Canine (left) and a Rabbit (right)
In SA the sebaceous glands that adjoin the hair follicles become inflamed and
gradually are destroyed. Accurate diagnosis requires punch biopsy. A local
anaesthetic is injected into the site to be biopsied (usually near the withers or
affected area). A parent may or may not show clinical symptoms, instead being what
is known as sub clinically affected meaning some inflammation may exist but hasn’t
progressed to destruction of the glands and the subsequent loss of hair or they may
have been described as having some skin allergies. But they are carriers none the
less.
Currently there is no cure for SA but with good care, the affected dog can be kept
comfortable, healthy and happy, giving and receiving love just as before developing
SA. The treatment includes antibiotics when secondary skin infections are present.
Oil baths, non-perfumed oil is rubbed well into the skin ensuring saturation (baby oil
or bath oil), this is allowed to soak on the dog for about an hour. The oil loosens the
scales and lubricates the skin, now compromised from absence of sebaceous oil
glands.
Entropion:
Entropion is the inward rolling of the eyelid, most commonly the lower lid. This
irritates the surface of the eye (the cornea) and may ultimately cause visual
impairment. Entropion is a common hereditary disorder in dogs. Selection for a
particular conformation, of exaggerated facial features with prominent eyes and/or
heavy facial folds, has created or worsened this problem in many breeds.
Canine Entropian
This problem occurs in many breeds. It is particularly severe in the mastiff,
bullmastiff, Shar Pei, and chow chow. Entropion is seen in the Akita, American
Staffordshire terrier, Pekingese, Bulldog, Pomeranian, pug, Japanese chin, Shih
Tzu, Yorkshire terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier, Dalmatian, old English sheepdog,
Rottweiler, Siberian husky, Vizsla, Weimaraner, Toy and Miniature Poodle. It is also
seen in hounds (basset hound, bloodhound), spaniels (Clumber spaniel, English and
American cocker spaniel, English springer spaniel, English toy spaniel, Tibetan
spaniel).
The problem is usually evident before a year of age. Discomfort from Entropion will
cause increased tearing and squinting. Your dog may be sensitive to light and may
rub at its eyes. Chronic irritation by the turned-in eyelid may cause corneal ulceration
and scarring which is painful and, if not corrected, can impair vision. The in rolling of
the eyelid is readily apparent. Generally both eyes are affected. Depending on the
degree of corneal irritation and the duration, there will be other signs such as those
mentioned above. Your veterinarian will evaluate the degree of Entropion and use
fluorescein dye to determine if there is any corneal ulceration.
Dogs that have had surgical correction for a defect such as Entropion may not be
exhibited in the show ring. Entropion is corrected surgically. If possible it is best to
delay surgery until the dog is an adult since the involved facial structures are still
growing and changing.