Other Health Conditions

Here is a list of other medical/health problems that have been diagnosed in the Japanese Akita at some point. This does not mean all Japanese Akitas are or will be affected by one or any of these problems; some may never have any problems, others may have one or several of these problems. Knowing about them is important and can lead to early diagnosis with immediate treatment.

• Pseudohyperkalemia (seen in some akitas, does not affect health, but can affect blood tests if vet is unaware of this condition Akitas) Hyperkalemia is low potassium
• Gastric Torsion (Bloat.. a true emergency)
• Epilepsy in various forms
• Popping Hocks (laxity of the hock joint) affects movement and is a painful condition
• Patellar Luxation (“floating knee cap”) knee cap groove is not deep enough causing it to slip out of correct position)
• Von Wildebrant’s Disease (heredity bleeding disorder similar to hemophilia) a rare occurrence in the Japanese Akita Inu. Other breeds more generally affected. Genetic test is available for this condition once recognised.
• Polyathritis (painful joints: can be caused by reactions to immunization, lyme disease, etc) and FUO (fever of unknown origin caused by same)
• Temperament problems (aggression, fearfulness, anxieties)
• Spondylosis (accumulation of calcium deposits around the spinal vertebrae)
• Osteochondritis Dissecans [OCD] (abnormal cartilage growth seen in rapidly growing dogs, can be very painful)
• Degenerative Myelopathy (loss of coordination in rear limbs with increasing weakness due to deterioration of spinal cord structures)
• Myasthenia Gravis (decrease in neuro-transmitting receptors resulting in fatigue and muscle weakness)
• Cancers of various organs, skin bones etc…
• Cryptorchidism (undescended testes) or Monorchidism (one undescended testicle)
• Amyloidosis in adolescent Akitas (abnormal deposits of protein called amyloid is deposited in the kidneys which can lead to chronic kidney failure)
• Chondrodysplasia (abnormal growth of cartilage and bone which results in skeletal dwarfism)