Akita
Breed Description- see AKC for detailed standard
The Akita as we know it is originally from Japan, where it could only be owned by Royalty. In modern Japan the breed is still held in very high regard and much spiritual significance attached to it. The breed as Nippon Inu dates back to 5,000 BC.
The Akita is the largest size of the ancient Nippon Inu dogs. The three sizes are Akita (large), Kari (medium), Shiba (small).
The Akita is massive, courageous, powerful dog. Dense coated but tidy like a cat. They combine dignity courage, Alertness and docility.
The versatile Akita has shown itself to be adept as a seeing eye dog, hunter, police dog, sled dog and at many other occupations.
temperament
Akitas are affectionate, sensitive to kindness and dependable. They thrive on human companionship and are unusually gentle and tolerant of children and city life.
Often aggressive toward other dogs. Some American bloodlines have been bred toward aggression.
Life span Average 15 years
Breed problems can be both inherited or diseases and disorders seen frequently in a breed and mode of inheritance unknown. Both are listed.
Breed problemsAcute moist dermatitis: known as "hot spots," a localized area of a severely itchy, inflamed and oozing dermatitis exacerbated by the animal's intense licking and chewing at the spot
Akita Arthritis - marked stiffening of the limbs , anorexia and pyrexia- <1 year
Behavioral abnormalities: a wide range of abnormal behavior patterns, including aggression, panic disorders, etc
Cataracts
Cerebellar and extrapyramidal abiotrophy: a condition where the neurons in the cerebellum part of the brain and parts of the spinal cord are malformed and eventually malfunction.
Corneal dystrophy
Cushing's disease (hyperadrenocorticism)
Entropion
Eversion of nictitating membrane
Glaucoma
Glycogen storage disease: a syndrome characterized by an inability to store and utilize carbohydrates
Hemolytic anemia: anemia caused by the destruction of the red blood cells by an autoimmune process.
Hip Dysplasia
Hypothyroidism: a common endocrine disease where the body produces an abnormally low amount of thyroid hormonesIntestinal malabsorption: a disease where the intestinal tract does not absorb nutrients properly. Also known as protein- losing enteropathy as a consequence of inflamatory bowel disease.
IntussusceptionLymphocytic thyroiditis: an autoimmune disease causing inflammation and destruction of the thyroid gland, which becomes infiltrated with lymphocytes (white blood cells) and leads to hypothyroidism
Lysosomal storage diseases: a group of progressive multifocal neurologic disorders caused by specific enzyme deficiencies leading to death of nerve cells and accumulation of their respective enzyme substrates in cells
Microphthalmia - small eyes
Osteochondritis dissecans: Inflammation of the cartilage of certain joints which causes arthritis.
Osteochondrosis: a group of developmental diseases resulting in abnormal formulation of joint cartilage. Commonly involves the shoulder, stifle, hock or elbow
Pemphigus foliaceus - Immune mediated skin disease
Progressive retinal atrophy
Retinal dysplasia
Sebaceous adenitis - heritable condition in Akitas
Uveitis is often associated with a systemic illness leading to immune system problems in older dogs. Unfortunately this can be almost any systemic illness, although infectious diseases like ehrlichiosis, fungal infections, leptospirosis and others have most commonly been associated with uveitis. It can occur secondarily to cancer in some cases. There is a condition "uveodermatologic syndrome" in which uveitis and skin disease occur together (usually affecting mostly the face) but this usually occurs in young dogs of the northern breeds (Akitas, Siberian huskies, etc.). Hormonal diseases may be able to induce uveitis, too. Uveitis also occurs for no discernible reason in dogs.M.R.
Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada-like syndrome: an autoimmune disease common in Akitas and the "sled" dog breeds where the eyes, blood and other tissues are progressively destroyed leading to blindness and death.von Willebrand's disease
Akita Arthritis - marked stiffening of the limbs , anorexia and pyrexia- <1 year
Akitas have been reported to have a juvenile onset polyarthritis
condition that might cause the limping and the pain upon being touched. This
condition was reported in an article in the AVMA Journal in 1991 by
Dougherty, et al. It is reported to resemble rheumatoid arthritis and
to respond at least partially to immunosuppressive medications.There are some case reports of Akitas with neutrophil function problems
similar to a disorder seen in Weimaraners, in which there is a high
susceptibility to joint infection and to infections in general due to
immune deficiency caused by the poor neutrophil function.
Akitas are reported to be susceptible to a condition that is currently
called uveodermatologic syndrome, which causes eye inflammation and
skin disease, usually including loss of pigment of the nose and the areas
around the eyelids and often affecting other areas of the skin. This condition was formerly referred to as Voyt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) like syndrome as a similar but different problem occurs in humans that has this name. Checking carefully for signs of
eye inflammation can be helpful in identifying the presence of this
problem.There are several phemphigus disorders of the skin that affect dogs,
too. These are immune mediated skin disorders that frequently cause skin
blistering (although many people miss this sign) and tend to affect the
feet, lips, nasal planum, eyelids and other areas in which normal skin
meets specialized skin. These are best diagnosed with skin biopsy of
the affected areas.It seems possible that there is a recognized disorder in which there is
just pain associated with skin contact, as this does occur in cats, but
I am not aware of a disorder that has this sign, by itself, in dogs.It is also possible that this is a behavioral sign. Dogs that consider
themselves to be dominant in a family may avoid being touched or may
display behaviors such as mouthing the touching hand. If this is the
case, you may see increased signs of aggression associated with these actions
as time goes on. It is just another thing to think about.Mike Richards, DVM
10/15/2001
This page was last edited 04/29/08
