AKK HEALTH
 

The Alaskan Klee Kai exhibits many of the best characteristics of its arctic ancestors. A pressing question for potential owners, then, is whether this small member of the spitz dog family is a healthy choice. The Alaskan Klee Kai, being a new small breed and developed in the mid-1970's through the private efforts of Linda Spurlin, only the following is known in regards to the overall health of the Alaskan Klee Kai breed.

FVII Deficiency in Alaskan Klee Kai Dogs Causing A Mild Bleeding Disorder

Since the discovery of the FVII Deficiency in the Alaskan Klee Kai breed, many breeders in the world of breeding this rare and special breed, have gone to the expense of insuring their dogs are tested. Many breeders have even retired some of their "affected" breeding stock because of the FVII Deficiency. Alakkawa Kennles had their breeding pairs tested.

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Please note the following:

Abby and Chance have had the CBC Chem Screen Test and the T4 - Thyroid Testing - all is fine with results!

FVII Deficiency Test Results:

** Abby is clear - certified through Veterinary Genetic Services
 

** Denver is clear - both parents are clear.
 

**This means they can be bred together with no complications.**

A "clear" can be bred to a "clear."

A "carrier" can be bred to "clear."

A "carrier" should not be bred to a "carrier."

A "carrier" should not be bred to an "affected."

An "affected" should never be bred to another "affected." The Alaskan Klee Kai really should be retired from breeding.

Nevertheless, several hereditary bleeding disorders have been identified in many different canine breeds and involve clotting (coagulation) factor deficiencies, platelet disorders, and von Willebrand disease. Coagulation factor VII (FVII) deficiency has been known to occur in Beagles for decades, and there are a few reports of FVII deficiency in the Alaskan Malamute, Bulldog, and a mixed breed dog. Very recently hereditary FVII deficiency was identified in a bleeding Alaskan Klee Kai dog and its family, as well as unrelated asymptomatic Alaskan Klee Kai dogs. A DNA test to identify the mutation responsible for FVII deficiency in Alaskan Klee Kai dogs has been developed at the University of Pennsylvania.

Dogs with hereditary FVII deficiency may exhibit an increased bleeding tendency following trauma or surgery or rarely appear to develop spontaneous bleeding. There are few reports of severe bleeding requiring blood transfusions, and some FVII-deficient dogs may remain unrecognized. As this is an autosomal recessive disorder, the diseased/mutant gene (allele) may be unknowingly passed on through generations not only via asymptomatic carriers but also affected dogs, as they may not show obvious signs. Carriers have one mutant and one normal gene and appear clinically normal, but they can pass the defective gene to their offspring. Only a small number of Alaskan Klee Kai dogs have been tested thus far, and hence the frequency and bleeding tendency remain to be elucidated..." Excerpt from the March 15, 2006 "Factor VII Information Update" by Dr.Urs Giger of UoPenn Posted on UAKKA.com & AKKAOA.org Websites.

Fortunately, this anomaly has been discovered early in the life of this breed and scientists have managed to develop a fast and effective means of testing for the gene through DNA testing. Again, dogs that are affected should be restricted from breeding and dogs that are shown to be carriers should not be bred to other carriers,. Therefore, their offspring will not be affected. Thanks to the early identification and subsequent culling of effected breed members, there is a good chance this syndrome will not significantly impact the breed.

The Alakkawa Kennels breeders have their vet perform a series of health checks on their AKK before they are bred to include T4 Hormone and Hypothyroidism and the Blood Chemistry Panel.

The photographs below were taken with my camera phone, so they are not super in quality.

 

 

 

 

OTHER HEALTH ISSUES HAVE BEEN REPORTED IN THIS NEW BREED

ARTHRITIS

Osteoporosis

Rheumatoid

AUTOIMMUNE DISORDERS

Cushing’s Disease

BIRTH DEFECTS 

Cleft Palates

Congenital Anasarca

Congenital Heart Disease

Congenital Lymphatic Oedema (CLO)

Cryptorchidism (Retained testicle(s)) - in most cases the testes will drop by the time the male is one year old in AKK.
 

Fading Puppy Syndrome

Kinked Tails (genetic or accidental)

Omphalocele/Gastroschisis
 

Open Fontanels

Swimmer Puppy Syndrome (Developmental Abnormality)

Umbilical Hernia Blood (Clotting)

DISORDERS

Factor VII Deficiency

CANCER

Bone

Brain

Breast/Mammary

Ovario/Uterian/Cervical

Soft Tissue Sarcoma

Testicular

DENTAL ISSUES

Cross-bite

Overshot Retained “Baby” Teeth

Undershot Wry Mouth

DIGESTIVE SYSTEM DISORDER

Gastric Torsion (Bloat)

Gastro/Intestinal Blockage

Impacted Anal Glands

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

EYE ISSUES

Blocked Tear Duct(s)

Cataracts - Juvenile/Old Age

Cornea Dystrophy

EyeLid Growths

Persistant Pupillary Membranes (PPM)

Trichiasis (ingrown eyelashes)

HEART ISSUES

Degenerative Mitral Valve Disease

Heart Murmurs (Congenital & Juvenile)

Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)

IMMUNE SYSTEM DISORDERS

Puppy Strangles (Juvenile Cellulites)

Subcutaneous Abscesses/Sebaceous Cysts

JOINT/BONE ISSUES

Hip Dysplasia

Luxating Patellas

LIVER ISSUES

Liver Disease Liver Shunts

Microvascular Dysplasia (MVD)

NEUROLOGICAL ISSUES

Epilepsy (Seizures)

Granulometous Meningioencephalomyelitis (GME)

Hydrocephalous

Stroke

REPRODUCTIVE TRACT DISORDERS

Cryptorchidism (Retained testicle(s))

Low Sperm Counts

Mucometra Pyometra (Open and Closed)

Testicular Atrophy

SKIN ISSUES

Contact Dermatitis

Demodectic Mange

Ear Hematoma Eczema Sarcoptic Manage

THYROID ISSUES

Hyperthyroidism

Hypothyroidism (idiopathic & hereditary)

URINARY TRACT DISORDERS

Cystitis

Bladder stones

Kidney stones

Urinary Tract Infection

These are health issues which have been reported in various Alaskan Klee Kai from other breeders and pet owners. This does not mean that in every single litter, a pup will be born with one or all of these health issues. This is simply a list and this list is not all inclusive.

 

 

 

 

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