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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