If you want to add a watchdog to your family, an American akita is an excellent choice. Aside from being good watchdogs, these dogs are also good service dogs. However, these dogs do have a few health issues that you should know about. These include Asthma, Uveo-dermatological syndrome, and Gastric torsion. Fortunately, there are treatments available that will help your dog live a long and healthy life.
Aspiration pneumonia
Aspiration pneumonia is an acute respiratory infection caused by the inhalation of food and liquids. The severity of the condition depends on the type of foreign material inhaled, the location in the airways, and the amount of fluid that has been sucked into the lungs. Aspiration pneumonia is a serious condition that requires immediate veterinary care. This condition is usually caused by the administration of liquid medications to your pet, but is also caused by vomiting or regurgitation. Additionally, animals with deformities or disorders are more prone to the condition.
Although aspiration pneumonia can be life-threatening, it can be treatable. If diagnosed early enough, it can be managed by using antibiotics and bronchodilators. However, in severe cases, it may require hospitalization for several days. It is important to continue all medications prescribed by your veterinarian, and to return for follow-up exams if necessary. There is no cure for this illness, but addressing the underlying cause of the condition will greatly reduce the chances of recurrence.
While aspiration pneumonia can be life-threatening, it is not unusual for healthy adult humans to suffer from small amounts of aspirated liquid or food. Microaspiration, however, is not usually harmful to the human body, and the bacterium is cleared by the lung’s defense mechanisms. However, the diagnostic criteria for this condition differ greatly in veterinary medicine and human medicine.
Aspiration pneumonia is a common condition in canines, with up to 25% of dogs dying from it. Research in both human and veterinary medicine has shown that aspiration pneumonia is often a result of medication administration or underlying medical conditions. Therefore, every precaution should be taken to prevent aspiration. Aspiration pneumonia is an urgent condition requiring supportive care.
Asthma
The association between American akita asthma treatment and decreased asthma exacerbations and hospitalizations is unclear. One explanation for the association is the aging population. As asthmatics age, their condition improves, although improvement is modest and may take longer in severe patients. Regression to the mean may also explain the association.
The allergens in Akitas can cause an allergic reaction, resulting in itchy eyes and nose, shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, and asthma. These allergens can also irritate skin, leading to Eczema in children. In addition, the Akita may give off allergens by accident.
The associated variants were predominantly located in non-coding regions of the genome and in enhancer regions, which are highly annotated in lymphocytes and monocytes. Therefore, a significant portion of the genetic risk for asthma is mediated through regulation of gene expression in immune cells. Interestingly, a number of the novel loci identified in this study also overlapped with regions identified in GWASs for other phenotypes, indicating a shared genetic architecture.
Uveo-dermatological syndrome
Uveo-dermatological syndrome is a rare autoimmune disease that affects the eyes and the skin of dogs. It is often overlooked and can lead to serious problems. It is also rare in small animal clinics and has not been studied extensively. Researchers have suspected that the Akita breed may be predisposed to the disease, but cases have also been reported in other breeds.
Symptoms of this disease include eye discomfort and redness. It may also cause eyes to swell, and the dog may have constricted pupils or cloudy eyes. Interestingly, many dogs with this disease also develop vitiligo, a white discoloration of the eyelids and skin. The affected skin can appear anywhere on the body.
The ocular lesions were bilateral, and the skin lesions were symmetrical. The right eye was affected by uveitis, while the left eye was unaffected. The symptoms were similar to Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome, except that the symptoms affect the skin and nervous system.
Symptoms of the condition can range from mild to severe and may be progressive. It is usually found in young dogs. The most common breed affected by this disease are Akitas and Irish huskies, but it has also been reported in dachshunds, fox terriers, and St. Bernards. It has also been observed in Brazilian fila dogs.
The cause of Uveo-dermatological syndrome in the American akita is not known. However, a genetic component has been linked to the disease in Akitas. The disease is associated with the increased frequency of the DQA1*00201 allele. The disease has been reported in Akitas from six months to six years old. Its incidence is slightly increased in males.
Symptoms of the disease are not life-threatening, but can lead to severe complications including blindness. This condition does not require immediate medical treatment, but it can be associated with immunosuppressive drugs. The dog’s owner reported that he or she had tried topical and systemic medications without any success.
This disease can be induced by certain genes, including tyrosinase family proteins. In mice, these proteins induce VKH disease, but in Akitas, the disease results in chorioretinal disease.
Gastric torsion
Gastric torsion, also known as bloat, is a serious affliction of the American akita. It is a potentially fatal condition and early treatment can save the life of the dog. While most Akitas have straight rear legs, some are more prone to hip dysplasia or cruciate ligament tears. Akitas also tend to be difficult to sedate and react negatively to typical sedatives.
The symptoms of gastric dilatation-volvulus include gas and bloat, and they are all caused by an overfilled stomach. The gas squeezes the stomach and twists it inside the stomach, putting pressure on other organs. It can also trap blood in the stomach and send the dog into shock.
