In general the Kai Ken is a relatively healthy breed, but there are a few health issues that have been observed. We feel it important to test our dogs prior to breeding them to minimize the risk of passing on genetic issues to any offspring. For a list of all health-tested Kai Ken on record, you can visit the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals.
Eyes
One of the recent issues affecting the breed are PRA related genetic disease. Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) includes a diverse group of canine retinal degenerations causing inherited blindness. Some of the disease variations include early onset, late onset, autosomal recessive, dominant, and some are linked to the X-chromosome. PRA diseases affect the rod and cone type photoreceptor cells within the retina. Rods gather information about light intensity and are an important factor in night vision, while cones are responsible for distinguishing color and are major contributors to day vision. There are two PRA diseases known to be affecting Kai Ken at this time – luckily, both are testable via DNA tests. If you are getting a Kai Ken puppy, it is important to ensure both parents have been tested for the following two PRA types, and at a minimum, that both parents are not carriers or affected for the same type.
PRA-PRCD
Progressive retinal Atrophy, progressive rod-cone degeneration is an autosomal recessive, late onset, inherited eye disease. This disease results in the degeneration of the rod then cone photoreceptor cells within the retina, causing night blindness and a loss in peripheral vision first, eventually progressing to daytime vision loss and typically resulting in complete blindness in most dogs. While this disease can be detected around 1.5 years of age via veterinary eye exam, most affected dogs will not display signs of the non-painful vision loss until they are between 3 to 5 years old. Outside of a veterinary exam, other things to look for are an increased reflectivity of the tapetum (eye shine) and observing slowly constricting pupils under a bright light, because the retina is no longer telling the pupils that too much light is entering the retina.
PRA-CRD4/CORD-1
Progressive retinal Atrophy, cone-rod dystrophy 4, is also an autosomal recessive inherited eye disease, however the cone cells degenerate first, leading to a loss in day vision before a loss in night vision and gradually developing into complete blindness. The age of onset varies with this slow-progressing disease, it has been reported in dogs from 6 months to 15 years of age, although the average onset age is about 5 years old. The mutation for this disease occurs in the RPGRIP1 gene and show incomplete penetrance, meaning not all dogs with two copies of the mutation will become affected. Rather, this suggests that unknown genetic or environmental modifiers could change the disease’s progression.
Knees
Luxating Patella is a condition of the knee where the joint pops in and out of place. Lameness and limping may be observed in dog’s affected by luxating patella and surgery may be necessary.
This condition is genetic but can also be influenced by environmental factors. Breeding stock can be evaluated for luxating patella by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA). Just because the parent dogs are clear of luxating patella does not mean offspring cannot get it.
It is important to be mindful of the joints of young, growing dogs. Do not overexercise your puppy or allow strenuous play on uneven or slippery surfaces.
Heart
Cardiac issues have been observed in some Kai Ken, mostly heart murmurs (puppy and adult onset), valvular septal defects, and pulmonary artery stenosis. Heart murmurs in young puppies may indicate the presence of a congenital heart condition (a defect the puppy was born with), but are often categorized as an innocent murmur, meaning that it is not related to a heart problem. These murmurs usually disappear by the time the puppy is about 4 months of age. If a murmur does not resolve, your veterinarian may recommend diagnostic testing to investigate it further.
Cryptorchisidm
Cryptorchidism is when one or both testicles (testes) fail to descend into the scrotum. The testes develop near the kidneys within the abdomen and normally descend into the scrotum by two months of age. In certain dogs it may occur later, but rarely after six months of age. Cryptorchidism may be presumed to be present if the testicles cannot be felt in the scrotum after two to four months of age. Since the condition is genetic, cryptorchid dogs should never be bred. There are a number of male Kai Ken affected with cryptorchidism.
Hips and Elbows
There are a few diagnosed (via radiograph) cases of Kai Ken with hip dysplasia and no cases of elbow dysplasia that we currently know of.
Hip dysplasia is typically diagnosed as stiffness in the rear end, accompanied with limited range of motion, swaying, and pain when exercised for periods of time.
Allergies
Allergies is one of the most common health issues in Kai Ken. Most allergy concerns in Kai Ken are food related and quite easy to get under control. Protein sensitivity towards chicken and turkey seems to be more common than grain allergies. A food allergy can take up to a week to manifest as symptoms in the body.
Common signs of allergies are: itchy, red, or flakey skin, excessive scratching or biting their paws, legs, and tail, hot spots, and fur loss.
If you suspect your dog has allergies, try changing their food and eliminating ingredients (switching to grain free, limited ingredient diet, or using a different protein source). Remember to make sure you know what is in the top 5 ingredients of all foods you buy. A true food trial takes approximately 5 months to clear the old food and transition to the new food, so remember to give the food an appropriate amount of time to have an effect before changing again.
Seizures
Seizures have been noted in quite a few Kai Ken. Unfortunately the cause(s) are largely unknown. A couple were known to have liver shunts and a few others were diagnosed as the result of ‘auto immune mediated encephalitis’ (diagnosed via MRI and spinal tap).
Some symptoms of seizures are: drooling, stiffening, jerking or twitching of muscles, collapsing, becoming un-reactive or unaware of their situation/environment, and foaming.
Some Kai Ken that have been diagnosed with seizures have been medicated successfully, others have experienced relapse.
