Kishu Ken Health and Wellness
The Kishu Ken is a generally healthy breed that does not currently appear to be severely affected by many of the more common issues in some purebred dogs - especially in regard to structural soundness. However, there are some observable health concerns, and one that is quite pervasive among all Kishu Ken.
Allergies & Autoimmune Fitness
The majority of individuals with health issues from owner-reports are typically troubled by minor to moderate environmental and food allergies[1][2][3]. A couple dogs in North America also exhibit an autoimmune-like skin condition that appears similar to severe environmental allergies. This condition may also result in inflammation and/or sores. These symptoms have responded to and improved with prescribed steroids in these known cases per owner information available. Another autoimmune illness rarely observed in Kishu Ken is Addison's Disease, a illness that causes a lower than normal hormone production by the adrenal glands.
Hypothyroidism is also observed in Japanese dogs. The most common form of hypothyroidism in dogs is called Autoimmune Thyroiditis, and so it may be worth mentioning here, as the Kishu have other known autoimmune illnesses[4]. Lower than average and low-average T4 production is somewhat "normal" in Japanese dogs, and observed in the Kishu Ken per blood tests on known dogs.
Hypothyroidism is also observed in Japanese dogs. The most common form of hypothyroidism in dogs is called Autoimmune Thyroiditis, and so it may be worth mentioning here, as the Kishu have other known autoimmune illnesses[4]. Lower than average and low-average T4 production is somewhat "normal" in Japanese dogs, and observed in the Kishu Ken per blood tests on known dogs.
Eye Conditions (PPM, Entropion)
PPM (Persistent Pupillary Membranes), is the most common diagnosis in the realm of eye conditions[5]. Most PPM may or may not inhibit vision in affected dogs, and must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis[6]. The inheritance mode of PPM is not clearly defined, so dogs who receive a PPM result may be bred within the Akiyama no Roushya program, based on their results in other areas, and the overall dog.
Entropion, a second eye condition where the eyelid turns in and may scratch the eye, is well documented among Japanese dogs, who are often listed as at-risk[7]. Entropion has not been recorded in public Kishu health databases, and I have not personally met an affected dog, but it is safe to assume entropion may be a deformity of the eyelid to be cautious of.
Entropion, a second eye condition where the eyelid turns in and may scratch the eye, is well documented among Japanese dogs, who are often listed as at-risk[7]. Entropion has not been recorded in public Kishu health databases, and I have not personally met an affected dog, but it is safe to assume entropion may be a deformity of the eyelid to be cautious of.
Joint Deformities (Hips, Knees, Elbows)
In the realm of structural soundness, the majority currently graded with the FCI system are rated an "A" on hips - that's equivalent to the OFA rating of "excellent." A significant among of Kishu Ken graded received a "B" rating, or OFA "good" or "fair." The remaining dogs have received a "C" grading, which tends to be or be somewhere between "fair" to "mild" depending on the breed[8]. Knees and elbows have similar results, where the vast majority of dogs have received ratings that show no deformity (0), but a few individuals have received poor ratings on a single elbow, or received a diagnosis of joint deformity that may be congenital[9][10].
The Illnesses of Aging Dogs & Cancer
While cancer is not a common illness for fit and young Kishu to suffer from, I am giving it a place on this page because of the number of aging and elderly dogs that have been reported with malignant tumors and other cancers. Cancers pertaining to the reproductive organs and secondary to them are most common at a cursory glance of social media reports from owners. This may well be because dogs are rarely desexed in their country of origin, even when kept as pets. It is entirely possible the cancer rate in American and European dogs may appear lower, but there are not enough aging and elderly dogs to know for certain.
At this time, it is recommended to get aging and elderly dogs screened and vetted with cancer in mind, just to be on the safe side.
At this time, it is recommended to get aging and elderly dogs screened and vetted with cancer in mind, just to be on the safe side.
Health Testing at Akiyama no Roushya
At this time, Akiyama no Roushya does not publish their dogs in the OFA database or screen for hips and elbows, using this knowledge from the Finnish database, as joint deformities do not appear to be a significant concern. Akiyama no Roushya is not an outlier in this; no Kishu Ken has ever been submitted to OFA so far, by any breeder. Far more important to our interest are the allergies and autoimmune conditions seen, and sometimes ignored in the breed.
Since all Kishu Ken are inbred (in relation to all dogs overall), and allergies are strongly correlated (if not directly related) to poor immune function or decreased diversity (which inbreeding can cause), Akiyama no Roushya evaluates all breeding dogs by genotype and pedigree analysis. With how common allergies are in the breed, dogs are not excluded from breeding due to allergy status, but paired intelligently with other dogs by pedigree analysis and genetic report.
Currently, all dogs are evaluated by Optimal Selection first and foremost, and Embark Veterinary for supplement, to understand underlying conditions and autoimmune function. It is our long-term goal to evaluate the population and enroll the Kishu breed in genome services like those offered by AHT and VGL.
Since all Kishu Ken are inbred (in relation to all dogs overall), and allergies are strongly correlated (if not directly related) to poor immune function or decreased diversity (which inbreeding can cause), Akiyama no Roushya evaluates all breeding dogs by genotype and pedigree analysis. With how common allergies are in the breed, dogs are not excluded from breeding due to allergy status, but paired intelligently with other dogs by pedigree analysis and genetic report.
Currently, all dogs are evaluated by Optimal Selection first and foremost, and Embark Veterinary for supplement, to understand underlying conditions and autoimmune function. It is our long-term goal to evaluate the population and enroll the Kishu breed in genome services like those offered by AHT and VGL.
A selection of Akiyama no Roushya Kishu Ken and other publicly tested Kishu Ken in the Genoscoper database.
Reference List
- Kishu Ken Allergy and Immune Condition - Owner Survey. https://goo.gl/forms/POKXLyySYPDZPJ6h1
- The Nihon Ken: The Kishu by Shigeru Kato. http://nihonken.blogspot.com/p/kishu.html
- Japan Dog Export > The Kishu. http://japandogexport.com/breeds/kishu-ken
- Orthopedic Foundation for Animals: Thyroid. https://www.ofa.org/diseases/other-diseases/hypothyroidism
- Koira Net Kishu Eye Results 1988-2018. https://jalostus.kennelliitto.fi/frmTerveystilastot.aspx?R=318&Lang=en
- University of Prince Edward Island Canine Inherited Disorders Database. http://cidd.discoveryspace.ca/disorder/persistent-pupillary-membranes-ppm.html
- VCA Animal Hopsital - Eyelid Entropion in Dogs. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/eyelid-entropion-in-dogs
- Koira Net: Kishu Hip Results 1988-2018. https://jalostus.kennelliitto.fi/frmTerveystilastot.aspx?R=318&Lang=en
- Koira Net: Kishu Knee Results 1988-2018. https://jalostus.kennelliitto.fi/frmTerveystilastot.aspx?R=318&Lang=en
- Koira Net: Kishu Elbow Results 1988-2018. https://jalostus.kennelliitto.fi/frmTerveystilastot.aspx?R=318&Lang=en