Content
- the health of the american akita
- Akita genetic diseases - hip dysplasia
- Akita skin diseases - eczema
- Gastric Torsion in Akita Dogs
The American Akita is a dog that charms mainly for its great loyalty. Few canine breeds have shown to human families as much dedication as this puppy, which in addition to its faithful personality, has very striking physical characteristics due to the size and strength of the breed.
Adopting an American akita is a big responsibility as it requires enough time to provide the dog with a proper education. Furthermore, it is essential that the future tutor is aware of the common diseases of the Akita breed in order to know how to act appropriately, if necessary.
Therefore, in this PeritoAnimal article we will explain everything about the most common diseases in Akitas.
the health of the american akita
The American Akita is a robust and strong dog, whose average life expectancy is between 9 and 10 years. Despite this, if you provide him with the necessary care, he can go beyond that age.
You must remember that for your dog to have a good quality of life during old age, it is important not only to provide the necessary care, but also an adequate diet, respecting the amount of food necessary for an American akita and choosing an adequate ration that meets all the specific nutritional needs of this species. If you prefer to have a homemade diet, it must be accompanied by an animal nutrition specialist, so that a diet is not only specific for the breed but for the animal itself. Each animal has different nutritional needs, hence the great importance of regular monitoring by the veterinarian, who will adjust the diet to the animal's age, weight and condition.
In addition, it is important that throughout life the puppy has adequate physical exercise so that it remains healthy and in shape.An excellent way to exercise your puppy is through training, which in addition to being an excellent physical and mental stimulus, helps to improve your relationship with him.
Akita genetic diseases - hip dysplasia
Hip dysplasia can affect any dog, but it is especially common in puppies of big races. It is a disease that prevents the correct development of the joint during growth, causing it to move laterally and, over time, it begins to affect the dog's normal movement.
Due to this problem, the dog starts having many difficulties in carrying out his daily activities, feeling pain and even limping. It's about a hereditary disease and as such, it is important that breeders who sell this breed can provide a certificate confirming that the parents of this puppy do not suffer from this disease.
To prevent the American Akita from developing hip dysplasia, it is important to avoid sudden movements until the dog is one year old. However, once a dog develops this disease, you should continue exercising him to prevent muscle atrophy. Read our article on exercises for dogs with hip dysplasia and don't hesitate to consult your trusted veterinarian to screen for this disease.
Akita skin diseases - eczema
The coat type of the American akita makes this breed more prone to eczema, that is, an inflammation of the skin or dermatitis accompanied by an intense itching. During the moulting season, Akita puppies are more likely to suffer from this skin problem. Anyway, you can prevent simply this problem if you brush the dog daily during the fall and spring.
In addition, this way you can observe if there is any change in your dog's skin and quickly go to your trusted veterinarian. Like any other problem, the faster it is identified and treated, the better the prognosis. So don't hesitate to consult your veterinarian as soon as you notice that something isn't right with your dog.
Gastric Torsion in Akita Dogs
Gastric torsion in dogs most often affects large breeds, the consequences being fatal if not treated in time, since the mortality of untreated puppies is 100% and 38% of treated puppies.
The sprain happens when the stomach dilates due to an accumulation of gas which causes the ligaments to be damaged and the intestines to twist, which blocks blood flow.
What is certain is that we can try to prevent a gastric torsion if we take proper care of our dog, for example we should not give him food immediately before the walk, but after. A quality diet and ensuring that the dog does not eat suddenly, using, for example, food dispensers, is an effective way to try to combat this problem. See our article on types of toys for dogs where we talk about these and other toys.
The clinical signs that a dog with gastric torsion demonstrates are:
- The dog is restless, looks at the ground or at its belly;
- Pain and inflammation in the abdominal area, which when struck makes a drum-like sound;
- The dog is nauseated but cannot vomit.
If you suspect your dog has this problem, you should seek urgent care to the veterinarian, since the faster it is attended to, the higher the probability of survival.
This article is for information purposes only, at PeritoAnimal.com.br we are not able to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case it has any type of condition or discomfort.