The Alaskan Klee Kai is a relatively healthy breed with few known health issues. Their typical lifespan is approximately 12-15 years. Below are some known health defects which the breed is known to exhibit:

 

Autoimmune Thyroiditis (AIT) – a genetic disease that affects the thyroid gland and can usually lead to chronic hypothyroidism.  This disease might not develop until a dog is well into adulthood (over 3 years).

 

Luxating Patella (LP) – a condition in which the patella (kneecap) dislocates or slips out of its socket, causing intermittent lameness.  Patella luxation is an inherited condition, but it has been reported as a result of trauma.

 

Congenital Cardiac Disease – include various types of valve, vessel and tissue malformations of the heart.  Severity can range from low grade heart murmur to death.

 

Factor VII Deficiency – a blood clotting disorder. FVII is a double recessive genetic trait. As such, with careful planning, a FVII carrier dog can be bred to a FVII normal mate. The offspring may either be FVII carrier or normal.

 

Umbilical (Belly Button) Hernia – a break in the abdominal muscle wall at the point where the umbilical cord enters the body. This condition can be fixed at the same time the puppy is under anesthesia during spay/neuter surgery.

 

Cryptorchidism – one or both testicles did not descend from abdomen into scrotal sacs as a male puppy matures. A cryptorchid dog should be neutered and not bred. In addition, some responsible breeders take an extra step to eliminate even “late bloomers” from their breeding program, as this condition is highly hereditary.

 

For more information on health issues in Alaskan Klee Kai, please visit the AKKAOA (Alaskan Klee Kai Association of America) website: http://www.akkaoa.org/#!health--medical/c9rg