Does anyone here know any Akita/Akita owners that have been through this 'illness'? Or any sites that would be of assistance. The Akita Club of America has a tearful "blog" of a young seemingly healthy male Akita, who developed this unforgiving health concern.
http://www.akitaclub.org/health/health/uv/diary1.html. I have been searching the internet to find others who have or have had Akitas that are living with this syndrome, to no avail. My 6-year-old Akita, Rufus, was diagnosed with UDS 6 weeks before his 7th birthday. We are just now at 5 months after Dx. Every day I wonder how long this illness & the medications will torment his body, before he passes or we have to make that devastating decision. If anyone can lead me to any sources on this subject, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank You, Jacki K (Wisconsin)

No, I'm sorry, I haven't heard of this disease.

I would try emailing Barbara Bouyet (She wrote "Akita: Treasure of Japan"). She is AMAZING with these types of things.

bouyet@roadrunner.com

Her websites are:
http://www.akitarescue.com/
http://www.akitas-4-u.com/

GOOD LUCK!!

Hi Jackie....and so sorry to hear about your Akita having this disease.   We had a member on our forum whose dog had VKH but I have no personal experience with it either.  I can only imagine how difficult this has been to go through. 

I would take Sarah's advice and email Barbara Bouyet.   If you don't get a response try again as she is a very busy lady but really knows alternative methods for treating Akitas.  Good luck to you and if nothing else we could at least support you here on the forum.

Julie

like Sarah said Barbara would be a good place to start and you can check out these links on this page and maybe contact this person who had an Akita with VKH. Hugs to your keeter!

http://www.northbridgebernesemountaindogs.com/VKH.htm

But let me email a few "old-timers" and see if they have any insight. Maybe we can help you get a little piece of mind. I hope Rufus is doing alright today and that you can find some sort of treatment to make life easier for him.