Dog health

Japanese Chin health problems and costs

The health issues a real source ties to the Japanese Chin, what each one is, and what it tends to cost, so you can plan ahead.

Last updated: October 2026 · 19 sources · see sources

Quick answerThe breed club and AKC point to 4 health issues to plan for: luxating patella, cataracts, mitral valve disease and epilepsy. A typical vet bill for a small dog runs $273 – $1,110.

Health problems linked to the Japanese Chin

Conditions and what they can cost
ConditionWhat it isRelated costs
Luxating patella (slipping kneecap)Named by: AKC breed page, breed club screening [1]The kneecap slips out of its groove. Mild cases may only cause an odd skip in the step; severe cases can need surgery. [2]Surgery, median invoice: $1,284 (typical $578–$3,229) [3]
Dog X-rays (owner bills): $130–$300 [4]
CataractsNamed by: AKC breed page [1]The lens of the eye turns cloudy and vision fades. Some cataracts can be removed surgically by a veterinary eye specialist. [5]Sick visit (owner bills): $160–$525 [6]
Surgery, median invoice: $1,284 (typical $578–$3,229) [3]
Mitral valve diseaseNamed by: AKC breed page [1]A heart valve thickens and leaks. It often starts as a murmur and can lead to heart failure in older dogs. [7]Dog ultrasound (owner bills): $80–$500 [8]
Epilepsy (seizures)Named by: AKC breed page [1]Repeated seizures with no other cause found. Many dogs do well on daily medicine, but a long seizure is an emergency. [9]Emergency visit (owner bills): $500–$1,600 [10]
Dog MRI (owner bills): $900–$2,900 [11]

Costs are national figures from our sourced cost guides, not breed-specific prices. Being on this list doesn't mean a pet will get the condition.

Here is how the AKC breed page puts it: The Japanese Chin is a generally healthy breed, and responsible breeders screen for health concerns such as luxating patellas (slipping kneecaps), cataracts, epilepsy, and early-onset heart murmurs. [1]

Health screening

The national breed club recommends these health tests for breeding dogs: Patella Evaluation, Cardiac Exam, Ophthalmologist Evaluation, GM2 Gangliosidosis (Japanese Chin) - DNA Test. [1][12] If you are buying a puppy, it is fair to ask the breeder for the parents' results. OFA keeps a public database of many of them.

The UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory lists 1 DNA health test for the Japanese Chin, including Progressive Rod-Cone Degeneration (PRA-prcd). [13] One health test costs $58 there. [14]

What to budget

For a small dog like the Japanese Chin, a typical vet bill runs $273 – $1,110 (median $508), and surgery, when needed, runs $435 – $1,484. [15]

Lifetime cost, roughly. Our yearly estimate for an adult Japanese Chin at US-average prices, before insurance, is $880–$1,400. Multiply that by a life expectancy of 10–12 years and you get roughly $8,800–$16,600 over a lifetime, before inflation and before any major illness. The low end is the ASPCA's yearly cost of care; the high end adds one typical vet bill a year. [15][16] It's simple math on sourced figures, not a quote.

Insurance and savings

The average accident and illness policy cost $836 a year for a dog in the US in 2025. [17] Timing matters more than the price. A condition that shows up before you enroll is usually treated as pre-existing and isn't covered. [18] Many plans also have a 6 to 12 month waiting period for orthopedic problems like knees and hips. [19]

Prefer saving instead? Putting money aside each month works too; see insurance vs a savings fund.

Common questions

What health problems are common in the Japanese Chin?

Based on the AKC breed page and the national breed club's screening list, the conditions to know about are luxating patella, cataracts, mitral valve disease and epilepsy. That doesn't mean every Japanese Chin will get them.

How much are vet bills for a Japanese Chin?

Breed-specific bills are rare, so VetReceipt groups dogs by size. For small dogs, a typical vet bill runs $273 – $1,110 (median $508).

Should I get pet insurance for a Japanese Chin?

It's a personal call. The average accident and illness policy was $836 a year in 2025 (NAPHIA). If you want it, enroll while your pet is young and healthy, because conditions found before enrollment are usually excluded.

What health tests should a Japanese Chin breeder do?

The national breed club recommends: Patella Evaluation, Cardiac Exam, Ophthalmologist Evaluation, GM2 Gangliosidosis (Japanese Chin) - DNA Test. Ask to see the parents' results.

How long does a Japanese Chin live?

The AKC lists a life expectancy of 10–12 years.

Japanese Chin breed guideLuxating patella surgery cost for dogsCataracts in dogsVetmedin (Pimobendan)Surgery and hospitalization costDiagnostics cost

This page is general information for planning, not veterinary advice. Talk to your vet about your own pet.

Sources (19) — tap to show
  1. AKC – Japanese Chin breed page (with the national breed club)
  2. VCA – Luxating patella in dogs
  3. VetReceipt – Vet care cost by category (2026)
  4. VetReceipt – Dog X-Ray Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  5. VCA – Cataracts in dogs
  6. VetReceipt – Dog Sick Visit Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  7. VCA – Mitral valve disease in dogs
  8. VetReceipt – Dog Ultrasound Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  9. VCA – Epilepsy in dogs
  10. VetReceipt – Emergency Vet Visit Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  11. VetReceipt – Dog MRI Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  12. OFA – CHIC program: breed-specific health screening requirements
  13. UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory – Japanese Chin DNA tests
  14. UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory – Dog DNA test prices (effective Aug 3, 2026)
  15. VetReceipt – Dog breed vet costs by size
  16. ASPCA – Cutting Pet Care Costs (2021 table)
  17. NAPHIA – State of the Industry 2026 report highlights (2025 premiums)
  18. RealVetCost – Feline diabetes treatment cost
  19. VetReceipt – Dog TPLO Surgery Cost (owner bills, 2026)