Siberian Husky Health

Siberian Huskies are a vivacious and energetic breed whose original purpose was as sled dogs in cold, winter climates. Their popularity is no surprise when you see their exotic, wolf-like appearance and friendly disposition.

When considering buying any pet, it’s never a bad start to consider common health problems in a breed before adopting, so let’s take a look at some issues that could affect the Siberian Husky.

Hip Dysplasia

Like many dog breeds, Siberian Huskies are highly susceptible to Hip Dysplasia, a degenerative joint disease in which an abnormality involving the hip joint causes it to slip out of place. Most dogs born with this condition initially have normal hips, but due to both genetic and environmental factors, the soft tissues that surround the joint start to develop abnormally as the puppy grows. This growth can affects the way that the joint is held together, causing them to move apart instead of staying together.

Puppies as young as four or five months may be diagnosed with Hip Dysplasia, although, since it is a degenerative disease, clear signs often do not show until a Husky is fully-grown and in is second year. Symptoms such as a “bunny hop”, walking funny, trouble rising, trouble with mobility, a narrow stance, intermittent stiffness and eventual loss of muscle tone may be observed.

Treatment can include weight management, controlled exercise and applying warmth. There are several supplements that can help, along with certain medications for both swelling and pain. In some cases, surgery is needed.

Entropion

Entropion is a common disease of the eyelids in which the lower or upper lids roll inwards. This abnormal conformation of the eyelids is considered an undesirable inherited trait as it typically leads to pain and swelling of the eyes as a result of irritation caused by eyelash and other eyelid hair impingement on the cornea. Corneal ulcers are a common condition associated with Entropion, and may lead to severe pain, vision impairment due to scarring and loss of the integrity of the entire eye, which can lead to eyeball removal.

Symptoms of Entropion are not typically noticeable, but can be detected through a careful veterinary examination.

Treatment of Entropion typically involves surgery. Some dogs may need multiple surgeries.

Corneal Dystrophy

Huskies have a propensity to developing corneal dystrophy, which is a non-inflammatory clouding of the cornea. Both eyes are always involved, and total blindness may result. The age of onset could be as early as four months or as late as 13 years.

The symptoms of corneal dystrophy include a localized, grey or bluish-white, crystalline or metallic-looking cloudiness of the cornea, typically round, oval, or donut-shaped.

No treatment has been found to cure this disease process. It is relentlessly progressive and cannot be halted, though many attempts have been made to limit the spread of the opacification through drugs, corneal surgery and dietary changes, though all have proven only mildly effective, if at all.

Follicular Dysplasia

Follicular dysplasia is a condition caused by an abnormality in the canine hair follicle. It typically manifests as hair loss or abnormal hair growth that progresses over an animal’s lifetime.

Symptoms include hair loss over the trunk, post-clipping alopecia, and undercoat crimping along with reddish discoloration beginning at age 3-4 months.

The disease is not treatable. Management of the scaling and secondary infections is usually undertaken via supplements, shampoos, topical applications and topical antimicrobials when necessary.

Uveodermatologic Syndrome

An autoimmune disorder is a condition in which the immune system cannot tell the difference between harmful antigens and its own healthy body tissues, leading it to destroy the healthy body tissues. Uveodermatologic syndrome is one such autoimmune disorder known to affect Siberian Huskies.

Symptoms include inflammation of the interior of the eye and loss of skin pigmentation in the nose, lips, eyelids, footpads, scrotum, anus, and hard palate.

Immediate therapy is of utmost importance in order to prevent permanent damage to the eyes. If treatment is not started in time, your dog may develop complications and may even become permanently blind.

The main objective of the treatment is to suppress the abnormal immune response that is taking place against the healthy body tissues, in this case the eyes and skin. Based on the vet’s findings, the appropriate injections and eye drops will be prescribed for your dog.

General Care

By far, the best thing you can do for your Siberian Husky to ensure optimal health is to find a reputable breeder who will complete all available DNA testing to ensure great health before you bring your Siberian Husky home. A responsible breeder may appear be more expensive at the outset, but he’ll be upfront with testing and the extra money spent will be well worth it to ensure you have a healthy dog.

Once you bring home your healthy Siberian Husky pup, you’ll want to ensure that regular grooming becomes a part of his routine. Many dogs are allergic to fleas and other environmental toxins, so keeping their skin and fur clean is essential. Regular grooming can prevent their long fur from tangling or matting. In addition to grooming often, you’ll want to ensure you’re providing your dog with a healthy diet – high in protein and fiber – to ensure his body is getting the nutrients it needs to maintain that hard working and energetic lifestyle he loves and thrives on.

Generally speaking, Siberian Huskies are loyal, life-loving, and vivacious dogs. Doing DNA testing before you bring home your Siberian Husky will ensure that, for the most part, your pup stays healthy for the duration of his or her life.