Though the Siberian Husky is a
strong and compact dog, the breed does have a few
health conditions that owners should be aware. For
instance, a Siberian Husky may develop some of the
eye problems associated with dogs, included
progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), cataracts, or
cornea problems. Corneal dystrophy may not affect
vision extensively in the early stages. In fact,
good vision can often be restored with proper
evaluation and treatment.
However, this condition can cause corneal
ulceration. Generally, corneal dystrophy appears as
grayish white lines, circles, crystallizing, or
clouding of the cornea. PRA is a degenerative
disease of the eye that can sometimes be diagnosed
early in a dog’s life. This disease is hereditary,
so breeders and others with experience with Siberian
Huskies should know about the condition.
A Husky will sometimes suffer
from hip dysplasia, which is caused by the abnormal
development of the hip joint in a young dog. This is
not a major concern with the breed, but owners of
all purebred dogs should be aware of the
possibility. With hip dysplasia, the ball-and-socket
joint of the hip does not move and rotate freely as
it would in a healthy joint.
In this case, the ligaments and soft tissue around
the joint do not develop normally, causing unusual
motion in the joint. The result often leads to pain
and limping in the dog. Many dogs are born with a
healthy joint but because of heredity, the hip does
not grow properly as the dog ages. As the ligament
and surrounding tissue stretches, a condition called
subluxation occurs, which represents with much the
same symptoms connected with hip dysplasia. Although
this is usually a problem in larger breeds of dog,
even the medium-sized breeds such as the Siberian
Husky can be affected.
Some studies indicate a higher incidence of hip
dysplasia when dogs become obese and when they are
over-exercised at a young age. Some experts think
diet may have an effect on this condition, but
others believe there is no definite scientific
evidence for connecting diet with hip dysplasia. The
Orthopedic Foundation for Animals has developed a
radiograph test procedure that may be able to detect
early signs of the condition or the tendency to
develop hip dysplasia. Typically, a dog must usually
be two years of age for a completely accurate test.
Extreme cases may respond to surgery.
Anti-inflammatory medicines can help with the pain
of hip dysplasia.
One of the key things a Siberian Husky owner can do
is work with a top-quality, reputable breeder. Good
breeders will use breeding parents that are free
from the risk of hip dysplasia, at least as free as
science and breeding can make them. This
considerably lessens the risk of the condition in
puppies born to these parents. Using only a top
breeder will also help avoid other genetic health
conditions.
As for general health, the Husky normally lives a
long, trouble-free life with the proper care. A
Siberian Husky should always get sufficient exercise
and should not be overfed. Additionally, a
consistent amount of fish oil in the diet is
recommended for the coat and nails of the dog. This
need stems from the dog’s origins and the common
diet for dogs in the region where this breed
started. It may be best to talk with the breeder to
determine a proper diet for your Siberian Husky. A
very active Husky will need plenty of protein and
fats, but these must be included at the correct
levels. Ask questions, as it is better to have too
much information rather than not enough.
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