Proper Care For The Siberian Husky

There isn't any dog breed that has absolutely no genetic defects. Although the Siberian Husky has fewer health problems than any other dog breed. While you should keep an eye out for several Siberian Husky health problems, in general the Siberian Husky has good health and temperament.

The Siberian Husky Club of American or SHCA has monitored all potential genetic problems and they have taken positive action in order to ensure the general health and well being of the breed. Since the founding of the SHCA in 1965 it has been tasked with being aware of genetic problems and alerting breeders before the defects have a chance to spread. For the Siberian Husky the SHCA has identified the two greatest areas of concern as canine hip dysphasia and inheritable eye disease. To help your dog live a long, healthy life and to avoid these conditions you need to practice proper care and monitoring.

Hip dysphasia is a condition where the head of the thighbone or hip joint doesn't fit into the joint socket properly. When a puppy is born the condition isn't typically present, most of the time it only develops within a dog's first two years of life. The affected hip will suffer from inflammation, pain and arthritis as the condition progresses. Strenuous exercise such as sitting up, lying down or climbing stairs can make the condition worse. Males and females are equally affected by the condition and either a single hip or both can be affected. It is an inherited health condition, which means hip dysphasia is passed on from the parent dogs. The Siberian Husky is one of the least affected dog breeds despite the high occurrence of hip dysphasia in dogs. The condition affects about one hundred fourteen dog breeds and the Siberian Husky is ranked one hundred eleventh for risk. This condition can easily be avoided in the Siberian Husky by buying from breeders who can provide proof that both parents have passed the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals standards for breeding.

There are many eye defects that affect dogs, but only three of them are considered a concern in the few Siberian Husky health problems today. Hereditary or juvenile cataracts, corneal dystrophy and progressive retinal atrophy are the three eye conditions of the Siberian Husky that you should be aware of. Any eye color can have an eye condition and each disorder affects a different portion of the eye. Even though eye problems don't occur often in the Siberian Husky they are serious and should never be overlooked or underestimated. The Siberian Husky can develop hereditary or juvenile cataracts as early as three months of age. If there is a mild case there will be a decrease in eyesight, but severe cases can cause complete blindness. Corneal dystrophy is a condition that affects the outer transparent portion of the eyeball. This condition is more common in females and is typically found in young adult dogs. This condition has no current treatment, but is seldom affects vision. A more serious condition is progressive retinal atrophy, which can cause a devastating loss of vision in dogs as early as five months of age and is most common in males.

Andrew Preston has in depth knowledge on the health conditions that can affect the Siberian Husky breed. Siberian Husky care is important to prevent health problems from developing in your dog. In order to keep your dog in best health it may be necessary to have emergency care for your Siberian Husky.