Common Siberian Husky Health Issues

Q: Do Siberian Huskies have any health problems?

The Siberian Husky is a beautiful dog with a lifespan of 11 to 13 years. While they are relatively healthy, they may suffer from minor health problems such as progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), hypothyroidism, cataracts, and corneal dystrophy. To identify some of these issues, a veterinarian may run thyroid, hip, and eye exams on the dog.

Are you worried about your Siberian Husky Health Issues? Don’t worry! We will some of the most common health concerns associated with the Siberian Husky breed here. The Siberian Husky is a dog breed that is best known for its athletic build and friendly personality.

They were originally bred to pull light loads across vast, frozen landscapes and today they are one of the most popular dog breeds. Huskies are always up for the next challenge as long as it’s with their loved ones. They have striking blue or brown eyes that are hard to resist.

Below, we’ll discuss some of the most common health concerns associated with the Siberian Husky breed. By being informed about these potential health risks, you can be a prepared pooch parent when welcoming one of these adorable four-footers into your life.

Some of these common Siberian husky health issues include the following:

Zinc Deficiency or Zinc Responsive Dermatosis
Corneal Dystrophy
PRA or Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Hereditary Cataracts
Hypothyroidism
CHD or Canine Hip Dysplasia
Poisoning caused by plants
Heatstroke
Lymph nodes that are enlarged
Hot Spots

1. Zinc Deficiency or Zinc Responsive Dermatosis

Just like humans, dogs need zinc in their system to stay healthy. If they don’t have enough, it can cause Siberian Huskies to lose hair on their elbows, feet, hocks, and in particular areas like their eyelids, chin, and lips.

Brand	animal V, Inc
Item Form	Capsule
Unit Count	120 Count

See Price

Walmart

If you think your dog may be zinc-deficient, it’s best to consult your veterinarian for guidance. They may prescribe supplements, but only a professional can tell you for sure.

2. Corneal Dystrophy

Your husky may suffer from a hereditary eye condition that manifests as white dots on the cornea, resulting in hazy or opaque vision. Unfortunately, there is no known effective cure for this condition.

3. PRA or Progressive Retinal Atrophy

This is another hereditary form of eye disease that can affect your dogs. In this condition, the retina of your dog’s eyes gradually deteriorates. As a dog owner, you can early detect this when you have your dogs screened for the condition.

If you have a Siberian Husky puppy, you can let your dog undergo a PRA examination to see if they have an eye condition.

With this disease, your Huskies may suffer from night vision problems. Later on, their daytime vision will gradually become worse until they are completely blind.

4. Hereditary Cataracts

A lot of people mistakenly believe that cataracts are something that only affects elderly people, but this isn’t the case for Siberian Huskies. This eye condition is actually caused by genetics and heredity – meaning it can develop in young Huskies as early as three months old.

When a dog has cataracts, it causes the lens to become opaque and makes it difficult for light to enter the eye, resulting in impaired vision.

5. Hypothyroidism

This is a problem with your dog’s thyroid gland that causes an abnormal amount of hormone secretion. When your Siberian Husky has this disease, you may notice weight gain, even though they are not eating as much.

Brand	Nutrition Strength
Flavor	Chicken
Item Form	Tablet

See Price

Walmart

Additionally, fur loss and bald spots on their coat are other signs. If your Siberian Husky has this, they may seem lifeless and only want to stay in warm corners of your house.

6. CHD or Canine Hip Dysplasia

This is a genetic disorder that can affect your Huskies and is caused by the improper setting of the famous into the socket of the hip. In other words, the hock joint and elbow of your Husky are somewhat loose, which doesn’t allow the bones to stay in place.

See Price

Walmart

This disease is also visible in other breeds of dogs. To prevent your beloved dogs from suffering from this condition, it’s important to screen the parent dogs as part of a breeding program.

7. Poisoning caused by plants

While your garden may be a beautiful and refreshing sight, it could pose dangers to your Siberian Huskies. Some poisonous plants to look out for in your garden include Ferns, amaryllis, Chrysanthemums, Peace Lilies, and many more.

There are times when your dogs may choose to have a grass diet. When this happens, there is a greater possibility of poisoning. If you observe that your dogs are having seizures, vomiting, convulsions, or any other abnormal behavior, immediately seek assistance from your veterinarian.

8. Heatstroke

Too much exposure to heat can be dangerous for your Siberian Huskies and may cause them to suffer from heatstroke. To prevent this from happening, make sure they have access to plenty of water to drink each day and provide them with a cool area to stay in your garden.

See Price

Walmart

By taking these simple precautions, you can help keep your dogs safe and healthy.

9. Lymph nodes that are enlarged

If you notice anything abnormal about your Siberian Husky, such as lymph node swelling, be sure to ask your veterinarian for advice.

10. Hot Spots

Siberian Huskies are prone to developing hot spots – a condition characterized by skin lesions and hair loss. If your dog is continually licking the same area of their body, this is a sign that a hot spot may be developing.

Bacteria can quickly spread from the affected area to other parts of the body, so it’s important to seek professional medical advice from your vet as soon as possible. They will be able to recommend the best course of treatment, which may include using antibacterial spray products.

Diseases, if left untreated, may have serious consequences. To keep your Siberian Huskies healthy and avoid any unfortunate results, proper grooming and care is essential.

How to Focus on the Health of Your Siberian Husky

As a Siberian Husky owner, you should be aware of the potential health problems your dog may face and take steps to prevent them. You can do this by focusing on key areas of your husky’s care, like nutrition and diet.

A healthy diet is essential to keeping your husky strong and preventing disease. Make sure your dog gets enough to eat, drinks plenty of water, and has a balanced diet with enough sources of energy.

You should also monitor your husky’s weight, eating habits, and other food-related aspects to make sure they are staying healthy.

Exercise is just as important for your husky as a stable diet. You need to be prepared to give them daily walks, and this is especially important if you live in an apartment or have a small yard.

Another thing to keep in mind is that Siberian Huskies are high-maintenance when it comes to grooming. Their thick coats need to be brushed weekly, and they will need haircuts from time to time.

As a responsible Siberian Husky owner, you should take your dog to the vet for regular check-ups. The vet is a valuable resource for keeping your Husky healthy and preventing health problems before they start. Huskies are a huge investment, and they’re not the easiest dog breed to care for.

This means you have to be dedicated to taking care of your dog and making sure they’re healthy. Many of the health problems associated with the Husky breed are due to irresponsible breeding. It’s through responsible breeding that many of these health risks can be greatly reduced.

Siberian Husky Facts

Siberian Huskies are a type of dog that can withstand really cold temperatures, up to minus 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
While they don’t bark a lot, they really love to howl instead. In fact, their howls can be heard from up to 15 kilometers away.
There is even a bronze statue of a famous Husky named Balto near the entrance of Central Park in New York City.
Siberian Huskies are still being used in sled teams today and in Australia, there are even social sledding clubs.
They’ve even had a few starring roles in popular movies including Snow Dogs, Iron Will, Eight Below, and Snow Buddies.
Because they look very similar to Alaskan Malamutes, people sometimes confuse the two breeds but the most distinctive feature that sets them apart is their size – with the Alaskan Malamute being taller and heavier than the Siberian Husky.
In fact, Siberian Huskies are consider to be one of the oldest breeds of dogs, and in 1939, they were even accept by the American Kennel Club.

FAQ About Siberian Husky Health Issues

1- Do Siberian Huskies have any health problems?

The Siberian Husky lifespan is 11 to 13 years. While they are relatively healthy, they may suffer from minor health problems such as progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), hypothyroidism, cataracts, and corneal dystrophy. To identify some of these issues, a veterinarian may run thyroid, hip, and eye exams on the dog.

2- How often should Huskies be walked?

The ideal amount of time for a dog walk should be at a minimum, 30 to 45 minutes daily. This can be just once a day, but if your schedule allows, two walks a day would be even better for your furry friend. Dogs also generally like routine, so try to schedule the walk for around the same time each day if possible.

3- What is an overbred dog?

Overbreeding dogs happens when a bloodline is mated without considering the quality of the breeding stock. This practice is negligent and abusive, and it endangers and harms the mother and her puppies. Overbreeding can also lead to health problems in dogs.

4- How much sleep does a Husky need?

Huskies require, on average, 12-14 hours of sleep per day with the occasional nap adding an additional 1-2 hours to their daily sleep schedule. This varies by breed and age, however, as puppies generally need more sleep than older dogs.