The Alaskan Malamute has a great strength, beauty and unrivaled loyalty to their owner. With great beauty, comes great responsibility of ensuring that these dogs’ health is well taken care of. It is important for any owner to be educated about the specific health problems they are likely to encounter with their pets. In this blog, we will cover some of the common health troubles of Alaskan Malamutes and their suitable management strategies.
1. Hip Dysplasia
Another heritable disorder, which is incredibly frequent in Alaskan Malamutes, is hip dysplasia. This condition occurs when there is improper fitting of the femur head to the acetabulum which leads to arthritis and pain in the long term. The patient may have signs like trouble in getting up, low activity level, avoidance of running or playing. Assistance in treatment of this condition includes routine visits to the veterinarian, healthy body weight, and taking part in suitable physical activity. Such measures can help prevent the severe consequences that might arise. It is important to raise these dogs in such a manner as to guarantee their health long term.
2. Elbow Dysplasia
Elbow dysplasia falls into the same category as hip problems as it is an inherited disease that results in instability and arthritis of the elbow joints. Alaskan Malamutes tend to be more prone to this condition as they are larger and heavier then most dogs. In alleviating this discomfort, regular exercise coupled with a good diet will go a long way in assurance your dog maintains a good body weight. This is an important dogs habit that can prevent many health concerns.
3. Hypothyroidism
Ailments of this type include low thyroid hormone levels or hypothyroidism, which is also seen particularly in Alaskan Malamutes. Insufficient hormone production in the thryroid gland results in the patient suffering from weight gain, reduced metabolism and low energy levels among other problems. If there is a suspicion of this illness, blood tests at regular intervals may provide a timely diagnosis. In case it is diagnosed, a veterinary specialist will inform what type of drugs to take and how to use them in order to alleviate the above symptoms and the health of the dog in general.
4. Osteochondritis Dissecans (OCD)
Osteochondritis Dissecans is a condition that affects the joints of young, growing dogs. It occurs when the cartilage does not develop in the proper way, leading to apposthetic pain and lameness. Alaskan Malamutes are particulary prone to this condition as they grow at a tremendously fast rate of growth. In order to reduce the risk of ever developing OCD, it is essential to make sure your future pet gets the right amount of food and exercise.
5. Eye Problems
Alaskan Malamutes are also at risk of dehydrated eyes, or a condition in which the eyes develop cataracts or progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). But these problems can be controlled as Veterinarians regularly examine the eyes of the puppies. Possible symptoms include the appearance of fog in the eyes, difficulty viewing in dim light circumstances, and normal squinting.
Alaskan Malamute vs Siberian Husky: Health Considerations
In terms of the two categories of Alaskan Malamute vs Siberian husky comparison, it is interesting to say that certainly these are our breeds of dogs, however, they have some common health problems and known stressors. For instance, whilst both breeds are affected by elbow and hip dysplasia, the Siberian husky has some tendencies to specific eye disorders. Such differences allow to explain the individual features of the care and the specific approaches applied.
Maintaining Health and Well-being
An Alaskan Malamute dog requires extra care as an owner's cost. The risk factors such as regular veterinary, diet and exercises go a long way towards reducing the chances of these popular health concerns. Moreover, researching the breed type’s associated health problems would allow better treatment and avowing the quality of life of the dog.
Conclusion
To conclude with, Alaskan Malamutes be great friends but there are certain health issues that must not be ignored. It is crucial to know the common health problems like hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, hypothyroidism, osteochondritis dissecans, and eye problems so you can take preventative measures to keep your furry buddy in good health and happiness. Early intervention, similar with other health situations, combined with preventive measures makes a long satisfactory life for the Alaskan Malamute a reality.
