No dog breed is completely free of inheritable genetic defects. However, the Siberian Husky has the fewest health problems of all the dog breeds. Overall the Siberian Husky has general good health and temperament, but you still need to keep an eye out for several Siberian Husky health problems.

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.

The condition in which the head of the thighbone or hip joint doesn’t fit properly into the joint socket is known as hip dysphasia. The condition normally isn’t present when the puppy is born, but rather it develops during the dog’s first two years of life. The condition progresses and during this time the hip is affected by inflammation, pain and arthritis.

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.

About one hundred fourteen dog breeds can be affected by hip dysphasia and the Siberian Husky is ranked one hundred eleventh in risk. By buying from breeders who can provide proof that both parents have passed the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals standards for breeding this is one of the Siberian Husky health problems that you can avoid.

Dogs can be affected by many eye defects, however only three of them are considered a concern among the few Siberian Husky health problems today. If you have a Siberian Husky the three eye conditions that you should be aware of are hereditary or juvenile cataracts, corneal dystrophy and progressive retinal atrophy. Each disorder affects a different portion of the eye and can be present in any eye color.

While Siberian Husky eye problems don’t happen often they are very serious and you should never overlook or underestimate them. As early as three months of age a Siberian Husky can develop hereditary or juvenile cataracts. The condition can cause between a decrease in eyesight in mild cases to complete blindness in severe cases. The outer transparent portion of the eyeball can be affected by corneal dystrophy.

It is often found in young adult dogs and is more common in females. There is no current treatment for this condition, however vision is seldom affected. Progressive retinal atrophy is a serious condition that can cause devastating loss of vision by as early as five months of age and is more common in males.

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