Health Info

Main Menu

Health Info

Anemia: Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA)

In dogs with autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA), the immune system destroys red blood cells faster than new ones can be produced. The result is anemia, or reduced red blood cells, which means less oxygen is circulated to the tissues. This disorder is occasionally seen in the Alaskan Malamute.

AIHA is most common in middle-aged dogs, and it is more often found in females than in males. Evidence of disease ranges in severity - symptoms can be mild and hardly noticeable, or severe symptoms may come on suddenly. Vague symptoms are common and include poor appetite, weakness, listlessness and lack of energy. The dog's gums may be pale, or they may be yellowish due to jaundice as a result of the breakdown of red blood cells. A dog with AIHA may have a rapid heart beat and rapid breathing. One form of AIHA (cold agglutinin disease) causes circulation problems. The ear or tail tips, or feet may become infected and dark in color.

A veterinarian will draw blood for testing to determine if a dog is anemic. Diagnosis of AIHA is made by ruling out other causes of anemia and identifying antibodies on the surface of the red blood cells. Corticosteroid treatment can slow the destruction of red blood cells. Blood transfusions are needed when the red blood cell level is critically low; transfusions can buy the dog some time while his/her own blood cell levels are recovering. Severely affected dogs may die even with the best treatment. This mostly occurs in the first few days since the onset of the episode due to kidney, liver, or heart failure, or because of a bleeding problem. Dogs that recover from an episode of AIHA may experience future relapses.

Dogs that have been diagnosed with AIHA should not be used for breeding.

Behavior

You might not think of behavior as a health issue, but behavior problems are the number one reason why dogs end up homeless in America. Dogs who pee on the furniture, growl at the children next door, or come at grandma like an out-of-control steamroller are no fun to live with. Many of these behaviors are just naturally hardwired into dogs, though, and it's our job as their guardians to teach them how to behave in a way that is acceptable to us. It is not the dog's fault if no one ever taught him how to behave properly, or if he has insecurities that cause him to "act out." It's probably not your fault either. It's very likely that you just didn't have the information that you needed when you needed it. However, you are the one with the big primate brain and the opposable thumbs, so if your dog is going to improve, it's going to be up to you to make it happen.

Please don't be disheartened if your dog exhibits embarrassing or even dangerous behaviors. We've all been through it to one degree or another, and you can get help. This is one area where an ounce of prevention truly is worth a pound of cure. It is much easier to train a puppy than to re-train an adult dog. But don't give up if you have an older dog with some behavioral issues. There are many, many training and management techniques that will change your life and your dog's life for the better. The following links offer some of the best advice that we've seen on how to understand, modify, and manage your dog's behavior. Even more importantly, finding a competent trainer or certified behaviorist in your area can literally be a life saver for your dog.

If your dog suddenly develops uncharacteristic behavior problems, you should always check first with your veterinarian for a possible underlying illness. Chronic or acute pain, neurological disorders, diabetes, Cushing's disease, seizure disorders, hypothyroidism, and other health problems can cause unusual behavior, from house training mistakes to aggression.

Bloat

Canine bloat, or gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), affects mostly large and giant breeds and is found in the Alaskan Malamute. In cases of gastric dilatation, the stomach fills with gas. Increasing pressure prevents the gas from escaping by compressing both ends of the stomach. Most cases involve gastric volvulus, in which the stomach twists, cutting off the openings to and exits from the stomach.

Bloat is extremely painful and life-threatening. Almost one-third of dogs will die, or must be euthanized following a bloat episode. Dogs suffering from volvulus cannot swallow, belch or vomit, and they will drool and show increasing discomfort as stomach gases expand. The pressure causes the abdomen to distend, and the stomach may feel very hard or make a noise like a drum when tapped.

Known risk factors include a deep, narrow chest, old age and feeding one large meal of dry-type food daily. It is best to manage this latter risk by feeding smaller, more frequent meals. If you suspect your dog is bloating, get him to the vet immediately-bloat is an emergency! When the dog is affected by dilatation but the stomach has not twisted, the vet will insert a stomach tube down the throat to allow gases to escape. In cases of volvulus, in which a tube cannot reach the stomach via the esophagus, a hollow needle will be inserted through the gut wall. When the dog has recovered, it is advisable to have the vet perform gastroplexy, in which the stomach is tacked to the gut wall to prevent it from twisting in the future. Without this surgery, an affected dog is at dramatically increased risk of torsioning in the event of a repeat incident. Dogs that have bloated and survived are a high risk to bloat again.

Chondrodysplasia: (Malamute Dwarfism)

Chondrodysplasia is a genetic disorder in which puppies are born with bone deformities, which may become evident in abnormal shape and length of limbs as they grow. Also known as "dwarfism," chondrodysplasia is caused by a simple recessive gene, which means that both parents must carry this gene to produce an affected (chondrodysplastic) puppy.

In very young puppies (under six weeks of age), the deformity is usually impossible to detect without x-rays, even to the practiced eye. Chondrodysplastic dogs (dwarfs) can be affected in varying degrees. Some adults may appear almost normal, perhaps just unusually small, while others may have a disturbing resemblance to a Bassett hound. Chondrodysplastic malamutes can vary in size, just as normal malamutes do. We know of "dwarf" malamutes who stand 26 or 27 inches at the withers!

After it became obvious in the 1970s that chondrodysplasia has a simple recessive pattern of inheritance, a test-breeding program was implemented by the AMCA to distinguish carriers from non-carriers. While the program has been the source of occasional controversy, there is no doubt that it has been highly effective in limiting numbers of carriers of chondrodysplasia in the breeding population. The AMCA chondrodysplasia certification committee is still active today and has been working with the Alaskan Malamute Research Foundation to produce a DNA test that will simplify the task of identifying carriers and non-carriers.

Coat Funk

Coat funk is a disorder found in malamutes and a few other breeds, such as Pomeranians, Samoyeds, and Keeshonds. Veterinary dermatologists simply call the condition "alopecia X" because no one knows much about its cause or cure. In malamutes, the disorder appears to be inheritable, because many such dogs can be traced back to ancestors who had the disorder.

Coat funk causes the guard coat in affected dogs to become dry and brittle, eventually breaking and falling out. The wooly undercoat, thus exposed, can become dry and matted, and it, too, may eventually come out, leaving the skin bare in spots. Bare skin tends to turn black, though it does not seem to itch or bother the dog. Care should be taken to prevent sunburn or frostbite.

Symptoms vary widely, but one common aspect of all coat funk dogs is that they test negative for other "look-alike" disorders, such as allergies, hypothyroid or Cushing's disease. Indeed, the only way to diagnose coat funk is to rule out other possible causes for a coat problem. It does happen occasionally that a dog may have coat funk and another disorder, such as allergies or hypothyroidism. The dog's coat should return to health once the other problem is successfully treated. Suspect coat funk if the coat continues to worsen.

Diabetes

Dogs with diabetes mellitus are unable to use carbohydrates/sugars normally. In a healthy dog, certain cells in the pancreas produce insulin to regulate sugar uptake into cells throughout the body. In some forms of diabetes, the cells do not produce insulin, while in other forms insulin is produced, but body tissues do not respond. Diabetes is found in Alaskan malamutes.

While diabetes is hereditary in some cases, genetics is only one of many causal factors. Severely affected dogs usually have apparent symptoms by six months of age - pups drink and eat excessive amounts, but develop very slowly. Increased urination and soft stools are seen.

In other dogs, diabetes mellitus does not develop until middle age. Higher levels of glucose in the blood and urine cause increased eating, drinking, and urination, with weight loss. This can lead to the development of cataracts, liver disease, and pancreatitis. Many diabetic dogs also are more susceptible to bacterial infections, particularly of the urinary tract. Untreated diabetic dogs will develop ketoacidosis, a state of insulin deficiency aggravated by ensuing hyperglycemia, dehydration, and acidosis-producing derangements in intermediary metabolism. Ketoacidosis is indicated by depression, weakness, vomiting, and irregular breathing patterns.

To diagnose the condition, a veterinarian will look for elevated levels of glucose in the blood and urine. Ketones also may be present in the urine. A complete laboratory work-up also should be done to determine if any other condition may be causing or contributing to, or occurring as a result of, the diabetes mellitus. The standard treatment for diabetes mellitus is supplemental insulin, with a goal of normalizing blood glucose levels and minimizing variation in those levels. Diet changes and exercise usually are recommended. Emergency treatment for dogs with ketoacidois includes intravenous fluids and fast-acting insulin. Once the animal is stable, a regular regimen of longer-acting insulin, diet, and exercise can begin.

Epilepsy

Epilepsy, which is found in the Alaskan malamute, is the occurrence of repeated seizures. These seizures indicate that brain disease is present. A dog can have a classic "grand mal" seizure, or a partial seizure (also known as simple or complex focal seizures).

When a typical grand mal seizure begins, the dog stiffens and falls, then begins jerking movements. The dog cannot control its bladder or bowels during a seizure, and may urinate or defecate. The dog is not conscious during a seizure, though its eyes may remain open. A grand mal seizure usually lasts about two minutes. More serious seizures can occur in clusters, in which the dog seizes again and again in succession, sometimes culminating in a continuous seizure that doesn't stop (status epilepticus).

Simple focal seizures are characterized by twitching, most commonly in the face. The pet is alert and aware while this is happening, and often becomes confused. The seizure may stop there, or it may become a classic grand mal seizure. Complex focal seizures may cause the dog to run uncontrollably; engage in senseless, repetitive behavior; or, rarely, fly into a rage. These types of seizures often are accompanied by a grand mal seizure.

Anything that injures the brain in the right area can cause epilepsy. If the cause of the seizures can be determined, the dog has symptomatic (or secondary) epilepsy. If the cause can't be determined, the dog has idiopathic (or primary) epilepsy. Many idiopathic epileptics have inherited epilepsy, meaning that their epilepsy is caused by a genetic mutation inherited from their parents. Malamutes with idiopathic epilepsy frequently begin seizing between one and three years of age.

Seizures can have a number of causes; therefore, a single seizure does not indicate inherited epilepsy. Common causes include toxins (such as those found in some plants and pesticides), metabolic diseases and physical brain injury (for example, trauma or a tumor). Diagnosing idiopathic epilepsy is a process of elimination. If you suspect your pet is having seizures, your veterinarian can perform various tests to try to determine the cause, including physical and neurological examinations, a complete blood count (CBC), routine serum chemistry profile, urine analysis, bile acids assay and thyroid function tests. Affected animals should not be bred.

Eye Problems

The eye is very complex organ with many different, very important parts. In order for an animal to see perfectly, the parts must all be healthy and functional. Some damage/change can occur in dogs, however, without a significant reduction in their visual acuity or ability.

There are a large number of diseases or defects seen in the eyes of dogs, some of which are breed specific and others that are seen in all breeds and cross-breeds. Some are proven to be hereditary, some seem to run in families but a definite hereditary basis has not been established (but is highly likely), others are clearly not hereditary but are secondary to other conditions (such as other disease or just old age) or to some injury, and there are also some conditions where no-one yet knows what exactly is the primary cause, hereditary or environmental or "just one of those things."

To complicate matters further, some conditions that look (at least at first glance) the same or that have the same generic name may be clearly hereditary in some cases but not in others. It is becoming increasingly apparent that many diseases and malformations of the body do have a genetic basis, ranging from a polygenic inherited predisposition, which then needs triggering environmental factors to be seen, to a simple single gene mutation that results in an "all or nothing" effect.

Hip Dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is a genetically determined disease that causes a malformation of the hip joint. Faulty joint function leads to varying degrees of arthritis (also called degenerative joint disease). Degenerative joint disease can eventually result in considerable pain and debilitation in affected dogs. Hip dysplasia is caused by multiple genes, but scientists do not yet know which genes or exactly how many of them are involved.

No one can predict when or even if a dysplastic dog will start showing clinical signs of lameness due to pain. Multiple environmental factors can worsen the severity of clinical signs and speed deterioration in the hip joint, including excess weight, accelerated growth rate, and high-calorie or improperly supplemented diets.

Be alert for any stiffness in the dog's hindquarters, difficulty in getting up or lying down, or yelping or whimpering when moving the rear. There appears to be little correlation between the severity of radiographic changes (those seen on an x-ray) and a dog's actual mobility and comfort level. Many dysplastic dogs with extremely malformed hip joints and severe arthritis can run, jump, and play as if nothing is wrong, yet other dogs who show very little joint deterioration on film are noticeably lame.

By the time osteoarthritis shows up on an x-ray, dysplastic changes are irreversible and usually degenerative. If a dysplastic dog has secondary arthritis and pain, most owners elect an initial treatment of weight control and exercise management. Studies have shown that up to 76 percent of severely dysplastic dogs with arthritis secondary to HD are able to function relatively normally and live comfortable lives with conservative management.

Numerous drugs and alternative drug therapies known as "disease-modifying osteoarthritis agents" are available to control the signs of arthritis secondary to HD. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and glucosamine supplements are among the most popular interventions. Several surgical procedures are currently available to help certain categories of affected dogs. An orthopedic specialist can help determine whether surgery is a good option for your dog. Prior to initiating any therapy, make sure that your veterinarian gathers a complete medical history and performs a thorough physical examination to help determine the best treatment for your dog.

Because hip dysplasia is relatively common in malamutes, responsible breeders screen dogs for this disorder before using them in their breeding programs. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) evaluates x-rays and assigns a rating and clearance number to dogs two years and older with normal hip conformation. When inquiring about purchasing a puppy in the United States, expect the breeder to produce clearance certificates issued by the OFA for both parents. Another legitimate certifying body is Pennsylvania Hip Improvement Program (PennHip), but this program is relatively new. At this time, most malamute breeders still use OFA.

Hypothyroidism

Dogs with hypothyroidism have impaired production and secretion of thyroid hormones resulting in a decreased metabolic rate. The disorder may be acquired (a progressive deficiency of thyroid hormone) or congenital (present at birth). The acquired form is the most common in dogs and appears to be widespread in Alaskan malamutes, though we need more data to determine its exact prevalence.

Found most commonly in dogs aged four years or older, the disorder is the result of gradual atrophy of the thyroid gland or progressive replacement of the thyroid gland with lymphocytes due to an autoimmune process (lymphocytic thyroiditis). The disease tends to run in families and is therefore thought to be genetic, though the exact mode of inheritance is unknown. Affected dogs should not be bred.

A broad range of clinical signs make hypothyroidism a challenge to diagnose. Early signs include lower energy levels, unusual episodes of aggression, and increased susceptibility to infections. As the disease progresses, the dog may develop symmetrical hair loss, darkening of the skin, or dry or greasy hair. Other clinical signs include a slow heart rate, lethargy, difficulty maintaining body temperature, mental dullness, exercise intolerance, infertility, constipation and weight gain. A dog may exhibit all or only a few of these symptoms. When hypothyroidism is suspected, ask the veterinarian to do a complete thyroid assay.

Standard treatment consists of thyroxin supplementation once or twice a day for life. Within a week of starting treatment, the dog's attitude and activity levels should improve, although improvement in the skin and coat can take up to six weeks or more. With treatment, all symptoms should eventually disappear. If they do not, consider whether your dog may have been misdiagnosed. Because the symptoms are similar to those present in a variety of other disorders, hypothyroidism is among the most overdiagnosed of canine diseases.