Alaskan malamute lifespan and diseases to watch out for

Alaskan malamute lifespan and diseases




Index


1 life expectancy

2 Diseases to watch out for

2.1 Hip dysplasia

2.1.1 Symptoms

2.1.2 Treatment

2.1.3 Prevention

2.2 Cataract

2.2.1 Symptoms

2.2.2 Treatment

2.2.3 Prevention

2.3 Alopecia X

2.3.1 Symptoms

2.3.2 Treatment

2.3.3 Prevention

3 Things to be aware of to being together for a long time

3.1 Get enough exercise

3.2Take measures against heat

3.3 Frequent maintenance

4 Summary


Average life


The lifespan of a dog depends on its size. Small dogs tend to live longer, 12 to 15 years, while large dogs live 10 to 13 years. As a large dog, the Alaskan Malamute has an average lifespan of 10 to 12 years, which is average for large dogs.


There are various theories about how to convert the average life expectancy, but if you compare it to a person, it is said that the age of a large dog is rough as follows.


Dog age                                        Human age

1-year-old                                    9 years old

2 years old                                   18 years old

3 years old                                   26 years old

4-year-old                                    35 years old

5 years old                                   44 years old

6 years old                                   53 years old

7 years old                                   62 years old

8-year-old                                    71 years old

9 years old                                   80 years old

10 years old                                 89 years old

11 years old                                 98 years old

12 years old                                 107 years old

13 years old                                 115 years old

14 years old                                 124 years old

15 years old                                 133 years old

16 years old                                 142 years old


What can owners do to keep their dogs together for as long as possible? I will explain points to note in daily life and diseases to be careful about.


Illness to watch out for

Here are some diseases to watch out for when breeding Alaskan malamutes:


Hip dysplasia

It is a morphological abnormality of the hip joint and is said to be commonly seen during the growth period.


Symptoms

Symptoms include:

  • Walking with a swaying waist.
  • Being unable to sit well.
  • Walking is like jumping because the hind legs cannot be used well.


Treatment


If it is mild, in addition to exercise restriction and weight management, pain relievers and laser therapy will be used to alleviate the pain.

In severe cases, surgery should be selected according to the hip joint's symptoms and condition.


Prophylaxis


Genetics play a part, so it's important to ensure the parent dog doesn't have hip dysplasia. In addition, it is said that excessive nutritional intake and intense exercise during puppyhood are the causes, so please try to give them food that is appropriate for their age and how to exercise without putting a strain on their joints.

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Cataract


A cataract is a disease that causes the lens to become cloudy. When the lens becomes cloudy, vision deteriorates, and if it progresses, it can lead to blindness.


Symptoms


As the cataract progresses, the eyes become whiter. In addition, as their eyesight deteriorates, they often bump into pillars and walls.


Treatment


Cataract treatments include medical and surgical methods. Medical methods include eye drops and oral medications. Unfortunately, this only slows the progression and cannot cure the cataract.


Another surgical method is to remove the diseased lens and replace it with an artificial lens. While a complete cure can be expected, there are risks, such as the high cost and the need for highly skilled doctors.


Prophylaxis


Daily care is important to prevent cataracts. For example, to remove sand and dirt, reduce the risk of eye disease by applying artificial tears when returning from a walk.


Alopecia X


Alopecia of unknown cause. Until now, it has been called various names, such as pseudo-Cushing's syndrome and growth hormone-responsive dermatosis, but recently the name has been unified as alopecia X.


Symptoms


There is symmetrical hair loss on the torso, but it is not itchy.


Treatment


Since it is only an appearance problem and does not place a burden on the dog's body, it is often not treated.


Prophylaxis


Prevention is difficult because the cause is unknown.

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Things to be aware of to being together for a long time


Get enough exercise


The Alaskan Malamute was used as a sled dog in Alaska, so it is a breed with a lot of stamina. Therefore, stress will accumulate if you do not secure the amount of exercise. Stress leads to problem behaviors such as barking and biting and has a major impact on health, such as imbalanced immune function.


Alaskan Malamute should be exercised twice a day for about 60 minutes and taking a walk while jogging; please include exercises such as pulling with toys and playing with a ball.


However, avoid strenuous exercise such as jumping from a high place, as joint diseases are likely to develop.


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Take measures against heat.


I was born and raised in the cold region of Alaska, so I don't mind the cold, but I don't like the heat. Therefore, heat measures are essential when breeding Alaskan malamutes.


People are hot in the middle of summer, so the air conditioner is always on. However, many households still do not use air conditioners around April and May. The weather is comfortable enough for humans to wear light clothes, but pets start to get heatstroke around April and May. The sun is very strong, and the temperature is rising, so take measures such as opening the windows to improve ventilation, keeping a cool mat for pets, and preparing plenty of water.


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Take good care of yourself.


The Alaskan Malamute has a thick coat and needs to be groomed frequently. Alopecia, one of the diseases to be careful about, does not cause itching, but if you do not take good care of it, ventilation will deteriorate. If bacteria grow, it may cause itchy skin disease. Therefore, it is important not only to keep the appearance beautiful but also to maintain hygiene.


Summary


Alaskan malamutes are prone to eye and joint ailments but not many breed-specific ailments. If you can detect it early, the burden on your dog will be less, so please take care of it daily.


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