HEALTH CARE
Dogs suffer many of the same physical illnesses as humans. They might even share many of the sane psychological problems. Since dog's speak, we have to look for clinical signs. Your selection of vet should not be based upon personality but upon his or her convenience to your home. You want a vet who is close because you might have emergencies or need to make multiple visits for treatments. In every case you should have your newly acquired puppy examined by a vet immediately. Vaccination programs usually begin when the puppy is very young.
Organs: 1. Esophagus 2. Lungs 3. Gall Bladder 4. Liver 5. Kidney 6. Stomach 7. Intestines 8. Urinary Bladder
DISEASE REFERENCE GUIDE:
| What is it? | What causes it? | Symptoms! | |
| Leptospirosis | Severe decease that effects the internal organs; can be spread to humans. | A bacterium, which is often carried by rodents, that enters through mucous membranes and spreads quickly throughout the body. | Range from fever, vomiting and loss of appetite in less severe cases to shock, irreversible kidney damage and possible death in much severe cases. |
| Rabies | Potential deadly virus that infects warm blooded mammals. Can be spread to humans if bitten by such an effected animal. | Bite from the carrier of the virus, mainly wild animals. | 1st Stage - dog exhibits change in behavior, fear. 2nd Stage - dog's behavior becomes more aggressive. 3rd Stage - loss of coordination, trouble with bodily functions. |
| Parvovirus | Highly contagious virus, potentially deadly. | Ingestion of the virus, which is usually spread through the faeces of infected dogs. | Most common - severe diarrhea. Also vomiting, fatigue, lack of appetite. |
| Kennel cough | Contagious respiratory infection. | Combination of types of bacteria and virus. Most common - Bordetella bronchiseptica bacteria and para influenza virus. | Chronic coughing. |
| Distemper | Disease primarily affecting respiratory and nervous system. | Virus that is related to the human measles virus. | Mild symptoms such as fever, lack of appetite and mucous secretion progress to evidence of brain damage. |
| Hepatitus | Virus primarily affecting the liver. | Canine adenovirus type 1 (CAV-1). Enters system when dog breathes in particles. | Lesser symptoms include listlessness, diarrhea, vomiting,. More severe symptoms include clumps of virus in the eyes "blue-eye". |
| Coronavirus | Virus resulting in digestive problems. | Virus is spread through infected dog's faeces. | Stomach upset evidenced by lack of appetite, vomiting and diarrhea. |
VACCINATION SCHEDULING
Most vaccinations are given by injection and should only be done by a veterinary surgeon. You must take your vet's advice as to when to vaccinate as this may differ according to the vaccine used. Most vaccinations imunise your puppy against viruses. On collecting your new puppy, you will be provided with the Veterinary Vaccination Certificate by the breeder. Continue with the vaccination date as stipulated on the card or booklet.
PARASITE CHART:
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Flea
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The most common external parasite is the flea. In warmer climates these pesky insects can make everyone, dog and human alike, miserable. A Malamute with fleas can render himself hairless in an amazingly short time. Fleas spends much of its life off the dog in the grass, beddings, carpets, cracks in concrete, etc. jumping on the dog for dinner or transportation. many products are available to treat your infected yard and dog. Fleas can contribute to many skin problems. Frontline Spray or Top Tip is ideal to treat your Malamute against fleas and ticks. Consult your vet for which product to use on your dog when having a flea problem. |
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Ticks
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Ticks carry several diseases which can affect mammals, including Spotted tick fever, Canine Ehrlichiosus and Lyme Disease, all of which poses serious health problems for affected animals. Ticks can be found in wooden areas, land used for grazing livestock, high grass and coastal areas. During the warmer months on tick-prone areas, be sure to check both yourself and your Malamute for ticks. In South Africa we get the larger blue/grey and small red ticks. Never just pull them them off, the head will be left embedded in the skin which can cause irritation and infection. Instead, put alcohol or nail polish remover on it to intoxicate or kill it. When it releases its, the tick can be removed safely and either be burned. Frontline Spray or Top Tip is ideal to treat your Malamute against fleas and ticks. Consult your vet for which product to use on your dog when having a tick problem. |
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Flies
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Flies love ear tips and will torment some dogs and ignore others. If you have this problem with your dog, a petroleum jelly coating may provide adequate protection or apply Fly-Away ointment to the ears. This can be obtained from your Vet or Pet Shop. |
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Worms
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Most animals and humans have worms and other parasites living inside their bodies. Most of the worm infections are relatively easy to control. If they are not controlled they eventually weaken the host dog to the point that other medical problems occur. Roundworm infect and lives in the dog's intestines. The greatest danger of roundworm is that they infect people too. It is wise to have your dog tested regularly for roundworm. Hookworm attaches itself with hooks to the intestines of the dog, but is rarely found in pet or show dogs. Tapeworm are carried by fleas. The dog eats the flea and start the tapeworm cycle. Tapeworm infection is not life threatening to dogs. Normally your dog gets treated against worms every time you take your dog for vaccination. Enquire from your vet. |
LARGE BREED DEFECT CHART:
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Defects which can be present in any large breed and which can have an effect on the health and well-being of your Alaskan Malamute. (For more detailed information on the defects, please double click on the hyperlink in the left column.) |
| Chondrodysplasia | Disordered growth of the long bones, resulting in bent limbs |
| Extra row of eyelashes, often rubbing on the cornea | |
| Eyelids rolled inward, against eyeball | |
LARGE BREED DISEASE CHART:
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Hereditary & Congenital Diseases which can be present in large breed and which can have an effect on the well-being of your Alaskan Malamute. (For more detailed information on the disease, please double click on the hyperlink in the left column.) |
| Hip Dysplasia | |
| Recessive hemerlopia | Cannot see in bright light - also known as Day Blindness |
| Anemia with Chondrodysplasia | Insufficient red blood cells with disordered growth of the long bones, resulting in bent limbs |
| Chondrodysplasia | Stunted forelegs, lateral deviation pf paws, carpal enlargement, lateral bowing of forelegs and top line sloping forward. |
| Hemophilia A, Factor VII, Factor VIII or AHF deficiency | Clotting disorder, prolonged bleeding. |
| Renal cortical hypoplasia | Malformed kidneys |
| Corneal dystrophy | Deposits or calcium and cholesterol crystals in the cornea |
| Hereditary polyneuropathy | Multiple malfunctioning of nerves, resulting in muscle weakness |
A WELL BALANCED NUTRITION IS ESSENTIAL FOR THE WELL BEING AND HEALTH OF YOUR MALAMUTE
