Comments on: How to Care for a Siberian Husky

on 10/31/2008 I feed raw chicken with the bone. He tends to get the runs and raw chicken has helps his digestion and his coat. Use chicken jerky, found in any pet store, as healthy treats for training. He'll do anything for them.

on 9/16/2008 I had a northern breed dog who had the same problem. the dermatologinst said to bathe him with head and shoulders with SULFANAMIDE. It did the trick. he was not only beautiful. He smelled great. I now have a husky with the same puky stink problem, and the only think that helped was antibiotics and flagyl to kill yeast organisma. Pls. don't put your loving sweet gentle husky in the yard. He will be miserable.

on 9/16/2008 I had a northern breed dog who had the same problem. the dermatologinst said to bathe him with head and shoulders with SULFANAMIDE. It did the trick. he was not only beautiful. He smelled great. I now have a husky with the same puky stink problem, and the only think that helped was antibiotics and flagyl to kill yeast organisma. Pls. don't put your loving sweet gentle husky in the yard. He will be miserable.

on 9/4/2008 we bathe our dog with ivory dish soap no kidding he smells good and the soap kills fleas better than ant other expensive and inexpensive flea shampoo also we garnier fructisse leave in conditioner to give him that extra boost of smelling good longer also if you brush him every other day try having his fur trimmed especially in the summer you dont have to brush him as often p.s. hope this helps

on 9/26/2007 I have a nine month old male Husky. He has not been fixed yet. I am having a terrible problem with him being Very stinky. I have read that you shouldn't have to bathe huskies more than a couple of times a year, but when I bathe him, he smells good for that day only. By the next day he smells "sour" again. So, I bathe him 1-2 times a week. I have tried different dog shampoos, vinegar water & dawn soap, I use a blow dryer on him, I brush him about every other day, I have tried baking soda rubbed into his coat, all to no avail. He is an inside dog, and the best dog I've ever owned, but he may become an outside dog soon, because my house reeks of him, and my husband is saying NO MORE. Help!!!!
P.S. I have him on a holistic dog food, and he is otherwise very healthy, with lots of energy.

on 3/15/2007 UNDERSTANDING ZINC DEFICIENCY IN SIBERIAN HUSKIES

When her Siberian Husky developed what appeared to be a skin infection, Kathy Stryeski, D.V.M., of Cream Ridge, N.J., tried antibiotics and steroids. Neither helped. Finally, she discovered that her dog suffered from zinc-responsive dermatosis due to a zinc deficiency.

Stryeski also learned that zinc deficiency is not uncommon in Siberian Huskies, or for that matter in “Alaskan” breeds such as the Samoyed and the Alaskan Malamute. Compared to other breeds, these breeds have a significantly higher risk of zinc deficiency, even if they are fed a nutritionally balanced dog food.1 “These breeds have a recessive genetic trait that affects zinc absorption,” says Stryeski, director of the Siberian Husky Health Foundation (SHHF).

An essential mineral involved in more than 300 enzymes in the body, including those responsible for DNA synthesis and normal cell growth and replenishment, zinc is especially critical for rapidly replaced cells in metabolically active tissues, such as the intestines, immune system and skin. Some of the most common effects of zinc deficiency include reduced immune function and skin disorders, as well as an increased risk for intestinal disorders and allergies.

Signs of Zinc Deficiency

Although the prevalence of zinc deficiency in Siberian Huskies is not known, Stryeski sees it occasionally in her practice. Of the 15 Huskies she has owned over the years, only one was diagnosed with zinc deficiency. Zinc deficiency is ranked as the 12th most common condition in the breed in a recent health survey of owners conducted by SHHF.

The first signs of zinc deficiency in her Siberian Husky were “scaly, itchy patches around the eyebrows, chin and ears and under the muzzle, and the hair fell out easily when it was rubbed,” Stryeski says. “Zinc deficiency looks very similar to mange, skin infections and even ringworm. The big thing is to rule out mange. To accurately diagnose zinc deficiency, a veterinarian should do a skin biopsy.”

Moderate zinc deficiency usually shows up on the skin with frequent irritations or infections, hair loss, reddening, scaling, crusting and lesions. Primary areas affected are the muzzle, legs, elbows, hocks and other pressure points, as well as around the mouth and anus. Crusting may form around the eyes, ears, vulva, scrotum and penis. In some cases, the footpads may be thickened, and the coat may become dull and dry. Secondary skin infections are also common.1

Prolonged zinc deficiency may result in weight loss, impaired wound healing and inflammation of the eye membrane and cornea. Lymph node conditions are also common, especially in younger dogs. In addition to skin problems, younger dogs may have growth abnormalities as a result of zinc deficiency.1

Zinc is particularly important in the immune system of animals and humans. Studies in people show that immune function impairment due to zinc deficiency can increase the risk for certain cancers and susceptibility to bacterial infection. Meanwhile, zinc supplementation may reduce the incidence of infection by restoring impaired immune function.2

Determining Zinc Deficiency

Since zinc-responsive dermatosis can mimic other skin disorders, a determination is based on history, age and breed, lesions and their distribution, and examination of skin biopsy specimens.3 Diagnostic testing can include skin scrapes examined microscopically; cytology testing to study cells; fungal cultures to identify bacteria; histologic evaluation through biopsy; and zinc therapy to see if zinc supplementation resolves the problem.3 The ultimate determination comes from an animal’s response to zinc supplementation.3

Two syndromes are associated with zinc-responsive dermatosis. Siberian Huskies typically develop Syndome I, which is caused by an inability of the intestines to properly absorb zinc. Syndrome I affects adult dogs between
1 and 3 years of age despite being fed a complete

on 1/16/2007 I had a Husky when I was too young to know about Huskies and my parents gave him to our uncle w/a lot of ground in PA. I always wanted another Husky and when the oppertunity arose I jumped on it.

I just received a 6 yr. old Husky from the adoptation service in Florida. He's beautiful. How long will it take him to come around to me and my wife. Are ages are 38.My question is : Are we in for trouble
ahead?

on 12/29/2006 In answer to your question a yes or now would not serfice, Huskies enjoy temperatures of -20o - 20oC but they are happier when its cool. I would ask myself the question will I have enough yard and play room in a city like florida and will the climate really suit this breed. If they get out and they will at some point in time the last thing you want your bub or small child doing is playing in traffic, its the same with a Husky. Space and exercise there is never enough for these guys. If you have the time to walk them regularly (twice daily minimum 1 hour, with sessions of running) but limited room you should be ok. I let my guys off the leash and play around in my unfenced yard, however I have a 4000m2 block (1 acre) and they come, but when they are read. (great to do for them in theory, if YOU have the time that is). Letting them loose can work well for your kids but not unless you have the respect of you companion first. Please ensure you read all the articals above and ensure you learn as much as possible first as if they get board (and you will know when they do) you will have a few wholes in your lawn, no cloths on the line, or no dog in the yard when you return for that matter. These guys are the best with kids and rarely evr smell. The fur is soft but the do shed like you just shaved a sheep when it comes that time of year. But I wouldn't pass up my two for a pot of gold!!!!!!!!!!

on 12/29/2006 Pups! and Is a Husky for you??? - I have read alot of the articals on this site and many books for that matter on our Siberian Huskies, I believe the best way to sum up how to care for your Husky is, feed them well, fresh chicken with rice, fresh fish, never anything out of a can or left over scraps unless they have no preservitives. NO DOG FOOD FROM OUT OF A TIN your KILLING your friend!!! Always exercise, 1h morning, 1hr evening with plenty of running. I have found a regular play date or having two Huskys keeps them well exercised but YOU still need to exercise them as well. Liver treats to train with but the best prize for a trick being a ball or tug rope which you inturn play with your Husky. If you think its just a dog and you have no time to walk it play with it speak to it or it will be the most obediant dog in the world, please get yourself a staffy or a cat. These guys are not for you, my huskies are members of the family and second to none. The only thing they dont do is eat at the dinner table.
The more you give them the more they will give you, Picture a 5 year old child and what they need and you have yourself a Husky. If you have what it takes you will never look back!!!! One of the smartest, loving, childish, playfull, unique personal children you will ever have... If you are looking at getting a dog I highly recomend this breed but please be prepared for a dog with a personality of a human and energy of a classroom full of kindergarten students.

on 12/15/2006 can huskies live in florida?

on 9/22/2006 Huskies need tons of exercise to keep them fit and happy! I've had mine for 3 years, and I have to have him pull me on roller blades every day to get him tired and keep him happy. Its his most favorite thing in the world! And he can up to enormously fast speeds on a city street! I suggest getting them dog shoes instead of risking ruining their paws.

on 9/10/2006 I am happy to say that I have two Huskies, both were rescued from the street. My first Husky is Alu, she is two years old she was found on a beach when she was about 7 or more months old. I have a children and they wanted a puppy, but Alu gave us her love since she met us. Lobo, my other Husky, was in the streets for about a month, my vet came to me because he knew all the love we have given Alu. At first, since I have kids, I didn't know if an adult dog would be safe for them. He was about 2 years old and came with skin allergies and very thin. When I looked in his eyes, I just couldn't resist and opened my heart to him.

The first week was very difficult. He tried to run away several times and we had to give him medicine, although he never attacked me or my kids. Now, one year has passed and when you see them you can only think that I have had them since they were pups. They are beautiful, gentle and very very loving to me and my family they are my little kids now.

My advice is to give those older dogs a chance, when time goes away there is no difference than if you had them as puppies. I think that the reason my dogs love me is because I was there when they need not only a home but love. I truly recommend considering adopting older dogs.

on 9/5/2006 I have two Huskies, a male and a female, Shane and Anana. Both are beautiful, sweet, intelligent, stubborn, and lovable. The female was impossible to keep in until we put up a taller, 6.5 ft. wooden fence (not chain link, they will climb it). We also have an invisible fence running outside the wood fence just to reinforce the security. It's true that you have to watch them with smaller animals. Our female was raised as a puppy with my older chihuahua mix and our other dogs, but a year ago when I was out she bit the Chihuahua very badly. Our Chihuahua (who is pretty feisty and may have provoked the attack) is fine now but we put her in her crate when we go out as we are afraid to leave her alone with our Husky. We don't blame Anana...she was just doing what Huskies do. By the way, Anana is a certified "Pets on Wheels" dog, visiting nursing homes. It is amazing to see the residents light up when she comes in, and she is extremely gentle and sweet with them.

on 8/8/2006 My Husky has escaped from my garden countless times, we just called him once and he came running back to us. But sometimes he wouldn't come back. So we walked the other way and he chased us!

on 8/8/2006 My Husky is 2 and she's very sneaky, if you don't pay attention to her. She hide my license and car keys under the bed when I took a shower. I didn't find them for 3 days! But I love her!