Alaskan Malamute
Breed description- see AKC for detailed standard
Breed problems can be both inherited or diseases and disorders seen frequently in a breed and mode of inheritance unknown. Both are listed.
Breed problemsAnemia with chondrodysplasia: a condition of Alaskan malamutes where there is malformation and maldevelopment of cartilage and red blood cells. Also called stomatocytosis because of the mouth-like shape of red blood cells. Causes Dwafism.
Cataracts
Coloboma: an abnormal development of the eye, usually seen in collies, which can lead to blindness
Corneal dystrophy
Corneal ulcer, superficial: an erosion of the outer membrane and outer surface of the cornea
Diabetes mellitus
Dwarfism - Chondroplasia with Macrocytic anemia
Factor VII deficiency - mild bleeding disorderFactor VIII deficiency or hemophilia A: the most common severe inherited clotting disorder of humans and nonhuman animals. Inhereited as a sex-linked recessive trait (carried by females and manifested in males).
Factor IX deficiency or hemophilia B: same as hemophilia A, but more rare and involves a different clotting factor
Glaucoma
Hemeralopia: inability to see in daylight.
Hermaphroditism: a syndrome where the individual has anatomical features of both sexes
Hip dysplasia
Hypothyroidism
IMHA - The Basenji, West Highland White terrier, English springer spaniel, Alaskan malamute, poodle and beagle breeds can be congenitally predisposed to this condition due to defects in enzymes (such as pyruvate kinase) or in the red blood cells.
Narcolepsy: a neurological disorder characterized by falling asleep suddenly (collapse) which can occur during periods of activity and last for varying lengths of time. Seen in Doberman pinschers and Labrador retrievers.
Osteochondritis dissecans: a specific form of inflammation of the cartilage of certain joints which causes arthritis.
Osteochondrosis: a group of developmental diseases resulting in abnormal formulation of joint cartilage. Commonly involves the shoulder, stifle, hock or elbow.
Osteochondrodysplasia
Polyneuropathy
Progressive retinal atrophy
Recessive hemeralopia
Retinal cortical hypoplasiaThere is a condition "uveodermatologic syndrome" in which uveitis and skin disease occur together (usually affecting mostly the face) but this usually occurs in young dogs of the northern breeds (Akitas, Siberian huskies, etc.)
Uveitis is often associated with a systemic illness leading to immune system problems in older dogs. Unfortunately this can be almost any systemic illness, although infectious diseases like ehrlichiosis, fungal infections, leptospirosis and others have most commonly been associated with uveitis. It can occur secondarily to cancer in some cases. There is a condition "uveodermatologic syndrome" in which uveitis and skin disease occur together (usually affecting mostly the face) but this usually occurs in young dogs of the northern breeds (Akitas, Siberian huskies, etc.). Hormonal diseases may be able to induce uveitis, too. Uveitis also occurs for no discernible reason in dogs.
Malamutes may have a predilection to the Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada-like syndrome and therefore, it has to be considered more carefully than some of the other differentials. This disease normally causes uveitis (inflammation of the eyes) as well as dermatologic signs. Most of the time, there is little visible skin disease other than pigment loss but some dogs with this condition do show the kinds of symptoms you describe (skin eruptions, etc.).
von Willebrand's disease
Zinc-responsive dermatosis
Alaskan Malamute Club of America
American Kennel Club - Alaskan malamute
Malamutes are more prone to the Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada-like syndrome than other breeds. This disease normally causes uveitis (inflammation of the eyes) as well as dermatologic signs. Most of the time, there is little visible skin disease other than pigment loss but some dogs with this condition do show the kinds of symptoms you describe (skin eruptions, etc.).
I have not used Panalog or other topical corticosteroids with much success. I'd be pretty happy if it was enough to control this sort of condition. I have used Vitamin E (not a great deal of success but seemed to be helpful sometimes) and oral corticosteroids. We did have one dog that did pretty well just with zinc oxide on its nose -- it didn't lick it off nearly as fast as it seemed like it could have.
We have seen seasonal return of pigment in a couple of dogs but I am not certain we were actually treating discoid lupus in any of these patients because we did not confirm a diagnosis through biopsy.
Mike Richards, DVM
This page was last edited 04/29/08
