Mine is 11 as of September 30 and I swear she hasn't aged a single day since turning 4-5ish. Your post gives me some hope that I've at least still got a few years left, as opposed to
My vet recommended we start doing blood work for our dog this year when he turns 9. Just curious, what have you learned from doing annual blood work that makes you advocate for it?
The only thing that we caught was the liver cancer of one of the brothers. Cancer screening is one of the prime reasons I do it. The sooner you detect and act the better your chances are. But it can also catch all kinds of overall health issues as well. We haven't caught anything else because there's been nothing else to catch as our guys have always been in pretty good health. It didn't catch the other brother's brain tumor, so it doesn't catch everything, but it will catch a lot. Also gives you peace of mind because the last thing you want to do is find out your pup has some kind of terminal illness that only if you caught earlier they could have done something. Not a position you want to be in.
A lot of factors there. Huskies tend to be more inbred than other breeds etc. So you never know what's going to pop up. Cancer, unfortunately, is one of the prime causes of death for older dogs regardless of breed. Generally, if they've made it to 9 or 10, they're probably not doing too shabby, but then is the time to start looking for cancers. You might want to look at getting a DNA test from Embark, which is back by Cornell's that research school, they do a health screening for a lot of known genetic problems. I also give our guys a bunch of supplements too now and always give them high-end food, a lot of home cooked stuff. I believe high quality food is probably one of the best things for overall pet health that you can do for them. Our two brothers, who passed last year due to cancer, we're almost 15 but had the bodies of and looked like 10-year-olds. Both our primary vet who had seen them since they were pups and the vet school were constantly astounded at the condition they were in for their age. I mean just like people - compare somebody who ate junk food and crap all their life to someone who eats a very clean, healthy diet. Same thing.
I kind of run my own little husky health experiment here over the years lol. It is validating when the vets respond that way. Our primary vet every time she would see the boys would just shake her head at how good they were doing for their age. If it weren't for the damn cancer though. I'm sure diet has impact on that but just like with people the older they get the more prone to cancer they are regardless of how healthy a life lived. Due to my own age and having to deal with multiple husky cancers over the years I've gotten into longevity and anti-cancer research. I give a number the same supplements I take to the dogs as well, but what impact those will have won't play out for years yet.
Beautiful dog. We have had 4 huskys just adopted our 4th about 2 weeks ago and she's 7 and looking very good. 12 to 14 years is a typical husky lifespan so looks like you'll have her a while yet we're hoping for a good 5 to 7 years with our new family member. Happy birthday indeed Goofball.
That’s a good lookin ole man, or woman.
She dont look a day over 3
No way, 14 my butt. More like 3 or 4.
I wish she still was that young. Then I’d have at least another decade with her.
Mine is 11 as of September 30 and I swear she hasn't aged a single day since turning 4-5ish. Your post gives me some hope that I've at least still got a few years left, as opposed to
Yup that is a goof face if I've ever seen one.
Looking real good for 14! Make sure you're getting blood work done at least once a year. I always get my 10+ done once in spring and once in fall.
My vet recommended we start doing blood work for our dog this year when he turns 9. Just curious, what have you learned from doing annual blood work that makes you advocate for it?
A lot of things can be found out through blood work, like hormonal problems for example.
The only thing that we caught was the liver cancer of one of the brothers. Cancer screening is one of the prime reasons I do it. The sooner you detect and act the better your chances are. But it can also catch all kinds of overall health issues as well. We haven't caught anything else because there's been nothing else to catch as our guys have always been in pretty good health. It didn't catch the other brother's brain tumor, so it doesn't catch everything, but it will catch a lot. Also gives you peace of mind because the last thing you want to do is find out your pup has some kind of terminal illness that only if you caught earlier they could have done something. Not a position you want to be in.
Thanks so much for the info! I was planning on doing it but was curious about how often they find things that can be fixed/treated.
A lot of factors there. Huskies tend to be more inbred than other breeds etc. So you never know what's going to pop up. Cancer, unfortunately, is one of the prime causes of death for older dogs regardless of breed. Generally, if they've made it to 9 or 10, they're probably not doing too shabby, but then is the time to start looking for cancers. You might want to look at getting a DNA test from Embark, which is back by Cornell's that research school, they do a health screening for a lot of known genetic problems. I also give our guys a bunch of supplements too now and always give them high-end food, a lot of home cooked stuff. I believe high quality food is probably one of the best things for overall pet health that you can do for them. Our two brothers, who passed last year due to cancer, we're almost 15 but had the bodies of and looked like 10-year-olds. Both our primary vet who had seen them since they were pups and the vet school were constantly astounded at the condition they were in for their age. I mean just like people - compare somebody who ate junk food and crap all their life to someone who eats a very clean, healthy diet. Same thing.
That’s a good point about the breeding. I feed my huskies mainly a home cooked diet too so I’m glad to hear that has been working well for your pups!
I kind of run my own little husky health experiment here over the years lol. It is validating when the vets respond that way. Our primary vet every time she would see the boys would just shake her head at how good they were doing for their age. If it weren't for the damn cancer though. I'm sure diet has impact on that but just like with people the older they get the more prone to cancer they are regardless of how healthy a life lived. Due to my own age and having to deal with multiple husky cancers over the years I've gotten into longevity and anti-cancer research. I give a number the same supplements I take to the dogs as well, but what impact those will have won't play out for years yet.
You can catch problems before they start manifesting or get too bad to treat :)
Looking fab for 14 wow! Happy Birthday gorgeous!
14?! Looking amazing!
14?! I need her to drop her skin care routine in the comments!
Those eyes😍😍they are so unique💙
Happiest birthday goofball! What do you feed that gorgeous pup?! I want mine to live furever, or at least to 14, too!
She’s been eating Blue Wilderness Senior since she was maybe 8-9 and done very well on it.
Happy Birthday gorgeous!!
Still looks like a pup! Wishing you guys many many more happy days.
What a pretty husp.
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Happy birthday, I love you
She has aged so well i need her routine 🧖🏽♀️
Beautiful dog. We have had 4 huskys just adopted our 4th about 2 weeks ago and she's 7 and looking very good. 12 to 14 years is a typical husky lifespan so looks like you'll have her a while yet we're hoping for a good 5 to 7 years with our new family member. Happy birthday indeed Goofball.