Pomsky Health Problems

Pomskies are a relatively new dog breed so breeders and owners are still learning about the possible health conditions they might have. Pomskies can inherit health problems that are common in Huskies or Pomeranians. This blog post covers the most common health problems pomskies may have, so you can provide the best care and take preventative measures to keep your pomsky dog healthy.

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Allergies and Skin Irritation

Pomskies are prone to environmental allergies, which may result in itchy and dry skin, red irritated skin, sneezing, or a watery nose or eyes. Environmental allergies can include pollen, dust, mold spores, and other particles in the air outside or inside. Be sure to keep your home clean and vacuum frequently to remove extra dust particles. It may also help to use an air filter such as the Blueair Purifier to remove particles from the air throughout the day. Taking these cleaning measures will prevent your pomsky from being uncomfortable from breathing in the allergens.

Joint Problems

Patellar Luxation
Patellar Luxation is a health condition seen frequently in the Pomeranian breed, which makes it possible that pomskies can have this condition as well. When a dog has a loose knee cap that can pop or slip out of place, this is referred to as a luxating patella. A puppy may be diagnosed with luxating patellas but can strengthen the muscles around their knees to reduce the problems associated with this condition.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip Dysplasia occurs when a dog’s hip joints are not formed correctly, leading to painful arthritis in the hip joints. Common signs that a dog has hip dysplasia include hesitating before jumping up, jumping with both legs together, or having difficulty getting up after laying down.

Eye Problems

Juvenile Cataracts
Juvenile Cataracts occurs when a puppy has a cloudy eye lens. Pomskies are at risk for having this eye problem because Huskies are one of the few breeds that can have this condition. Juvenile cataracts can develop as early as 3 months of age but will usually appear by the time the puppy is 1 year old. Juvenile Cataracts can improve as the dog matures, because the lens in the dog’s eyes will grow and the cloudy portion will be small in comparison to the rest of the eye.
Corneal Dystrophy
Corneal dystrophy is a hereditary condition that some Siberian Huskies have, which makes pomskies at risk for having it. Corneal dystrophy is a progressive eye disease of the cornea that affects both eyes. It typically looks like a hazy gray area near the cornea of the eye.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Progressive Retinal Atrophy is a progressive retinal disease that leads to early loss of rod cells in the retina of a dog’s eye. The resulting effects are that a dog will start having difficulty seeing in the dark. As the disease progresses, the dog will also have difficulty seeing in the daylight and this can eventually result in complete blindness.
Entropion
Entropion is a condition that causes a dog’s eyelid to roll inwards. The hairs on the eyelid rub against the cornea of the eye, which can cause corneal ulcers, eye pain and perforations in the eye. Entropion is hereditary in Siberian Huskies, which is why pomskies may develop it. This condition can be permanently fixed with surgery, and antibiotics can be used to relieve discomfort and damage before surgery.

Head and Neck Problems

Collapsing Trachea
Collapsing trachea is a common condition found in small dog breeds such as Pomeranians. A collapsing trachea occurs when the trachea is weakened and narrowed, which leads to a dog having coughing and respiratory problems. When a dog is being walked with a collar attached to a leash and the owner pulls a different direction, this can put pressure on the dog’s neck, which may result in narrowing of the trachea. Pomskies are at risk for having this condition, so be careful while walking your pomsky and avoid pulling hard on the leash.
Dental Problems
Pomeranians are at a higher risk for having dental disease, which makes Pomskies at a higher risk as well. Dental disease is caused by tartar building up on the teeth, which can lead to infections of the gums and roots of the teeth. Dental disease can further lead to problems with other parts of a dog’s body including their kidneys, liver, and heart. Be sure to brush your pomsky’s teeth on a regular basis (at least 3 times a week) to avoid dental problems.

Other Conditions

Seizures
The Pomeranian breed can sometimes have seizures, which makes pomskies also at risk. The cause of the seizures can be a variety of things including a head injury, low blood sugar, water on the brain, hitting the head, etc. A veterinarian would need to determine the cause of a seizure on a case-by-case basis.
Heart Disease
Pomskies should be checked for heart problems during their first visit to the vetrinarian. Pomeranians are at risk for having a Heart Murmer, so it is important that a veterinarian listens to a pomsky’s heart for abnormal sounds or vibrations. If there are abnormalities in the dog’s heart structure or function, your veterinarian will be able to provide information about the surgical or medication options.
Hypothyroidism
Pomskies are also prone to having hypothyroidism, which is a result of the thyroid gland not producing enough of the hormone thyroxine. This condition can be diagnosed with a blood test and common signs include weight gain, hair loss and skin problems.

Summary

Since pomskies are a newer breed, it is important to be aware of the possible health conditions they may have. Ask your pomsky breeder questions about the health of the pomsky parents to ensure they are not passing on genetic conditions to your new puppy. You can also complete genetic testing on your pomsky, such as an Embark Dog DNA Test to check for various genetic health conditions. Always make sure you bring your pomsky in for regular health checks with a veterinarian.