We have a malamute /husky mix. He will be 2 years old in May. We recently had him into the vet for hip problems, the vet said nothing about hip dysplasia, but showed us his x-ray, said he has arthritis, the femur balls are both very flat.
Now within the last week or 2 we are thinking he is having trouble seeing. The main thing is he has started backing away if we reach to pet his head, this has not ever been a problem before. One day, when the snow was melting we ended up with water in the entry, he is not afraid of water, usually goes right for the puddles, but this day he jumped over the puddle very delicately, like he was going to be injured or something if he touched it. He has a habit of getting a few bites of food and bringing them into the living room, that has always seemed odd to me as it is something I have only seen small dogs do but anyway, today he did it but he left food on the floor like he did not realize it was there. It is not an issue with any meds as all he is on is glucosamine and chondroitin for now, and an occasional aspirin, but none in several days. Any advice is appreciated, we will most likely be taking him to the vet next week.

Why are you giving him aspirin?

For his arthritis, it is what the vet wants us to use for now. At first it was given once a day (1 325 mg), now we don't even use it once a week, it is just when he gives us reason to think he is having pain or has over exercised. The vet advised until the supplements start to work to give it to him everyday that we play or walk him (which is everyday usually) I stopped earlier as he seemed better and I don't want to damage his stomach.

Can you test his eyesight somehow?

I am sure the vet can, when we take him next week. I am just looking for advice on here before we take him in.

Set up a mini obstacle course with pillows and boxes. Put him on one side and go on the other side, then call him and watch how he negotiates his way over to you.

That is a very good idea. I will give it a try

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Originally Posted by tashamarie80

We have a malamute /husky mix. He will be 2 years old in May. We recently had him into the vet for hip problems, the vet said nothing about hip dysplasia, but showed us his xray, said he has arthritis, the femur balls are both very flat.
Now within the last week or 2 we are thinking he is having trouble seeing. The main thing is he has started backing away if we reach to pet his head, this has not ever been a problem before. One day, when the snow was melting we ended up with water in the entry, he is not afraid of water, usually goes right for the puddles, but this day he jumped over the puddle very delicately, like he was going to be injured or something if he touched it. He has a habit of getting a few bites of food and bringing them into the living room, that has always seemed odd to me as it is something I have only seen small dogs do but anyway, today he did it but he left food on the floor like he did not realize it was there. It is not an issue with any meds as all he is on is glucosamine and chondroitin for now, and an occasional aspirin, but none in several days. Any advice is appreciated, we will most likely be taking him to the vet next week.

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Research on line - there is an inherited condition in malamutes involving blindness in bright light/sunlight.

Don't know if it applies to a mixed breed.