Ulcers are deeper wounds that involve the middle and sometimes even the inner layer of the cornea. There may be times when you are not sure if your Maltese is ill; is your dog just tired, having an off day, or could you be noticing signs of a more serious issue? The Maltese is also susceptible to other health problems, such as eye problems (e.g. Puppies are seen quite often, due to having their scheduled puppy shots. Signs include coughing (sometimes with an odd honking noise), intolerance to exercise, and/or wheezing. See my advice on → keeping your dog healthy (feeding, vaccinations, neutering, veterinarians, and more). But, with the knowledge of these common dog health problems, you may be … In general, the Maltese is a healthy, hardy little dog, but as in so many other breeds, certain health problems can arise. Early detection plays a vital role in successful treatment. With this, there is a genetic weakness in the rings of cartilage surrounding the windpipe that eventually leads to ring(s) collapsing inward. Obese dogs are especially vulnerable to this health problem. Malteses have big bulging eyes, so it is easy for them to sustain injuries to their eyes. Eye Problems. What Health Problems Are Common in Maltese Dogs? More studies need to be done; however, it is agreed that there. The Maltese has a good life span in comparison to many other breeds. Since breathing difficulties can be dangerous, it is important to have a diagnosis made as soon as possible. With mild shunts, there may be not noticeable symptoms. There are several reasons why a Maltese puppy or dog will shake his head. What are the most common health issues for Maltese? https://thebichonbuzz.com/bichon-frise-5-common-health-problems What colors do Maltese come in? Veterinarian wellness checks are an important part of caring for a Maltese. There are some issues that are seen secondary to such things as allergies, and there are other conditions such as infections and infestations including. Other potential health problems with the Maltese include hypothyroidism, glaucoma, dental problems and deafness. Treatment is available. The Maltese dog breed is prone to colitis. As adults, the windpipes of tiny dogs can collapse, which causes difficulty breathing and makes it … And a CBC (complete blood count) will be run. The degree of PDA can be minor or severe. With this, a blood vessel called the ductus arteriosus does not properly close as it otherwise would shortly after birth. As they cannot hear, they fail to obey verbal commands. Common Maltese health conditions Heart Murmurs (typically in older Maltese) As Maltese age, they are prone to heart murmurs. Though generally considered to be a healthy breed, Maltese are not immune to this type of problem, so if you are interested in purchasing a Maltese, you should be aware of their common problems. If the murmur worsens to a grade 4, 5, or 6, there can be issues such as troubled breathing, coughing, and exercise intolerance. The severity of liver shunts will vary. Therefore, if. This said, drying to the point of visible flakes, peeling, and certainly cracks is a red flag. The trachea (windpipe) is made up of rings of cartilage. Colitis. Fortunately, there is treatment for this and prognosis is good if caught early. In general, Shih Tzu are considered a healthy breed of dog, but they can experience some health conditions. Moderate to severe cases in which the lash touches the eye will need treatment. Even though they are traditionally a pretty healthy dog breed, Shih Tzu’s are prone to a few health issues. However excessive discharge, any heavy crusting, or chronic tearing should not be ignored. Malteses are intelligent, affectionate, and known to be one of the most gentle-mannered of the toy breeds. The main symptom of luxating patella is an intermittent hopping on the limb when the patella pops out of place. Liver Shunt. And it is often fatal when present for extremely young puppies since they do not have the strength nor the size to tolerate the defect, and this brings them to a point of heart failure. This health condition used to be found almost entirely with just solid white dogs like the Maltese; however, it is now being seen with other breeds. proper medications to control symptoms. Maltese are considered a relatively healthy breed when purchased from a reputable breeder. But Malteses are susceptible to several health problems that are common to small breed dogs. Home | Privacy | Disclaimer | Contact Us. Common Maltese Diseases & Conditions Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. Corneal abrasions and ulcers are injuries to the cornea caused by trauma, such as scratches. Those adorable button eyes can be subject to problems, with blindness resulting in some cases. Read more. It is advisable to use a harness (not collar) on a small dog like Maltese to protect the dog’s throat and airway. This is a condition in which a dog's eyelashes grow abnormally. Extrahepatic shunts can be corrected by surgery relatively easily. Dogs with predominantly white coats (such as the Maltese), and those with merle coats, are predisposed to congenital deafness. Maltese health problems that are related to the eyes include: Maltese has long hair around the face. However, most dogs cope very well with a hearing disability, and they can be trained to respond to hand and light signals. The hair in the nasal folds may grow up against the eyeball and rub against the cornea. mites, mange, yeast infection, and dandruff. This includes ear infections, ear mites, and idiopathic head tremors, among others. Also avoid snacks rich in starch and sugar. During your dog's annual exam, the vet will check vitals, run tests on a stool sample, do a urinalysis, and check hips, back, elbows, and knees. The collapse of the trachea wall leads to a narrowing of the windpipe. Health Issues Common to Maltese. Patent ductus arteriosus affects many dog breeds including the Maltese. The thermometer should be inserted to the length that is equal to your Maltese's paw; this is typically 1/2 to 1 inch. The dogs teeth should be brushed regularly, it should never eat sweets, especially human food. Hip and Leg. are environmental conditions that can trigger this to happen. This results in a heart murmur that can be felt through the body wall. Bronchodilator drugs can treat mild to moderate symptoms. The most accurate reading will be via a canine anal thermometer. Health Risks for Teacup Dogs Doctors say common health issues for teacup dogs include hypoglycemia, heart defects, collapsing trachea, seizures, respiratory problems, digestive problems, and blindness. With this, the fluid that normally surrounds a dog's brain increases in volume. The Maltese is one of the oldest European toy breed dogs. This is a great time for you to ask any questions that you may have. Depending on the severity, treatments can range from medications to surgery. For example, this may be brought on by stress in some cases and due to parasites in others. These are graded on a scale from 1 to 6. This can cause problems to the nervous system, resulting in seizures and even coma. Maltese Dogs Health Problems Maltese dogs often tend to suffer from diseases such as hypoglycemia, dental problems, tracheal collapse, and luxating patella. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary. Other Maltese puppies’ health issues related to eyes are conjunctivitis, corneal abrasions, corneal ulcers. It is not uncommon for dogs with a single layered coat to have an array of skin issues, and the Maltese is no exception. Teacup Maltese breed has their consequences, and these compact size dog breeds are susceptible to the health issues compared to the regular Maltese.. If you are going through a breeder to find your perfect little pup, take time to seek out a reputable breeder who will provide verification that your pup's parents have been tested for health defects and are healthy for breeding. Typically no treatment is required for a grade 1 to 3 murmur. Maltese Health Risks While the long lifespan of the Maltese does seem to show that it’s a healthy dog, there are some serious conditions the breed is predisposed to. In addition, life span is also affected by health issues that a breed is prone to. Here is my complete list of health problems in Maltese. A Maltese with a corneal ulcer usually avoids the light. This is thought to be related to an autoimmune reaction, and will cause full body tremors; though, it is believed that a dog does not feel any discomfort or pain. The symptoms are bumping into objects or becoming disoriented. Making sure that you provide proper daily care, keeping scheduled wellness checks, and being aware of the signs of certain health conditions will all work together to keep your Maltese puppy or dog as healthy as possible. White Dog Shaker Syndrome. The normal temperature of all dogs 4 weeks and older is between 99.5° to 102.5°F. Hip Dysplasia is common with some small breed dogs such as the Maltese. Corneal ulcers are very painful and cause severe tearing, squinting, and pawing at the eye. Other Maltese health problems that we need to pay attention to include: Luxating patella is a congenital disease in which the alignment of the bones and joints of the hind leg is abnormal, resulting in a displacement of the patella to the side of the joint. You will recognize this health problem when you find blood and mucus inside your dog’s feces. The typical sign of this problem is a goose-honk cough, sometimes with gagging and harsh breathing, and made worse by stress and exertion. The treatment of choice is by surgery. All text and photographs protected by US and International copyright laws. Ears, nose, mouth, and eyes will be examined. Allergies aren’t harmless, but those who sneeze and wheeze may find this breed more tolerable than others, although Maltese are fully capable of causing an allergic reaction in … This will slowly increase to a temp of 100°F at the 4 week mark. A Maltese is always solid white, or white with light tan or lemon shadings on his ears. 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