Sometimes your Maltese's kneecap (patella) may slip out of place. Maltese are generally peaceful and get along great with other pets in their own family. Being stepped on good Maltese owners learn to shuffle their feet forward and backward rather than stepping up and down, Choking on the tiniest objects scan your floors frequently for anything that might have fallen, Being conked on the head by a dropped, thrown, or falling object, Leaping or falling from a high bed or high-backed sofa, or through the open slats of a stairwell landing or a raised deck. All dogs, whatever their size, should be taught how to walk on their own four feet, how to do what they're told, and how to get along peacefully with the world. Maltese (and Maltese crosses and mixes) are frequently available from Dog Rescue groups. The normal body temperature for newborns is between 96-97F. YourLombard Veterinary Hospital team will also recommend preventive medication as necessary to keep her healthy. Another important factor is that a dog should not be overweight, as this is likely to make the problem worse. If we dont prevent or treat dental disease, your buddy may lose her teeth and be in danger of damage to her kidneys, liver, heart, and joints. This can trigger instinctive chasing behavior in breeds such as medium to large terriers, sighthounds, herding breeds, and northern (spitz) breeds like Alaskan Malamutes and Akitas. All rights reserved. Clearly, attention is therefore necessary to keep the eyes clean and this should be a routine aspect of grooming this breed. If you live in a cold or rainy climate, housebreaking will be especially difficult, because Maltese hate cold and wet. Von Willebrands disease is a blood clotting disorder frequently found in Maltese. We will evaluate his eyes at every examination to look for any signs for concern. The same tests will need to be repeated at least every year to monitor the condition. Routine blood testing prior to surgery also helps us to identify and take precautions against common problems that increase anesthetic or surgical risk. Symptoms include frequent passing of urine, blood in the urine, straining to pass water, general weakness, depression and loss of appetite. It might be interactive dog toys, or a homemade obstacle course, or learning tricks, or playing games such as Hide 'n Seek. There is a general consensus among canine genetic researchers and veterinary practitioners that the conditions weve described herein have a significant rate of incidence and/or impact in this breed. If you suspect that your Maltese may not be feeling well, it is a good idea to take his temperature. Daily brushing and regular grooming is needed every 6-8 weeks to keep her coat beautiful. His gums will look whitish or yellow instead of a normal bright pink color. Videos? Of course, we cant cover every possibility here, so always check with us if you notice any unusual signs or symptoms. Solve Behavior Problems By Teaching Your Dog To Respect You. Here is my complete list of health problems in Maltese. Surgery may be needed, but in some cases, we can treat with a special diet and medication. You can do this yourself, or have a professional groomer do it. It is therefore important to pay close attention to the care of teeth and gums so that they remain as healthy as possible, thereby preventing decay, infection and resultant loss. They don't shed much. 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. If your friend has diarrhea or digestive upsets that are not explained by more common reasons, diagnostic tests, which may include intestinal biopsy, will be needed. Your Maltese is much more likely to end up anxious and insecure (or bratty and yappy) if you treat him like an infant or a stuffed toy. In cases of digestive problems giving rise to bad breath, charcoal, either in the form of tablets or granules, can often help. To help prevent these conditions, feed only a high-quality pet food (we can help you choose the right diet) and, most importantly, avoid snacks and table food. Their internal organs are often weak and can fail suddenly. Most cases of tracheal collapse are mild and can be treated symptomatically with medication. Some of these activities are included in my training book, Teach Your Dog 100 English Words. Insert relevant sections from buying page. A fall from a few feet up, especially over a hard surface, can result in a broken leg or concussion. I'll be happy to show you how to raise and train your new family member. The hardest thing to teach most Maltese is housebreaking. Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, is an immune system disorder common in Maltese in which the intestinal lining becomes overrun with immune system cells called lymphocytes and plasmacytes. Your Maltese is more likely than other dogs to have a liver disorder called portosystemic shunt (PSS). This includes ear infections, ear mites, and idiopathic head tremors, among others. Ears, nose, mouth, and eyes will be examined. When symptoms are severe, however, surgery may be recommended. Finally, Maltese are prone to separation anxiety when left home too long by themselves. A COVERED potty area is strongly recommended. This can cause severe discomfort and an inability to perform daily activities. Painful gums, bad breath, and adult tooth loss can result if untreated. The only potential negative to a clipped coat is that some of the shed hair can more easily fall onto your floor and furniture. If an older child is trustworthy and your Maltese is calm and wearing a harness and leash, you can place her in the child's arms, but keep the leash short and under control. Congratulations! The trachea, or windpipe, is made up of rings of cartilage that look similar to the ridged hose of a vacuum cleaner. But if you want a very small and light-shedding breed with more spunk than the breeds above, Yorkies are a nice blend of terrier and toy traits. Instead, give her a hug, brush her fur or teeth, play a game with her, or perhaps take her for a walk. The general temperament of your Maltese depends to some extent upon genetics outgoing parents tend to produce outgoing youngsters. Maltese can look like prey animals, especially when they move quickly. The degree of PDA can be minor or severe. She can be taught to perform a variety of tricks to help keep her mentally stimulated. Please be a responsible buyer and stick with Maltese who will mature at 4 pounds and up, who have the best chance of living a normal healthy life. Many toy dogs and other small breeds suffer from trouble with the knee joints, known as luxating patella, though of course only a few individuals are thus affected. However, this is often a progressive disease. Sometimes even a minor irritation will cause a dog to lick at his own skin, and this can all too easily develop into a habit. Without frequent brushing and combing and trimming, a Maltese becomes a matted mess. You will know what to watch for, and we will all feel better knowing that were taking the best possible care of your pal. If your pal has this condition, we may recommend surgery to close the problematic vessel. The severity of liver shunts will vary. Sadly though. still very hard to housebreak! This is one of the most commonly inherited diseases in dogs, and your Maltese is more likely than other dogs to develop this painful condition. In more severe cases, signs include poor growth rate, weakness, diarrhea, constipation, drooling, increased thirst, increased urination, pacing in circles due to confusion, and/or seizures. You must teach your Maltese not to bark excessively and to stop barking immediately when you tell him to. With this condition, the ball and socket of the dog's hip slips out of place. Being accidentally jumped on by a larger dog, Being grabbed by a great horned owl or an eagle (even a large hawk, if the Maltese is still a puppy), dental disease weak crooked teeth that form tartar as quickly as you can scrape it off; their mouth is too small to provide firm footing for healthy teeth, luxating patella loose knee joints, which can require expensive surgery, chronic allergies that cause terribly itchy skin, collapsing trachea a weak windpipe, resulting in chronic coughing, liver shunt a severe liver condition that requires tricky surgery. Most heart disease in dogs is caused by the weakening or slow deformity of heart valves such that they no longer close tightly; blood then leaks back around these weakened valves, straining the heart. And their prices are typically ridiculous. Symptoms include coughing, weight loss, and intolerance to exercise. If you only bring your Maltese to the vet after he starts to show signs of an illness or condition, this can greatly affect prognosis, and for a host of issues will certainly lengthen the time that your Maltese is not feeling well. This creates a confident, stable Maltese. Typically, a reading 2 degrees higher than normal is reason to call the vet. One of the best things you can do for your Maltese is to have her spayed (neutered for males). Maltese are very common and easy to find. Honestly, I recommend keeping a Maltese coat clipped short. Hip Dysplasia is common with some small breed dogs such as the Maltese. Puppies are seen quite often, due to having their scheduled puppy shots. Or you can just hop onto Craigslist and buy a Maltese puppy from someone who "just breeds pets" or "just had one litter." The clear symptoms of diarrhea and blood in the feces are present no matter what the cause. If the problem is mild and involves only one leg, your friend may not require much treatment beyond arthritis medication. If you see someone advertising a "Maltese" as black or brown or any other non-white color, it's a crossbred Maltese, not a purebred Maltese. Too much can happen to these little guys in the blink of an eye. Unfortunately, your Malty is more likely than other dogs to have problems with her teeth. On the Mediterranean island of Malta, the Maltese was developed to be the household pet of wealthy, cultured families. An expert researcher and author of 15 books about dogs, she loves helping people choose, train, and care for their dogs. I would not mix a Maltese with a breed whose heritage is chasing prey animals. Copyright 2000-2022 by Michele Welton. This condition occurs when a dogs colon becomes swollen and inflamed. All text and photographs protected by US and International copyright laws. In many cases, stones can be dissolved by special diet under veterinary supervision, but certain types require surgical removal. The vast majority of Maltese do not excel at housebreaking. With this, there is a genetic weakness in the rings of cartilage surrounding the windpipe that eventually leads to ring(s) collapsing inward. Clean her ears weekly, even as a puppy. Ah, that depends on what you want to teach them! When symptoms are severe, surgery may be needed to realign the kneecap to keep it from luxating further. This is a great time for you to ask any questions that you may have. Lifelong medications and special diets are usually required to keep IBD under control. This guide contains general health information important to all canines as well as the most important genetic predispositions for Maltese. If they're well over 4 pounds, their puppies are more likely to be, as well. There are several types of inherited bleeding disorders that occur in dogs. However excessive discharge, any heavy crusting, or chronic tearing should not be ignored. All Rights Reserved. Obviously, in many cases, veterinary consultation and treatment are necessary, but many Maltese owners feel that this breed responds well to herbal and homeopathic remedies, so these are well worthy of consideration. Get your book today. More than most other breeds, Maltese need a great deal of companionship and do not like being left alone for more than a few hours. As a behavioral consultant, when I'm seeing a "problem" Maltese, almost invariably the dog has been spoiled (over-indulged). But this only works if you establish the right relationship between you and your Maltese, where you are the leader and he is the follower. There is only one Maltese breed. See All of Michele's Best-Selling Dog Books, 11 Things You Must Do Right To Keep Your Dog Healthy and Happy, "11 Things You Must Do Right To Keep Your Dog Healthy and Happy". a toy breed can suffer from a sudden acute injury to the neck, often caused when on on leash and collar. The normal temperature of all dogs 4 weeks and older is between 99.5 to 102.5F. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Stress, diet change, or intestinal parasites can make IBD worse. She is well suited to apartment life as long as she is given daily walks and short play sessions. Maltese are prone to a variety of skin problems, including sebaceous adenitis. Like many toy breeds, Maltese are more prone to injury than to illness or disease. With minor cases, dogs can live up to 10 years without major issues. The good news is that Maltese are very sensitive and responsive to training. BOTH PARENTS of a Maltese puppy should have: If a seller can't show you those certificates, the puppies are higher risk for health problems. If you reward irresponsible breeders by giving them your money, you are encouraging them to keep producing tiny, sickly, short-lived creatures. Fortunately, there is treatment for this and prognosis is good if caught early. Maybe this explains why Maltese love to be held! Give us a call for an appointment if you notice any of these types of signs: Seek medical care immediately if you notice any of these types of signs: Visit our office to get the latest in top-quality veterinary care along with unparalleled service, 2022 Lombard Veterinary Hospital. They can be deceptive about it, too, apparently settling into your arms with contentment, then suddenly launching themselves through the air if you relax your grip. The important thing is to be able to tell when to seek veterinary help and how urgently. It is therefore always important to check the coat after a walk, particularly in late summer and autumn. B, ecause the liver acts as a filter, when blood does not properlyenter the liver to be filtered out, metabolic wastes. If you don't protect his safety, he can be hurt or killed, but if you baby him and don't require him to be well-behaved, he can end up insecure or downright nasty. It most often strikes young pups under the age of one year old. Dental disease starts with tartar build-up on the teeth and progresses to infection of the gums and roots of the teeth. A Maltese typically weighs 2 to 8 pounds and has a beautiful long and silky coat. No part of this website may be copied, displayed on another website, or distributed in any way without permission from the author. For your canine friend, these parasites can cause pain, discomfort, and even death, so its important that we test for them on a regular basis. They tend to have difficulty regulating their blood sugar and can suddenly fall into hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) comas that can be fatal. Take a peek at my best-selling puppy training book, No large, bouncy dogs in the household (safety issue). This is common with small breed dogs, including the Maltese. Bad body odors can be due to improper cleansing during baths and/or using inferior products; however, it can also be caused by such things as skin yeast infections. Much of what you can do to keep your dog happy and healthy is common sense, just like it is for people. Be sure to adhere to the schedule of examinations and vaccinations that we recommend for her. It's very easy to train a Maltese to do tricks and play games. Many of the health issues seen with the Maltese breed are genetic and others are due, in part, to environmental factors. If a tiny one pops up in one of their litters, they do their best to find the best home that can keep it alive, yes, but they try hard not to produce them in the first place. Since breathing difficulties can be dangerous, it is important to have a diagnosis made as soon as possible. Early detection plays a vital role in successful treatment. An owner who will commit to crate training or litterbox training, An owner who won't treat the dog like an infant or doll by carrying him everywhere, laughing at bad behavior and barking, and making excuses for bad behavior instead of correcting it, a certificate from the Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF) dated within the past year certifying the dog to be free of, a certificate from the Orthopedic Foundation of America (OFA) or PennHip certifying the dog to have normal. They all need considerable coat care. Misaligned teeth can also occur and cause lots of problems, but can usually be corrected with braces or extractions. Eye ulcers are also not unusual in small dogs and, at any sign of these, veterinary help should be sought quickly to prevent long-term damage. Theses phrases are made-up marketing fluff, coined by savvy breeders who know that these cutesy phrases attract (gullible) buyers. Fresh water is an essential part of a rabbits daily diet. This is covered in my dog training books. Better to teach him that you are the leader who will take charge of keeping other dogs away from him. The legs and paws also need to be kept combed free of mats and tangles. There are indeed dangers lurking everywhere for toy dogs. However, you will want your adult Maltese to be examined once per year, and your senior Maltese to be seen twice per year. It's not a perfect guideline, but it's usually close. If your friend has PSS, his liver cannot remove toxins from his bloodstream effectively. Nonetheless, barking can easily get out of control. Younger children cannot help being clumsy, and that a child "meant well" is little solace to a Maltese who has been accidentally stepped on, sat on, squeezed, hit with an errant ball, or dropped down the stairs or onto the concrete patio. Many toy breeds tend to pitch a fit when they spy a strange dog, especially a larger dog. With this, the fluid that normally surrounds a dog's brain increases in volume. You can clip the coat short for easy maintenance. There are several health issues that can affect a Maltese's ability to properly breathe, with asthma being a top concern. Glaucoma, an eye condition that affects Maltese and people too, is an extremely painful disease that rapidly leads to blindness if left untreated. Dog training videos. Dont worrywell show you how! Maltese might sometimes be found here, although shelter personnel can be overzealous in labeling every small white longhaired dog as a "Maltese cross." Well perform diagnostic testing for blood clotting to check for these problems before we perform any surgeries. Their bones are fragile. Offensive breath is usually the result of problems with teeth and gums, but it can also be caused by indigestion or be related to the kidneys. And it makes your Maltese look like an adorable puppy throughout his life! Look at the puppy's mother and father. The abnormal blood flow may be left to right, or right to left. There are no weight classes. Signs can include dry skin and coat, hair loss, susceptibility to other skin diseases, weight gain, fearfulness, aggression, and other behavioral changes. Well conduct a blood test annually to screen for this disease. Not much outdoor exercise, but that's because they're so lively indoors and get most of their exercise running around the house. 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? At the end of the article, we have also included a description of what you can do at home to keep your Maltese looking and feeling her best. Typically no treatment is required for a grade 1 to 3 murmur. Maltese may be turned over to Rescue because their elderly owner died, or due to their significant grooming needs or housebreaking problems or barking or "separation anxiety" when left alone. By knowing about health concerns specific to Maltese, we can tailor a preventive health plan to watch for and hopefully prevent some predictable risks. This results in too much blood being carried to the lungs, causing fluid build-up and strain on the heart. are environmental conditions that can trigger this to happen. Temperament and behavior are also shaped by raising and training. These breeders might even price their dogs according to weight, as if that should define a dog's value. Teeth abnormalities are often genetically induced and are relatively common in dogs, especially in purebred dogs like your Maltese. By: Chewy EditorialPublished: June 1, 2011, Home / BeWell / Wellness / Maltese Health Issues. Tartar build-up, bad breath, red gums, or broken teeth, Itchy skin (scratching, chewing, or licking); hair loss, Lethargy, mental dullness, or excessive sleeping, Fearfulness, aggression, or other behavioral changes, Dull coat, hair loss; sluggish, weight gain, Easily startled, no reaction to unseen sounds, Slow or stunted growth; sometimes seizes after eating, Scratching or shaking the head, tender ears, or ear discharge, Inability or straining to urinate; discolored urine, Cloudiness, redness, itching, or any other abnormality involving the eyes, Fatigue during exercise, coughing, or shortness of breath, Coughing, especially at night or upon rising after sleeping, rapid breathing at rest, Gums that are a color other than bright pink, Bruises easily or bleeds a lot even from small wounds, On-going vomiting, weight loss, and/or diarrhea.
Jenkins Docker-compose Environment Variables, Docker Login Not Working Ubuntu,
problems with maltese dogs