Malteses - Choosing a Maltese

Malteses - Choosing a Maltese

By: Dr. Dawn Ruben

Common Diseases and Disorders

  • Patellar luxation is a disorder affecting the kneecap.

  • Hypoglycemia is a disorder of low blood sugar characterized by fainting spells and seizures.

  • Portosystemic shunt is a malformation of the blood flow associated with the liver. The blood is shunted away from the liver, resulting in accumulation of blood toxins and subsequent profound illness.

  • Cryptorchidism is a condition in which one or both testicles do not descend into the scrotum.

  • White shaker disease is a tremor condition seen in small white dogs.

  • Patent ductus arteriosis (PDA) is a congenital birth defect caused by a blood vessel that normally closes after birth, but remains open resulting in the passage of extra volumes of blood into the lungs.


  • Chronic valvular heart disease (VHD) is a condition characterized by degeneration and thickening of the heart valves.

  • Malassezia dermatitis - is a yeast infection of the skin caused by Malassezia pachydermatitis.

  • Pyloric stenosis - is a congenital hypertrophy of the pyloric muscle which can cause vomiting and obstruction.

  • Hydrocephalus is a neurological disease in which there is excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid within the ventricular system of the brain.

  • Distichiasis is a condition in which there is growth of extra eyelashes from the glands of the upper or lower eyelid.

  • Glaucoma is a disease of the eye that develops when the pressure within the eye increases which can lead to blindness.

  • Progressive retinal atrophy is a disease that causes nerve cells at the back of the eye to degenerate. The condition usually begins in older pets and can lead to blindness.


    In addition, Maltese are prone to blindness, deafness, tear staining and blocked tear ducts.

    Life Span

    The life span of the Maltese is 14 to 16 years.


    We realize that each dog is unique and may display other characteristics. This profile provides generally accepted breed information only.

     
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