Do Maltese dogs get cold easily?
Maltese definitely are housedogs and don’t tolerate extreme heat or cold well. Many people paper train their Maltese so they don’t have to take them outdoors when the weather is too hot or cold.
What is the life expectancy of a female Maltese dog?
She typically weighs 2 to 8 pounds and has a beautiful long and silky coat. Although small, they do require regular exercise and tend to be quite playful even when indoors. The Maltese is a generally healthy breed with an average lifespan of 14-15 years.
What kind of health problems does a Maltese have?
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.
What happens when your Maltese ( dog ) gets old?
Watch out for discharge from the eyes, or any signs that sight is impaired, such as bumping into furniture, or when feeding him something from your hand he has a hard time seeing what you have for him. Disease of the gums can not only lead to loss of teeth, but may also cause a more serious condition if the bacteria enters the bloodstream.
What to watch for in an elderly Maltese?
There are also a number of specific health problems which you should watch for with your elderly Maltese such as arthritis, which may develop in his joints. Be careful about the amounts of exercise he gets – too much could easily make arthritis worse.
Why does my Maltese have a hearing problem?
Dogs with predominantly white coats (such as the Maltese), and those with merle coats, are predisposed to congenital deafness. The deafness is due to a lack of pigment in the hair cells that detect sounds. Dogs with mild hearing loss may act normally but those with significant hearing loss are less active and move more slowly and carefully.
What kind of eye problems does a Maltese have?
Your Maltese can also develop a condition called aberrant cilia —abnormal eyelash growth. Eye ulcers are also a common problem that these dogs are known to face. Most eye problems are mild, severe cases will require treatment. Related: Do Maltese Bark a Lot?
What to do if your Maltese has health problems?
Keep your Maltese’s teeth clean by daily brushing and regular dental check-ups. Also avoid snacks rich in starch and sugar. Hypoglycemia, which is a state of abnormally low blood sugar, is one of the most common Maltese health problems. This can cause problems to the nervous system, resulting in seizures and even coma.
What’s the average life span of a Maltese?
The Maltese is generally healthy and hardy, and has a lifespan of 12 years or more. But Malteses are susceptible to several health problems that are common to small breed dogs. If you are thinking of getting a Maltese, you need to know about the common health problems that may affect this dog breed.
How can I tell if my Maltese has a liver shunt?
Signs that your Maltese is suffering from Liver Shunt would include stunted growth, seizures, vomiting, excessive thirst, and urination. Medical procedures such as physical examination and further diagnostic tests would help determine if a dog has liver shunt.