Is there anything I can do for my Maltese?
If you see these behaviors in your Maltese, tell your veterinarian. Unfortunately, there is no cure for CDS, but there is increasing hope. There is a prescription drug available to treat dogs with CDS in the US (two are available in Europe). It works by increasing the amount of dopamine in the dog’s brain.
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.
When does your Maltese ( dog ) get old?
Fortunately for Maltese owners, the Maltese being a smaller breed tend to have longer lives than the larger breed of dog. In general elderly means over eight years old for dogs. When your Maltese gets older, their organs may become less efficient, and they may be less able to resist infections and other diseases.
Why is my Maltese dog incontinent all the time?
This is sometimes due to problems with the nervous system affecting bladder control, or may be due to a urinary infection. If your Maltese suddenly becomes incontinent, consult your veterinarian.
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.
If you see these behaviors in your Maltese, tell your veterinarian. Unfortunately, there is no cure for CDS, but there is increasing hope. There is a prescription drug available to treat dogs with CDS in the US (two are available in Europe). It works by increasing the amount of dopamine in the dog’s brain.
This is sometimes due to problems with the nervous system affecting bladder control, or may be due to a urinary infection. If your Maltese suddenly becomes incontinent, consult your veterinarian.
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.
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 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.
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 heart problems does a Maltese have?
This is a congenital heart defect in which the connection between the aorta and pulmonary arteries is not closed at birth as it normally should. This results in a heart murmur that can be felt through the body wall. Patent ductus arteriosus affects many dog breeds including the Maltese. The treatment of choice is by surgery.
What kind of eye injury does a Maltese have?
Malteses have big bulging eyes, so it is easy for them to sustain injuries to their eyes. Corneal abrasions and ulcers are injuries to the cornea caused by trauma, such as scratches. Ulcers are deeper wounds that involve the middle and sometimes even the inner layer of the cornea.
How to tell if your dog has pulled a muscle?
The leg, hip or stifle may appear swollen, tender and inflamed. If your dog has pulled a neck or back muscle, you’ll see stiffness, instability while walking, changes in posture, and pain when touched or moved. Close-up of a Labrador retriever dog wearing a leg bandage. Strained Vs. Sprained Muscles
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.
The leg, hip or stifle may appear swollen, tender and inflamed. If your dog has pulled a neck or back muscle, you’ll see stiffness, instability while walking, changes in posture, and pain when touched or moved. Close-up of a Labrador retriever dog wearing a leg bandage. Strained Vs. Sprained Muscles
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’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.