At a glance
- Dental disease affects 80% of dogs by age 2, with Maltese particularly vulnerable due to their small mouths and crowded teeth
- Breathing issues like collapsed trachea and asthma are common, but using a harness instead of a collar can significantly reduce tracheal stress
- Joint problems, especially luxating patella, affect many small breeds and benefit from early weight management and joint supplements
- Regular veterinary checkups can catch serious conditions like liver shunts and heart valve disease before they become life-threatening
Why small size creates big health challenges
You might notice your Maltese experiencing health issues that seem disproportionate to their tiny frame. Their petite size, while endearing, creates unique physiological challenges that larger breeds simply don't face. Research shows that many health problems in these dogs stem directly from their compact anatomy and genetic predispositions.
The most significant factor is how their small mouths crowd teeth together, creating perfect conditions for dental disease. Their delicate tracheal rings are more prone to collapse under pressure. Even their liver function can be compromised by congenital blood vessel abnormalities that affect toxin processing.
Understanding these breed-specific vulnerabilities helps you recognise early warning signs and take preventive action. Many Maltese owners worry when they first notice symptoms, but most conditions respond well to early intervention and proper management.
Dental disease: the silent epidemic
Have you wondered why your dog's breath seems particularly strong, even with regular feeding? Dental disease represents the most common chronic problem affecting these small dogs, with symptoms often appearing much earlier than owners expect.
The cramped quarters of a Maltese mouth mean teeth sit closer together, trapping food particles and bacteria more easily than in larger breeds. You'll typically notice bad breath first, followed by visible tartar buildup along the gum line. Left untreated, this progresses to gum inflammation, tooth loss, and potentially serious infections that can affect the heart and other organs.
Daily brushing with dog-specific toothpaste makes the biggest difference. Virbac C.E.T. enzymatic chews provide additional cleaning action between brushings. Professional cleanings every 6-12 months help remove tartar that home care can't reach. Hill's Prescription Diet t/d offers specially formulated kibble that scrapes teeth clean as your dog chews.
Watch for difficulty eating, pawing at the face, or reluctance to chew hard treats. These signs warrant a veterinary dental examination, even if the teeth look relatively clean to your eye.
Breathing complications and tracheal concerns
Many owners report their dogs making unusual coughing or honking sounds, particularly during excitement or exercise. These symptoms often indicate collapsed trachea, a condition where the cartilage rings supporting the windpipe weaken and flatten.
The distinctive dry, harsh cough typically worsens with pulling on a collar or during periods of excitement. Some dogs develop breathing difficulties that sound alarming but may be manageable with proper care. Switching to a harness immediately reduces neck pressure and often provides noticeable improvement within days.
Breathing issues in these dogs can also include asthma, which causes wheezing and chronic coughing. Unlike collapsed trachea, asthma responds well to veterinary treatment with corticosteroids and bronchodilators. The prognosis for asthma in this breed is generally good with appropriate medical management.
Reverse sneezing episodes, while dramatic, usually resolve on their own. These rapid, noisy inhalations resemble snorting and often occur when dogs encounter allergens or become excited. Calming your dog and avoiding known triggers helps reduce frequency.
Joint problems and mobility issues
You might notice your dog occasionally skipping steps or holding up a back leg while walking. Luxating patella, where the kneecap slips out of its normal position, affects many small breeds and can range from mild to severely debilitating.
Mild cases often benefit from weight management and joint supplements containing glucosamine and chondroitin. Nutramax Dasuquin formulations designed for small breeds provide appropriate dosing. Severe cases may require surgical correction, but many dogs live comfortably with conservative management.
The key lies in maintaining optimal body weight throughout your dog's life. Extra pounds place disproportionate stress on tiny joints. Regular, moderate exercise helps maintain muscle tone that supports joint stability, but avoid high-impact activities like jumping from furniture.
Persistent limping, obvious pain, or inability to bear weight on a leg requires veterinary evaluation. Early intervention often prevents progression to more serious joint damage.
Digestive and internal organ concerns
When it comes to digestive health in these dogs, context matters significantly. Colitis, causing diarrhea sometimes mixed with blood, can result from stress, parasites, or dietary indiscretion. Increasing dietary fibre and adding probiotics often helps, but persistent symptoms need veterinary attention.
More serious internal concerns include liver shunts, congenital abnormalities where blood bypasses the liver's detoxification process. You'll typically notice poor growth, vomiting, or neurological signs like seizures in affected dogs. This condition requires immediate veterinary care and often surgical correction.
Bladder stones develop when mineral crystals accumulate in the urinary tract. Signs include straining to urinate, blood in urine, or frequent urination attempts. Hill's Prescription Diet c/d or s/d can help dissolve certain stone types, while severe cases may need surgical removal.
High-quality diets with adequate fibre help prevent many digestive issues. Encouraging water intake through multiple bowls or water fountains reduces bladder stone risk.
Neurological and heart conditions
Sometimes these dogs develop tremors or shaking episodes that can be quite distressing to witness. White dog shaker syndrome causes whole-body tremors, particularly during excitement, but responds well to corticosteroid treatment. The condition isn't painful, though it can be alarming for both dogs and owners.
Heart valve disease, specifically mitral valve disease, becomes more common as dogs age. You might notice coughing, particularly at night, lethargy, or difficulty breathing. Early diagnosis through regular veterinary examinations allows for medication that can significantly extend quality of life.
Good dental care plays an important role in heart health, as bacteria from dental disease can affect heart valves. Weight control also reduces cardiac stress. Medications like pimobendan help manage heart failure when it develops.
Watch for sudden onset of neurological symptoms, persistent coughing, or exercise intolerance. These signs warrant immediate veterinary evaluation, as early treatment often provides better outcomes.
Prevention strategies and long-term care
Regular veterinary checkups, ideally every six months for older dogs, catch problems before they become serious. Your veterinarian can detect heart murmurs, dental disease, and other conditions during routine examinations.
Environmental control helps manage several conditions simultaneously. Reducing exposure to allergens and irritants decreases asthma episodes and reverse sneezing. Using air purifiers and avoiding strong cleaning products or perfumes around your dog makes a noticeable difference.
Investment in preventive care pays dividends in your dog's health and your veterinary bills. Professional dental cleanings cost $300-700 but prevent expensive dental extractions and systemic infections. Joint supplements at $20-60 monthly may prevent costly surgical interventions later.
Keep emergency veterinary contact information readily available. Conditions like breathing difficulties, seizures, or inability to urinate require immediate attention. Understanding your dog's normal behaviour patterns helps you recognise when something isn't right.
With attentive care and regular veterinary partnerships, most health challenges in this breed can be managed effectively. Early recognition and intervention remain your most powerful tools for ensuring your dog's long, comfortable life.
