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Maltese - Specific Wellness Program |
Oral Health Problems
Retained Deciduous (baby or primary) Teeth
About the condition:
- One or more deciduous teeth fail to exfoliate (fall out) before permanent teeth erupt.
- Debris and plaque accumulate between the deciduous and permanent teeth.
- Deciduous teeth can inhibit proper eruption of permanent teeth.
How to detect this condition:
- An oral examination at 6 months of age reveals the presence of "extra" teeth.
Periodontal Disease
About the condition:
- Inflammation and/or infection of the gums and bone around the tooth.
- Bacteria accumulate in the mouth forming plaque and harden into tartar, which becomes a constant source for infection.
- Progressive stages can lead to tooth loss.
How to detect this condition:
- Halitosis or bad breath
- Yellowish/brown deposits on teeth
- Red or swollen gums
- Discomfort when mouth or gums are touched
- Decreased appetite with difficulty chewing
Cardiovascular Conditions
Endocardiosis (Chronic Valvular Disease)
About the condition:
- This condition is the most common cause of heart disease in a dog. The heart valves become deformed leading to abnormal heart function and heart failure.
How to detect this condition:
- Frequent physical examinations allow the doctor to listen for a heart murmur, which may indicate this condition.
- If a heart murmur is detected an ultrasound may be recommended.
- An ECG may also help detect heart problems.
Eye Conditions
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
About the condition:
- This disease causes an abnormal accumulation of pigment within the retina resulting in progressive retinal degeneration and visual deficiencies.
How to detect this condition:
- Frequent eye exams can help detect this condition.
Gastrointestinal Conditions
Congenital Portosystemic Shunt
About the condition:
- A serious abnormality of the blood vessels around the liver (portal system) that causes some or all of the blood from the intestines to bypass the liver and go directly into the bloodstream. This increases the level of ammonia in the blood after eating, which can impair brain function, leading to seizure or even death.
- It is more commonly seen in males.
How to detect this condition:
- If chronic weight loss, vomiting, or anorexia are noticed, bloodwork and an ultrasound may be recommended.
Pyloric Stenosis
About the condition:
- A disorder in which the opening from the stomach to the intestine is thickened causing obstruction.
- Signs are usually seen before age 1.
How to detect this condition:
- Chronic vomiting is one of the signs of pyloric stenosis.
- If this occurs, x-rays and/or an endoscopy may be recommended.
Neurological Conditions
Hypoglycemia
About the condition:
- Hypoglycemia is low blood sugar and is almost always caused by an endocrine problem. It is usually seen in dogs less than 1 year of age.
How to detect this condition:
- Weakness and seizures are one of the first indicators of hypoglycemia. If your pet has a seizure, they should be seen as soon as possible to determine the cause of the seizure.
- Bloodwork (including a blood glucose test) is used to diagnose this condition.
This list is not intended to cover all possible diseases and/or conditions found in Malteses, but instead lists those that we have found to be most common at Hillside Animal Hospital. Please let us know if you have further questions regarding these or any other conditions.
Wellness Recommendations
We recommend six month wellness exams for the life of your pet since they age so much faster than humans do. Frequent visits allow us to discuss recent changes, detect potential problems, tailor diagnostic recommendations, and initiate therapy that will benefit your pet long term.
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Your Pet’s Age in Years
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Maltese
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Numbers within the chart are your pet's age in human years
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Juvenile
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Adult
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Senior
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A series of wellness consultations and vaccines are required as a puppy develops. Problems can be addressed early based on a breed's disposition. Early findings may dictate the path of future wellness.
The primary wellness consultation is scheduled for routine vaccines, the first line of prevention. The second wellness consultation is meant for vaccine boosters and basic wellness blood work. Wellness blood work is essential in early detection and treatment of medical conditions. Each consultation allows us to spend time with you to discuss any changes that may have occurred as your pet ages and make recommendations accordingly. Factors such as size, sex, age, lifestyle, and breed will dictate a patient's recommendations. Radiographs may be recommended for some patients as baseline evaluations for future comparisons.
Adult wellness blood work includes a basic chemistry (8), a complete blood count, and a heartworm test. We recommend evaluating wellness blood work annually for the lifetime of the pet.
With senior patients, each wellness consultation is for routine vaccines and boosters, along with a physical examination. Changes for seniors can be subtle, so maintaining a healthy senior pet requires an owner's observations along with twice a year physical examinations to evaluate these changes. The doctors recommend annual comprehensive wellness blood work and urinalysis for all of our seniors. Doctors rely on blood and urine tests to provide important information about a pet's health to determine appropriate therapy. Radiographs may also be recommended as these changes occur to again ensure appropriate therapy.
Senior wellness blood work includes a comprehensive chemistry (25), a complete blood count, thyroid hormone level, urinalysis, and a heartworm test. Depending on medications, some prescriptions require frequent blood monitoring in addition to routine wellness.
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FAX: 480-551-1738
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