Maltese Age Calculator

Portosystemic liver shunt is a congenital vascular abnormality where blood bypasses the liver, preventing normal detoxification and protein metabolism. The condition is more common in Maltese than in most breeds. Affected dogs have blood that flows around rather than through the liver, allowing toxins (particularly ammonia from protein digestion) to accumulate in the bloodstream and affect the brain and other organs. Symptoms typically appear in the first two years of life and range from subtle (poor growth, unusual behavior after eating) to severe (seizures, hepatic encephalopathy).

Prevention: PSS is a congenital condition that cannot be prevented through management, only through responsible breeding practices. Breeders should screen breeding stock with bile acid testing. Prospective owners should request bile acid test results from the breeder for both parents. If PSS is suspected in a puppy, early diagnosis through bile acid testing and imaging improves surgical outcomes dramatically. Surgical correction of the shunt is curative in many cases.

Symptoms: stunted growth or failure to thrive, disorientation or unusual behavior after eating protein-rich meals, excessive drooling and head pressing, seizures, particularly after meals, excessive urination and water consumption, bladder stones (ammonium urate crystals)

Luxating patella (dislocating kneecap) is very common in Maltese and other toy breeds. The condition occurs when the kneecap slides out of its normal position in the groove of the thigh bone, causing intermittent or permanent lameness. It is graded from I (mild, manually reducible) to IV (severe, permanently luxated). In Maltese, the medial (inward) luxation is most common. Many dogs with grade I-II luxation function well with conservative management, while grade III-IV typically requires surgical correction to prevent arthritis and chronic pain.

Prevention: Luxating patella has a strong genetic component and cannot be fully prevented through management. Select breeders who screen and certify patellar health. Maintain lean body weight to reduce stress on knee joints — even one extra pound matters at this size. Avoid allowing puppies to jump from heights that stress developing joints. Provide ramps to furniture to reduce jumping impact. Joint supplements from adulthood may support cartilage health.

Symptoms: intermittent skipping or hopping on one hind leg, sudden holding up of hind leg during walking, momentary lameness that resolves when kneecap returns to position, reluctance to jump on or off furniture, progressive stiffness in hind legs

Dental disease is the single most prevalent health concern in Maltese, affecting virtually all members of the breed to some degree by middle age. Their tiny jaws create overcrowding of teeth, which traps food debris and accelerates plaque and tartar formation. Left untreated, periodontal disease leads to painful infections, tooth loss, and bacteria entering the bloodstream that can damage the heart, liver, and kidneys. In Maltese, dental disease is not merely a cosmetic concern — it is a life-shortening condition that requires aggressive, proactive prevention and treatment.

Prevention: Daily tooth brushing with veterinary-approved toothpaste is the single most effective prevention. Begin brushing in puppyhood to establish the habit. Professional dental cleanings under anesthesia should begin by age 2 and be repeated annually or more frequently as needed. Dental diets, water additives, and dental chews supplement but never replace brushing. Retained baby teeth must be extracted promptly to prevent overcrowding. Early and aggressive dental care can add years to a Maltese's life.

Symptoms: bad breath (halitosis) that worsens over time, red, swollen, or bleeding gums, yellow-brown tartar buildup on teeth, difficulty eating or dropping food, loose or missing teeth, facial swelling or nasal discharge from tooth root abscess

Collapsing trachea is a progressive respiratory condition common in toy breeds including the Maltese. The cartilage rings that hold the trachea (windpipe) open weaken over time, causing the trachea to flatten during breathing, particularly during excitement, exercise, or when pressure is applied to the neck. The condition causes a distinctive honking cough and can range from mild and manageable to severe and life-threatening. While it can appear at any age, symptoms typically worsen over time, particularly in overweight dogs.

Prevention: Use a harness instead of a collar from puppyhood to avoid pressure on the trachea — this is the single most important preventive measure for Maltese. Maintain ideal body weight, as excess weight worsens tracheal collapse. Avoid exposure to respiratory irritants including smoke, strong perfumes, and household chemicals. Keep the dog calm during episodes, as anxiety worsens symptoms. In severe cases, surgical stenting or medical management with cough suppressants and anti-inflammatories may be necessary.

Symptoms: distinctive honking or goose-honk cough, cough worsening with excitement, exercise, or heat, gagging or retching after drinking water, exercise intolerance and labored breathing, coughing when picked up or when collar pressure applied, bluish discoloration of gums during severe episodes

Progressive Retinal Atrophy is an inherited eye disease in which the photoreceptor cells of the retina gradually degenerate, ultimately leading to blindness. In Maltese, PRA typically manifests first as difficulty seeing in dim light conditions, with progressive deterioration over months to years. Because the Maltese is primarily an indoor companion dog, early vision changes may go unnoticed until the condition is moderately advanced. DNA testing is available for the breed-specific mutation, and responsible breeders screen all breeding stock to prevent producing affected puppies.

Prevention: PRA is genetically inherited and cannot be prevented through lifestyle management. DNA testing of breeding pairs is the only effective prevention strategy. Annual CAER eye examinations help detect early retinal changes. Maltese who develop PRA adapt well to vision loss in familiar indoor environments due to their small size and reliance on scent and hearing. Maintaining consistent furniture placement and using verbal cues helps blind Maltese navigate confidently.

Symptoms: reluctance to navigate in dim lighting, bumping into furniture or objects in unfamiliar settings, dilated pupils in normal light, increased eye reflectivity or shine, progressive vision loss culminating in blindness