Ranking in the top 40 of the American Kennel Club’s most popular breeds, the Maltese makes a great companion for many reasons. Weighing in at under 15 pounds, the Maltese is an ideal choice for apartment dwellers and families alike.
They are playful pups with delightful personalities and do well in a variety of environments. While these are great reasons to add a Maltese to your family, you may be wondering about common health concerns with this breed of pup. We’ve broken down some of the most common health issues – and how to help make sure your pup is as healthy as they can be.
The good news is that Maltese tend to be healthy and live for about 12-15 years on average. The national breed club, The American Maltese Association, does recommend that all Maltese receive a cardiac exam as well as have their patella’s checked by a vet.
Common Maltese health conditions
Heart Murmurs (typically in older Maltese)
As Maltese age, they are prone to heart murmurs. These are usually diagnosed by your vet when you go for an annual wellness exam. This is another reason why annual exams are so important as your pup ages! Murmurs are given a ‘grade’ based on severity. Grade 1 which is barely audible may have no symptoms and require no treatment. Your vet will monitor your dog and recommend treatment when it becomes appropriate to do so. The American Maltese Association says…
