The Maltese is prone to some eye diseases.
What the Maltese lacks in size, it makes up for in strong health. These little dogs are one of the healthiest breeds around. They can live upwards of 15 years and are relatively easy to take care of because of their excellent health---but there are a few diseases and health problems to which the Maltese is prone. As long as you have your eye on the health of your Maltese, you should be able to recognize the symptoms of the most common diseases.
Retinal Atrophy
Retinal atrophy is a genetic eye disease that causes simultaneous blindness in both eyes. Unfortunately, this genetic disease does not have a cure, so early recognition can prolong your dog's eyesight with the antioxidant supplements given to you by a veterinarian. The first sign of retinal atrophy is dilated pupils (i.e., the pupils appear large). This is happening to your dog's eye because it needs to let in more light in order to see properly. Another physical symptom that appears around the same time as dilated pupils are glossy eyes (eyes that appear glazed over or shiny). Even though these are two of the first physical manifestations of the disease, they usually mean your Maltese has already lost all night vision.
Aberrant Cilia
Aberrant cilia is a non-deadly disease that causes more discomfort and annoyance that anything else. This disease causes your Maltese's eyelashes to grow in all directions. Not only is this disease aesthetically displeasing, but the out-of-control lashes also often get into the dog's eye, causing some discomfort. In fact, this disease is sometimes caused by too many eyelashes growing at one time. This in turn will cause a significant amount of eyelash shedding, which can result in eyelashes ending up in your dog's eye.
Liver Shunt
Liver shunt is a disease that small dogs such as the Maltese are susceptible to. This condition is caused by a blockage in one of the veins in the liver or one of the main blood passages to the liver. This causes the liver to run inefficiently, which thereby causes a large amount of toxins to build up in the dog's body. The small body of the Maltese can build up toxins rather quickly, so early detection is vital. Common signs include frequent urination, vomiting, vision loss, weight loss and depression. Fortunately, the condition can be cured with surgery.
White Dog Shaker Syndrome
White dog shaker syndrome is a disease that is almost entirely isolated to the Maltese. This odd condition causes the dog's body to tremble and the eyes to move rapidly. The tremors will also be more severe when the dog tries to engage in strenuous activities. The disease is non-lethal and does not cause any pain, but it can greatly reduce the dog's quality of life. In fact, the tremors can be so severe that your Maltese will not be able to walk at all. White dog shaker syndrome is easily treated with medicine.
Tags: health, problems, common, maltese, dogs, disease that, your Maltese, dilated pupils, disease that causes, genetic disease
