Maltese Medical Conditions
by Jennie Bullock

        A well.bred Maltese is a healthy, vital, energetic dog. It is strongly suggested that people considering purchasing this breed of dog, do so from a reputable breeder.

Hypoglycemia
        Hypoglycemia is commonly referred to as low blood-sugar. Dogs that go into hypoglycemia suffer from weakness, they can collapse, and/or go into seizures.

For further information please see : Medical Index/Hypoglycemia.
Epilepsy

        Epilepsy is often a hereditary seizure disorder.  Dogs with epilepsy should not be breed and a responsible breeder will remove dog's producing epileptic pups from their breeding program.
For more information please see: Medical/Epilepsy.

Patellar Luxation

      The patella (kneecap) is a small bone which guards the knee joint.  The patella sits in a grove in the femur, and is held in place by a combination of ligaments and muscles.  This bone can slip out of position due to injury, poor alignment, weak ligaments, or insufficient grove in the femur.  Generally the dog will limp, carry the leg off the ground, or hop when running.  If the problem is severe it can necessitate surgery.

        Patellar luxation can be either hereditary or due to injury.
For further information please see: Medical Index/Patellar Luxation.

Portosystemic Shunts
       This is a congenital liver condition which enables blood flow (partial or full) to bypass the liver during its flow through the circulatory system.  Without the detoxification process of the liver this condition can be fatal.  Most often, surgical correction is required to remedy the situation.
For further information please see: Medical Index/Portosystemic Shunts.

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