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Hereditary Dog Liver Disease Is Present In
Maltese Dogs
Before you purchase your Maltese dog, you need to ask
the breeder if there are any genetic problems concerning liver
disease. Maltese dogs often have a liver disease called shunts that
can kill them as puppies. This live disease is often passed on
through genetics and is found in purebred varieties of small dogs
more often than any other.
Obtain a Puppy from a Good Bloodline to Prevent Genetic
Abnormalities
Obtaining a puppy from a good bloodline is important because shunts
will kill your dog and can only be fixed through surgical
procedures. When a dog has inherited the genes for liver disease, it
will often show up during the puppy stage. Usually liver disease
doesn't show up until after a dog has been alive long enough for the
liver to break down enough toxins to cause damage to the liver.
You need to watch for symptoms of this liver disease on a regular
basis because catching it early can mean the difference between life
and death for your new puppy. Your puppy may become thin from poor
appetite and may exhibit more signs of liver disease after they have
eaten a meal. Your dog can become lethargic and depressed while
dealing with liver disease. There are many common symptoms like
vomiting and no body growth to beware of as well.
Purebreds of Smaller Breeds Are More Prone To Shunts
Hereditary dog liver disease is a major concern in small breeds of
dogs and sometimes doesn't show up at all with tests. The liver is a
major gland and can work a long time even in advanced stages of
liver disease and it can be too late to do anything about it by the
time you have it diagnosed. The good news to this is that the liver
is also the only organ in the body that can fully regenerate itself.
Which means with proper diagnoses and treatment, your pet can live a
longer, more fulfilling life.
If you are going to get a small breed dog anytime in the near
future, make sure you have a breeder with a good reputation. It's
bad enough your dog may acquire liver disease through the course of
his life and even worst if he is born with it.
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