Liver Disease In Maltese Dogs Can Appear As Puppies

Most dogs won't show signs of liver disease until they are older in age and have been exposed to a lifetime of situations. The Maltese dog can have liver disease if it is genetically passed down to them. You have to watch for signs of liver disease immediately upon taking on the care of the Maltese dog.

There is a lot of variation in the clinical signs as to the severity of the condition and depends on how much blood flow is being diverted past the liver. Liver disease in Maltese dogs will show signs of shunts in a puppy or young adult Maltese.

After you have had your Maltese puppy home, you may notice that he is not growing at a significant rate if he has shunts. You'll also recognize your puppy has very poor weight gain and is acting depressed, listless and sad. Your puppy may also act as though they are feeling weak and may exhibit signs of seizures. Your puppy may also be doing a lot of drooling and vomiting. The poor appetite and balance problems will add to the symptoms and they can possess bladder stones and even blindness.

These problems will increase dramatically after they have eaten and will support an indication of a shunt being present. Not all Maltese with a shunt will show this association with eating, but at least a quarter of these puppies will show an association.

Lab work Will Diagnose Shunts in Your Maltese

Routine lab work can be nonspecific in diagnosing shunts, but if protein is elevated, or sugar levels are decreased your Maltese can be affected. Acid levels may be higher and is an important way to diagnose possible shunts. Your Maltese will have to fast for two hours after eating meal samples and if there is a significant rise in bile acid, they may have this liver disease.

There are several other tests associated with diagnosing shunts. Take your Maltese to the vet to see if shunts are present if any of the symptoms arise. Your Maltese may have shunts because of genetic disposition and will require medical attention that often requires surgery.

Liver disease in Maltese dogs is quite common because they are a smaller breed and often are genetically passed on the genes for liver disease. Keeping a close eye on the situation can mean the difference between life and death for your Maltese puppy.