Maltese are affectionate, owner‑attached toy dogs that are often alert and vocal; many bark at unfamiliar people/noises and may tremble or pant when stressed. They are small and can be intolerant of cold, so shivering in an air‑conditioned lobby may reflect chill or anxiety rather than pain. Many are cautious with strangers; slow, quiet approaches and keeping the owner nearby can reduce vocalizing. Because hair near the eyes needs frequent attention at home, some dogs may resist face/eye touching, and owners may report rubbing at the face.
Front desk script: Maltese can be sensitive to noise, strangers, and cooler rooms. If [Pet Name] seems shaky or barking, we can move you to a quieter area and you’re welcome to keep them close during check‑in. Are they comfortable with face/eye touching, or should we note to approach slowly there? If you notice rapid or labored breathing, collapse, or blue/pale gums, please tell me immediately—this would be an emergency.
Maltese (toy breed) have several known predispositions: early dental crowding/retained baby teeth with rapid periodontal disease; knee issues such as medial patellar luxation (intermittent hind‑limb skipping/lameness); airway narrowing/tracheal collapse causing a chronic “honking” cough; congenital liver blood‑flow anomalies (portosystemic shunts/microvascular dysplasia) that can present as poor growth, GI upset, or disorientation after meals; congenital heart disease—notably patent ductus arteriosus—and small‑breed valvular disease with age; and a steroid‑responsive tremor syndrome seen in small white dogs. Escalate immediately if there is labored or noisy breathing, blue/gray gums, collapse/fainting, seizures, persistent severe tremors, or a rapidly worsening cough—these are emergency signs.
Front desk script: Maltese are wonderful companions but, as a toy breed, they’re more likely to have early dental disease, ‘loose’ kneecaps, a honking cough from tracheal collapse, certain congenital liver or heart conditions, and a tremor condition seen in small white dogs. If you’re noticing skipping on a back leg, chronic cough, poor growth/GI upset in a young dog, or new exercise intolerance, let’s book a prompt exam. If you report breathing trouble, blue gums, fainting, seizures, or continuous tremors, please proceed to the nearest emergency hospital now.
Tiny, people‑oriented toy dogs (about 4–7 lb) with a long white, low‑shedding coat; expect daily brushing and regular grooming. Moderate walks and indoor play suit them, and they may bark. Common Maltese concerns include dental disease, slipping kneecaps, airway issues like tracheal collapse (often a honking cough), tear staining, and low blood sugar in very small pups; typical lifespan is roughly 12–14 years. Seek immediate care if you notice rapid or labored breathing, a honking cough with distress, blue or pale gums, fainting/collapse, or sudden whole‑body tremors.
Front desk script: Maltese are tiny, low‑shedding companions that need frequent brushing and routine grooming. We commonly monitor this breed for dental issues, kneecap problems, and airway cough in adults, and low blood sugar in very small puppies. If you ever see breathing trouble, blue gums, collapse, or severe shaking, that’s an emergency—come in now or go to the nearest ER. Would you like me to book a wellness exam or dental check?
Maltese frequently prompt front-desk contacts for: persistent eye discharge/tear staining on the white face; bouts of coughing or “honking” and noisy breathing with excitement or collar pressure; brief hind‑leg “skipping” or sudden short‑term limping; strong mouth odor or visible tartar; picky appetite or mild tummy upset; anal‑area scooting/licking; and, in very small puppies, sudden fatigue or wobbliness. Screen for red/painful eyes, repeated vomiting/diarrhea, worsening cough or breathing effort, or inability to keep water down (same‑day care). If the caller reports open‑mouth breathing, blue/pale gums, collapse, or choking‑like distress, instruct them to proceed to the nearest emergency hospital immediately.
Front desk script: Thanks for calling—Maltese commonly come in for tear staining, coughing/honking, brief hind‑leg skipping, dental odor/tartar, or anal‑gland scooting. Before we book, is your dog having trouble breathing, blue or pale gums, has collapsed, or is the eye very red/painful or held shut? If yes, this is an emergency—please go to the nearest ER now and we can alert them. If no but there’s eye discomfort, repeated vomiting/diarrhea, or worsening cough, we recommend a same‑day appointment; otherwise we can schedule the next available visit and ask you to bring a short video/photo.
Maltese have a long, flat, silky white coat that mats quickly; owners should expect daily brushing/combing, with many opting for a shorter “puppy cut” to reduce upkeep. Plan professional grooming about every 6–8 weeks, and routine face cleaning is often needed to manage tear staining; hair near the eyes should be kept out of the eyes. Shedding is below average. The breed can be prone to skin issues such as allergies—set expectations for periodic skin/coat checks and offer groomer or dermatology referrals for recurrent problems. Escalate immediately if there is sudden facial swelling or hives, rapidly worsening swelling, open/oozing skin, or any trouble breathing.
Front desk script: This breed’s silky coat mats fast—most families book professional grooming every 6–8 weeks and keep up with brushing between visits. Would you like a groomer referral, and do you prefer a short ‘puppy cut’ or a longer look? If you notice sudden facial swelling, hives, open or oozing skin, strong ear odor with head shaking, or breathing trouble, please tell us now—those can’t wait and we’ll arrange a same‑day exam or direct you to emergency care.
Maltese (toy breed) are commonly flagged at intake for: airway signs suggestive of tracheal collapse (honking cough, exercise/excitement–triggered cough), juvenile hypoglycemia risk in puppies, small‑dog dental issues (retained baby teeth, heavy tartar/bad breath), patellar luxation, tear staining, and a noted breed predisposition to congenital hepatic vascular anomalies (MVD/portosystemic shunt). Triage quickly for age, appetite/energy, cough character, breathing effort/color, tremors, and growth concerns. Route breathing difficulty or a honking cough for same‑day evaluation (escalate to emergency immediately if blue/pale gums, open‑mouth breathing, collapse, or severe distress). For toy‑breed puppies with lethargy, incoordination, tremors, or seizures, treat as same‑day/urgent; otherwise schedule routine wellness/dental or lameness exams and note that young Maltese with poor growth or neuro/GI episodes may need timely doctor review for hepatic screening.
Front desk script: Because Maltese can be prone to airway sensitivity and low blood sugar as puppies, I’ll ask a few quick safety questions: is there a honking cough, trouble breathing, blue or pale gums, collapse, severe lethargy, tremors, or seizures? If yes, this needs immediate care—please proceed to the nearest emergency hospital now, and I can alert our team. If a puppy seems low‑energy or isn’t eating, we’ll prioritize a same‑day appointment. For tear staining, dental concerns, or intermittent limping, I can book the next available wellness or dental/orthopedic consult.
Puppy (to ~16–20 weeks): book exams and vaccines every 3–4 weeks, plus parasite prevention and microchip; as a toy breed, Maltese owners often ask about tear staining, house‑training, grooming, and feeding routines—flag risk of puppy hypoglycemia and advise immediate contact if a very young pup is unusually sleepy, wobbly, trembling, or seizing. Adult (after series complete): shift to wellness every 6–12 months; Maltese commonly need early dental cleanings (around 1 year) and ongoing dental monitoring; review knee (patella) and airway questions, year‑round preventives, weight, and harness use. Senior (~10+ years): schedule at least every 6 months with doctor‑directed screening; anticipate questions on mobility, coughing, dental health, vision/hearing, and behavior changes. Red‑flag escalation: sudden honking cough with breathing difficulty, blue/gray gums, collapse, or seizures—call us now; if severe, go directly to the nearest emergency hospital. ([aaha.org](https://www.aaha.org/resources/life-stage-canine-2019/life-stage-checklist/))
Front desk script: For Maltese puppies, we’ll schedule vaccine visits every 3–4 weeks until the series finishes (around 16–20 weeks), then move to wellness checkups every 6–12 months; once your Maltese is considered senior (around age 10+), we’ll see them every 6 months. Because Maltese are toy‑size, we’ll also flag early dental care and keep an eye on knees and any cough. If you ever see trouble breathing, blue‑tinged gums, collapse, or a very young puppy that’s wobbly, trembling, or unusually sleepy, please call us immediately—if severe, go straight to the nearest emergency hospital.
For Maltese owners, set expectations around common small-breed issues and how you’ll triage them: note that toy breeds are prone to honking coughs from airway collapse—any blue/gray gums, open‑mouth breathing, collapse, or persistent distress is an emergency; a new or worsening honking cough without distress is same‑day. Clarify that tear staining on white coats is often cosmetic, but red, painful, squinting eyes or yellow/green discharge need same‑day assessment. Normalize brief “skipping” lameness that may come and go (kneecap laxity) and ask clients to capture a short video for the doctor. Emphasize routine dental checks because small breeds develop periodontal disease early. In puppies, if they report unusual after‑meal disorientation, pacing, or seizures, flag for the doctor and offer a prompt appointment.
Front desk script: Thanks for calling about your Maltese—these little dogs can have airway sensitivity and early dental buildup, so we check teeth and breathing at every visit. If you ever see blue or gray gums, open‑mouth breathing, collapse, or a cough that won’t stop, that’s an emergency—please come in now or go to the nearest ER. Tear staining can be normal, but if the eye is red, squinting, or has yellow/green discharge, we should see your pet today. If you notice a brief back‑leg “skip” or any odd episodes after meals in a young Maltese, please save a quick video and we’ll flag it for the doctor.
Maltese benefit from earlier and more frequent dental prevention (toy breeds are advised to have their first anesthetized dental evaluation by ~1 year) and are predisposed to patellar luxation (intermittent skipping/lameness), collapsing trachea (chronic “honking” cough), and congenital portosystemic shunts in some puppies (poor growth or odd neurologic episodes); persistent tear-staining/epiphora also warrants an eye check. For scheduling, confirm semiannual oral exams, ask about any cough, new limping, growth concerns in puppies, or ongoing tear-staining, and book timely evaluations. Escalate same day for persistent cough or sudden lameness; if breathing becomes labored, the gums look blue/gray, collapse occurs, or seizures are seen, direct the client to an emergency hospital immediately.
Front desk script: Maltese often need earlier dental care and can develop knee, airway, and eye issues—we recommend a dental/wellness visit and can note any cough, new limping, growth concerns in a puppy, or ongoing tear-staining for the doctor to assess. If the cough is ongoing or your dog suddenly starts skipping/limping, we’ll prioritize a same‑day appointment. If your Maltese is struggling to breathe, collapses, or has a seizure, please proceed to the nearest veterinary ER now.
Maltese are affectionate, people‑oriented toy dogs that do best with calm, low‑stress handling; use a slow approach, have the owner hand them off, and support chest and hindquarters—avoid neck pressure by using a harness/leash rather than a collar in clinic. Front‑desk priorities: ask about any “goose‑honk” cough or increased breathing effort (toy‑breed risk of tracheal collapse), small‑breed dental concerns (bad breath, dropping kibble, reluctance to chew), and intermittent hind‑leg skipping/lameness that can suggest patellar laxity. Escalate immediately if the caller reports obvious breathing distress, blue/gray gums, or collapse; in very young toy‑breed puppies, sudden weakness, wobbliness, tremors, disorientation, or seizures should be directed to an emergency hospital at once.
Front desk script: Thanks for calling about your Maltese. Are they having any honking cough, labored breathing, blue/gray gums, or collapse right now? If yes, please proceed to the nearest emergency hospital immediately; if there’s a new or persistent honking cough or open‑mouth breathing at rest, we should see them today. At check‑in we’ll use calm, gentle handling and a harness rather than neck restraint—please tell us if your dog is anxious so we can set up a quiet room.
Maltese commonly arrive with heavy matting/tear staining, dental tartar or retained baby teeth, and occasional hind‑limb “skipping” from patellar luxation; plan early grooming support, baseline dental and orthopedic checks, and use a harness (avoid neck collars) because toy breeds are prone to tracheal sensitivity/collapse. Ask about juvenile “poor doer” history or post‑meal disorientation/seizures that can suggest a congenital liver shunt in this breed and flag for veterinarian review. Eye care: epiphora/porphyrin staining is very visible on white coats; if squinting, redness, thick discharge, or rubbing occurs, book a same‑day exam. Neurologic note: young small white dogs can develop steroid‑responsive tremor (“white dog shaker”); new whole‑body tremors warrant same‑day evaluation. Escalate immediately to emergency care for a harsh honking cough with open‑mouth breathing, blue/gray gums, fainting/collapse, or rapidly worsening breathing.
Front desk script: Thanks for adopting a Maltese. We recommend a harness instead of a neck collar and a prompt baseline dental and orthopedic check, plus regular grooming/face hygiene. If you ever see a harsh honking cough with open‑mouth breathing, blue‑tinged gums, or collapse, go to the nearest emergency hospital now. For new whole‑body tremors or painful, red, squinting eyes, call us for a same‑day appointment.
Affectionate, people‑oriented, and often vocal, Maltese may be reserved with unfamiliar people yet bold for their size—seat away from larger dogs and offer a quiet area. Allow a calm owner‑led handoff or keep in carrier if that reduces stress. Use a harness when leashing and avoid any neck pressure; lift with one hand under the chest and the other supporting the hindquarters, and provide non‑slip footing. Long coats and sensitive eyes—avoid adhesives near hair and handle the face slowly. If you observe a honking cough, obvious breathing effort, blue‑tinged gums/tongue, fainting, or collapse, alert the medical team immediately—treat as an emergency.
Front desk script: We’ll seat you in a quieter spot away from big dogs—would [Pet Name] prefer to stay with you or in their carrier? Do they use a harness so we can avoid any neck pressure during handling? Is there anything that reliably helps [Pet Name] feel calm at handoff? If you notice a honking cough or any trouble breathing, please tell me right away so I can get a nurse immediately.
Maltese (toy breed) should be escalated immediately for any breathing difficulty or honking cough with effort; sudden collapse, seizures, or profound lethargy—especially in puppies (risk of low blood sugar); sudden eye pain/squinting, bulging eye, or colored discharge; and in young/small Maltese, episodes of confusion, circling, staring into space (often after meals), or any straining to urinate or inability to pass urine—treat as an emergency and route to a clinician/ER now.
Front desk script: Based on what you’ve described in your Maltese, this needs urgent veterinarian evaluation today. Please come in immediately; if we are closed or you cannot arrive promptly, go directly to the nearest emergency hospital. I’m alerting the clinical team now and we’ll be ready on arrival.