Maltipoos are known to be a pretty healthy hybrid breed. However, being more resistant to diseases does not mean being completely invulnerable to them. As such, Maltipoo owners should maintain as much vigilance on their dogs' health as they would do for other dog species. Below are some of the diseases Maltipoos might encounter in their lives.

Portosystemic Shunt

Portosystemic shunt is a medical condition whereby there is abnormal blood flow between the body and the liver, which may cause blood flow to bypass the liver. This means that toxins in the blood are not cleared effectively by the liver, which can be detrimental to your dog's health. Look out for signs, including but not limited to hypoglycemia (low blood glucose level), poor balance, loss of appetite and drug intolerance. Treatment can come in the form of surgery to reroute the blood flow back to normal. However, in cases where surgery is not recommended, alterations to your Maltipoo's diet can be made to help control and minimize the problem.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy

Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) is a medical condition that can result in eventual blindness of the canine victim. It is caused by the progressive degeneration of the dog's retina. There are symptoms that may indicate that your Maltipoo is suffering from PRA. Early symptoms will include night-blindness, a disability to see well in dim lighting. Other symptoms includes dilated pupils and poor reaction to light stimulation in the eye. The bad news for PRA sufferers is that there is no cure or treatment for this condition. The good news, is that your Maltipoo will not be that badly affected by PRA as the progressive nature of this condition allows it to adjust itself to the growing blindness, and compensate it with its acute hearing and smell. Do take note to not change your dog's surrounding too much as they also rely on routine to make their way around in blindness.

White Shaker Dog Syndrome

White Shaker Dog Syndrome is a medical condition that causes your Maltipoo to tremble uncontrollably. The exact causes, although unknown, is speculated to be deficiency in its neurotransmitters. Although not painful, it can sometimes have such a fierce attack that your dog may be rendered temporarily incapacitated. Some Maltipoos can be cured completely with early treatment with drugs but others may need drugs to control these tremors for life.

Maintaining your vigilance is your responsibility as a responsible Maltipoo owner. Early treatment via spotting signs of anomalies can be a huge help in keeping your Maltipoo happy and healthy.