What Vaccinations Do Maltese Puppies Have to Get?

The bulk of vaccination recommendations for the Maltese breed do not significantly vary from those advised for other canine breeds. There are however, special considerations based on the lifestyle of their canine companion, that dog owners should discuss with their veterinarian when making vaccination decisions. If the dog remains strictly indoors, there are some diseases he or she most likely will not contract. If the dog engages with other dogs, its risk is higher.

  1. Parvovirus

    • Most veterinarians and Maltese breeders recommend this vaccination be given at five weeks of age. Parvovirus is the canine equivalent of the human flu and is the most common disease impacting puppies. It is a hardy virus, able to survive up to six months under favorable conditions. Its symptoms include diarrhea that is often bloody, as well as vomiting and dehydration. It is extremely severe in puppies.

    Combination Shot

    • Called the 5-way shot in veterinary circles, this vaccination is recommended for administration when puppies reach the ages of 6, 9, 12 and 15 weeks of age. It includes protection against adenovirus cough, hepatitis, distemper, para-influenza and parovirus.

    Rabies

    • As with all other dogs, Maltese must get rabies vaccinations. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, most states and many local governments have enacted regulations requiring puppy vaccination between the ages of three and six months with booster shots every three years for life. The bulk of these regulations are enforced by hefty fines. Rabies is a viral disease passed through contact with infected saliva. It causes severe behavioral changes and attacks the brain within 24 hours of transmission.

    Coronavirus

    • This virus is very similar to parvovirus and is often hard to distinguish; requiring veterinarians to do extensive bloodwork to diagnose. It is far more dangerous than parvo and can cause death. It invades the cells of the intestinal lining. Current recommendations are for this vaccination to be administered at nine and 12 weeks of age. The social nature of dogs - smelling each other and licking each other's hind ends - is the prime vector for transmission -- as this virus is transmitted via fecal contact.

    Lyme

    • Spread by the bites of infected ticks, Lyme disease is quite harmful to dogs. It causes lameness and if left untreated, can lead to complete kidney failure. Its occurrence is highest in the New England states, as well as western Michigan and north central California. Vaccinations are available, but not all veterinarians consider them to be effective. Current recommendations call for canine vaccination at 12 weeks of age with a follow-up dosage three weeks later. Yearly adult boosters are also advised. Unless your Maltese is headed outside, this disease may not affect your companion.

    Leptospirosis

    • The verdict on whether a Maltese truly needs this vaccination truly depends on your veterinarian's opinion. If your Maltese is strictly an indoor dog -- chances are, it won't come in contact with this bacterial infection transferred via shared body fluids, placental or venereal contact and bite wounds. It attacks the kidney, liver, spleen and nervous system and therefore some veterinarians prefer to vaccinate for this particular infection, as other animals and humans are susceptible to it. Common symptoms are high fever, shivering and muscle tenderness. Some veterinarians recommend the vaccination as early as 12 weeks, and others advise owners to wait until the Maltese is an adult.