Dog health

Maltese health problems and costs

The health issues a real source ties to the Maltese, what each one is, and what it tends to cost, so you can plan ahead.

Last updated: October 2026 · 15 sources · see sources

Quick answerThe breed club and AKC point to 3 health issues to plan for: luxating patella, patent ductus arteriosus and liver shunt. A typical vet bill for a small dog runs $273 – $1,110.

Health problems linked to the Maltese

Conditions and what they can cost
ConditionWhat it isRelated costs
Luxating patella (slipping kneecap)Named by: AKC breed page, breed club screening [1]The kneecap slips out of its groove. Mild cases may only cause an odd skip in the step; severe cases can need surgery. [2]Surgery, median invoice: $1,284 (typical $578–$3,229) [3]
Dog X-rays (owner bills): $130–$300 [4]
Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)Named by: AKC breed page [1]A blood vessel that should close after birth stays open. It is usually found as a murmur in puppies and is often fixed with a procedure. [5]Surgery, median invoice: $1,284 (typical $578–$3,229) [3]
Liver shuntNamed by: AKC breed page, breed club screening [1]A blood vessel bypasses the liver, so toxins aren't filtered out. Signs often show in young dogs, and surgery can correct many shunts. [6]Dog blood work (owner bills): $60–$190 [7]
Surgery, median invoice: $1,284 (typical $578–$3,229) [3]

Costs are national figures from our sourced cost guides, not breed-specific prices. Being on this list doesn't mean a pet will get the condition.

Here is how the AKC breed page puts it: Responsible breeders screen their stock for health conditions such as luxating patella and heart anomalies such as PDA (patent ductus arteriosus). It is recommended that Maltese puppies be bile-acid tested to rule out congenital liver issues such as liver shunt and microvascular dysplasia (MVD). [1]

Health screening

The national breed club recommends these health tests for breeding dogs: Patella Evaluation, Cardiac Exam, Serum Bile Acids. [1][8] If you are buying a puppy, it is fair to ask the breeder for the parents' results. OFA keeps a public database of many of them.

The UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory lists 1 DNA health test for the Maltese, including Progressive Rod-Cone Degeneration (PRA-prcd). [9] One health test costs $58 there. [10]

What to budget

For a small dog like the Maltese, a typical vet bill runs $273 – $1,110 (median $508), and surgery, when needed, runs $435 – $1,484. [11]

Lifetime cost, roughly. Our yearly estimate for an adult Maltese at US-average prices, before insurance, is $880–$1,400. Multiply that by a life expectancy of 12–15 years and you get roughly $10,500–$20,700 over a lifetime, before inflation and before any major illness. The low end is the ASPCA's yearly cost of care; the high end adds one typical vet bill a year. [11][12] It's simple math on sourced figures, not a quote.

Insurance and savings

The average accident and illness policy cost $836 a year for a dog in the US in 2025. [13] Timing matters more than the price. A condition that shows up before you enroll is usually treated as pre-existing and isn't covered. [14] Many plans also have a 6 to 12 month waiting period for orthopedic problems like knees and hips. [15]

Prefer saving instead? Putting money aside each month works too; see insurance vs a savings fund.

Common questions

What health problems are common in the Maltese?

Based on the AKC breed page and the national breed club's screening list, the conditions to know about are luxating patella, patent ductus arteriosus and liver shunt. That doesn't mean every Maltese will get them.

How much are vet bills for a Maltese?

Breed-specific bills are rare, so VetReceipt groups dogs by size. For small dogs, a typical vet bill runs $273 – $1,110 (median $508).

Should I get pet insurance for a Maltese?

It's a personal call. The average accident and illness policy was $836 a year in 2025 (NAPHIA). If you want it, enroll while your pet is young and healthy, because conditions found before enrollment are usually excluded.

What health tests should a Maltese breeder do?

The national breed club recommends: Patella Evaluation, Cardiac Exam, Serum Bile Acids. Ask to see the parents' results.

How long does a Maltese live?

The AKC lists a life expectancy of 12–15 years.

Maltese breed guideLuxating patella surgery cost for dogsLactuloseSurgery and hospitalization costDiagnostics costPet insurance basics

This page is general information for planning, not veterinary advice. Talk to your vet about your own pet.

Sources (15) — tap to show
  1. AKC – Maltese breed page (with the national breed club)
  2. VCA – Luxating patella in dogs
  3. VetReceipt – Vet care cost by category (2026)
  4. VetReceipt – Dog X-Ray Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  5. VCA – Patent ductus arteriosus in dogs
  6. VCA – Portosystemic shunt in dogs
  7. VetReceipt – Dog Blood Work Cost (owner bills, 2026)
  8. OFA – CHIC program: breed-specific health screening requirements
  9. UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory – Maltese DNA tests
  10. UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory – Dog DNA test prices (effective Aug 3, 2026)
  11. VetReceipt – Dog breed vet costs by size
  12. ASPCA – Cutting Pet Care Costs (2021 table)
  13. NAPHIA – State of the Industry 2026 report highlights (2025 premiums)
  14. RealVetCost – Feline diabetes treatment cost
  15. VetReceipt – Dog TPLO Surgery Cost (owner bills, 2026)