How do I care for my Maltese, especially when I'm leaving home?

It really depends on where you are taking her and how you are getting there. If she is used to traveling than it shouldn't be a problem. If not, you may need to get a sedative from your vet, especially if the distance is far.

It sounds like Cuddlez may need some additional treatment to get her heart disease under control. I would recommend taking her back to the vet and telling them what you just told us. Also, before that appointment, count how often she is breathing a minute while resting or sleeping -- that number should be less than 20-30 breaths per minute. Let your vet know if it's more. In terms of you being away, if Cuddlez is very stressed was separated from you, that could make things worse with her disease because stress causes increase blood pressure, which makes the heart work harder. But is she just as willing to rest and relax when you aren't there, the change won't be significant. I would recommend leaving your son with detailed instructions about what to do with Cuddlez starts to go downhill. Your vet can talk to you about parameters that would indicate poor quality of life. It's possible she may need to be put to sleep while you're gone -- I hope not --- but it's important to prepare for the worst.

Double check with your vet that all the requirements for transporting Bella across the countries are met. I wouldn't introduce any new snacks since it could cause upset stomach. Simply observe her normal feeding times and stop for a quick walk and potty break every few hours. Make sure to keep her on a leash and be watchful of your surroundings when stopping.

Thanks for using coach! Lady will need access to go potty throughout the day. If she has access to potty pads that will be sufficient. She also needs lots of freshwater. Because of her size she really needs to be fed 3 to 4 times a day so her blood sugar doesn’t get too low. I would see if you can find someone to come and feed her several times a day. Also, that many hours alone she will probably be pretty bored and may end up being distructive to her surroundings. This means she may eat her poop, chew up her blankets and pee pads, or cry for hours. I would set up a dog walker or find a friend that can help pet sit to break up her alone time. Good luck and kisses to Lady!

Congratulations on your new pet! It is not recommended to bathe a pup less than 3 monmths of age. You can use plain, unscented baby wipes or pet wipes to spot clean her as needed. Feed a good quality puppy food. Stay away from store or discount brands as these typically contain low quality ingredients and more fillers. The breeder may give you a bag of food to go home with. If Blush eats it, does well on it and it is easy for you to get then stick with it. If you need to change diets, do it gradually, over the course of 7-10 days, to prevent gastrointestinal upset. Try to avoid switching diets frequently to avoid creating a picky eater. She should not need vitamin supplementation if she is eating a quality puppy food. Dogs have similar tolerances for temperature that we do. If it is too cold fo ryou inside, it is too cold for her. Air conditioning should be tolerable for her. You can start crate training her or wee wee pad trainign her as soon as you get home. If you use a crate, it should be just big enough for her to stand, turn around and lay down. Start a schedule for bathroom breaks. She should go out first thing in the morning, after naps, about 20-30 minutes after eating or playing and just before bedtime. She will likely need to go out one or two times during the night as well. Choose one spot in your yard and allow her to use it. She can go outside in your yard. She should not be exposed to dogs of unknown vaccine statuse until about 2 weeks after she receives her last vaccine.

Hello and welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Having someone come to the house is a great idea, it will keep Canela happy in her own environment. Consider having the friend bring Canela for walks if they can. Also, consider calling and 'skyping' Canela while you are gone. Another thing to prepare for your vacation is to discuss with your vet and your emergency clinic that you are going away, and what you wish to happen with Canela in the event of an emergency. Stress can bring on some conditions (but you are doing everything to minimize this already which is great!), so giving your vet/the emergency vet your contact information, and some people will leave their credit card information with financial limits and wishes, so that if something happens in the middle of the night and you cannot be contacted Canela is given the care you desire. Best of luck on your vacation, and it sounds like you are prepped and Canela will be well taken care of!

No problem! Maltese do have a tendency to get a lot of tartar, so it's best to brush her teeth every day if she will let you - you can get special dog toothpaste (don't use the human kind!) and a soft baby toothbrush that will be gentle on her gums. Providing things to chew on like cow or pig ears, rawhide chews, or dental sticks can also be helpful.