For Maltese owners who are uncertain when to call the veterinarian. Sometimes time can mean a matter of life and death. Know when to call your Veterinarian! Call Immediately Birth defects. Burns: often difficult to assess depth and extent. Choking: appears distressed, extends head and neck, salivates, coughs, paws the mouth. Collapse or loss of balance: Depression, staggering, falling over, walking in circles, rigidity, unable to get up. Difficulty breathing: noisy breathing, blue tongue, gasping. Continual straining: attempting to defaecate or urinate with little or no result. Heavy bleeding: from any part of the body. Apply pressure. Injury: puncture wound, exposed bone, lameness, pain. Pain: severe, continous or spasmadic. Itching: uncontrollable scratching, biting at the skin, bleeding. Vomiting and/or diarrhea: severe for more than two to three days. Poisoning: chemical, snake, spider or plant, retain for veterinarian to identify type of poisoning. Call Same Day Breathing difficulties: laboured, rapid or shallow . Diarrhea: fluid and/or putrid . Eye problems: eyelids partially or completely closed, cornea cloudy, tears streaming down cheeks . Itching: biting, scratching, hair loss, skin red and inflammed. Frost bite (hypothermia): low body temperature, wrap in blankets to keep warm. Swelling: hard and painful. Swallowed object: better to assess earlier. Vomiting: vomitimg associated with lethargy. Wait 24 Hours Before Calling Diarrhea: no signs of abdominal pain or blood. Itching: moderate, no sign of skin damage. Odor: unpleasent odor, other than a soiled coat. Vomiting: on 2-3 occations, no other symptoms. Lameness: depressed but not affecting eating or other bodily functions. Article taken from www.malteseonly.com