soft spot
by Carol A.
ORIGINAL MESSAGE:
I brought my new puppy home on Sunday and she is a beauty. I took her to my vet yesterday and he noticed that her soft spot has not closed. He adviced me to take the puppy back. The breeder is very nice and I know she will take the puppy back but I am already so attached and wonder if this is really necessary. How big a problem is this? I just lost my other maltese (Tiffany) 6 months ago to cancer. She was 11 yrs old. And I don't want to go through that again but I would really like to keep this one. I would appreciate any input. I'm just so afraid of what might happen to her.
DISCUSSION:
Carol I had the same problem with my Cricket, the breeder told me this was not anything to worry about. It had not been long since I lost my little one of sixteen years and I could not bare to lose another fur baby. I can not tell you how many times I would cry and fight with myself over letting her go back (I was already so much attached and in love with her); well Cricket is five months old now and the spot is only the size of a pin head. It started out the size of a quater. Which is large for a 2 pound dog. She was only 9 weeks old at the time. We had to be very careful with her. The vet told me just don't let anything hit her hard on the head. Try not to let her run into things while playing. There are some water heads, but that is not just a soft spot. These dogs are pron to seize. Question your vet and see it he thinks, if it's just like a small human baby soft spot or maybe something else. Cricket is fine and her head is closing up fine. Tina and Cricket
Tina
The soft spot lingering is occasionally seen in many toy dogs, including Maltese. It is usually associated with a very tiny size. The large Maltese usually close up pretty early. In any case I have seen tiny Maltese live long healthy lives with a soft spot. It should not cover the entire top of the head. The vet. no doubt wants to play it safe and you could return the dog but if she is otherwise healthy and she is a small one it may never be a problem. In Chihuahua's it is part of the breed and very desirable. So it doesn't have to be associated with other problems in dogs. You might want to discuss this more thoroughly with your vet. as to what problems HE is thinking about.
Mary Lou
You don't say hiw old your baby is, but it may be that the breeder let her go home a little early? If that is the case, the breeder may need to keep her a while longer before she can come home to stay. I'm not sure, but that may be what your vet was thinking. The soft spot is one of the reasons maltese don't usually go home before 12 weeks. It is where the two(?) plates of the skull haven't completely grown together and if she were to hit her head, it could do serious brain damage since there is nothing to protect it. You might want to get clarification from the vet and then take to the breeder to see what he/she thinks you should do (I hope you're on good terms with the breeder since they can be a very valuble resource to you). Good luck whatever you decide!
Carrie Anne & Cricket
I'm sorry in my first post I forgot to mention that the puppy is 12 weeks old. I picked her out of the litter when she was nine weeks and patiently waited until the breeder said she was ready to go. The soft spot was 1 cm then and the breeder pointed it out to me but said that her vet had looked at it and was confident that it would close in time. It is the same size now. Shouldn't it have closed a little in 4 weeks? I talked to the breeder today and she is willing to take the puppy back. I am taking the puppy to a nurologist tomorrow for another opinion. thank you all for your response.It is so good to have someplace to go with my questions where I know I will get honest answers.Thanks again.Carol A.
Carol A.
Lexie had the same problem when she was a puppy. The Vet said not to bring her back as it would probably close. It did. You might want to get another opinion.
David
Carol, Please let us know what the nurologist says and what you decide to do. Good luck!
Sandee
Carol, Ahzsie has the same thing. My vet said it's no problem, just to be careful with him. She told me that lots of toys have this and live very happy and healthy lives. In my humble opinion, KEEP YOUR SWEETIE!!!!
Isabel
| Please bear in mind when reading topics pertaining to health issues, that most of these questions were answered by helpful Maltese owners with no formal education in veterinary medicine. When in doubt seek a professionals advise. |
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