Neurological Partial Paralysis in Leg

Question
I am considering adopting a 2 year old female Maltese.  Her breeder indicated she does walk with a limp but she has been to two different vets to have her checked and she has been told the partial paralysis (as she stumbles a little when she walks) appears to not need treatment or is of any concern.  The vets indicated it may be that she was bread too close and this is just neurological. The dog is in no pain and has had this since she was 5 months old.  My concern is adopting her and possibly having more health concerns as she gets older.  Your thoughts and advice? She is healthy and she gets around with other dogs fine when playing inside or outside...but I noticed she seems a bit underweight perhaps based on pictures of other malteses I've seen. I have met this little girl in person. She is precious. She is a teacup and is only about 4lbs. So maybe it is more breed related.  The breeder is very good to her animals, and will be on Animal Planet with her dogs. So her care and nurturing are certainly there with her dogs. I do not believe this little one was one of her breeds...just that she loved her when she met her...and took her home as a puppy. Please help me with this tough decision.

Answer
Hello - sorry for the delay in answering you.
If she is already two years old, most of the problems would have come out by now.  Basically, what you see is what you get with this gal.  Now, there is no guarantee things will always be stable.
Not even a vet can give you a guarantee on this little Maltese kid.

My maltese is also very small - 6 pounds at adult weight.  This breed also doesn't maintain Fat in the body.  Many of the breed are lean and they do not tend to get overweight.


BEST wishes with your little one!

Marie Peppers
***NuVET Plus / the best doggie vitamin in the USA
http://www.apluspetcare.com/untitled4.html