Abyssinian vs Maltese Vet Costs
Abyssinian owners spend $400-$1,050/yr at the vet. Maltese: $420-$1,050/yr. That's a $10/yr gap in average costs. Here's where the money goes.
Abyssinian
$6,500-$16,500
lifetime vet costs (15 yrs)
moderate health risk
Lifetime Gap
$100
Maltese costs less
Maltese
$6,800-$16,000
lifetime vet costs (14 yrs)
moderate health risk
Vet Cost Breakdown
| Category | Abyssinian | Maltese | Lower Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Vet Cost (avg) | $725/yr | $735/yr | Abyssinian |
| Annual Range | $400-$1,050 | $420-$1,050 | - |
| Preventive Care | $300/yr | $300/yr | Abyssinian |
| Emergency Risk Budget | $420/yr | $380/yr | Maltese |
| Pet Insurance | $30-$65/mo | $32-$65/mo | Abyssinian |
| Spay/Neuter | $160-$380 | $150-$350 | Maltese |
| Lifetime Vet Cost | $6,500-$16,500 | $6,800-$16,000 | Maltese |
Abyssinian Health Risks
moderate risk · medium, 6-10 lbs · 15-year lifespan · 2-3 visits/year average
- Renal amyloidosis (5-8%) $500-$5,000
- Progressive retinal atrophy (rdAc-PRA) (3-5%) $100-$400
- Dental disease (FORL) (30-40%) $300-$900
- Pyruvate kinase deficiency (PK-Def) (5-10%) $200-$2,000
Maltese Health Risks
moderate risk · small, 4-7 lbs · 14-year lifespan · 2-3 visits/year average
- Dental disease (90%+) $300-$900
- Patellar luxation (15-20%) $1,500-$4,000
- Hypoglycemia (puppies mostly) $100-$800
- Portosystemic shunt (3-5%) $3,000-$8,000
Breed-Specific Procedures
Abyssinian
- rdAc-PRA + PK-Def DNA test $80-$180
- Kidney function blood panel $100-$250
- Dental cleaning + X-rays $300-$800
- Wellness exam + vaccines $120-$270
Maltese
- Dental cleaning + extractions $380-$850
- Bile acids test (liver) $80-$200
- Wellness exam + vaccines $130-$270
Insurance: Is It Worth It?
Abyssinian
$30-$65/mo ($360-$780/yr)
moderate risk. Worth it if you get coverage before age 2, when premiums are lowest.
Maltese
$32-$65/mo ($384-$780/yr)
moderate risk. Worth it if you get coverage before age 2, when premiums are lowest.
Premiums from Nationwide, ASPCA, and Embrace. Accident + illness plans, $500 deductible, 80% reimbursement.