Yorkies Health
Health issues associated with Yorkshire Terriers
Most Toy Breeds
Introduction:
The Yorkshire Terrier is, by definition, an "active, independent, devoted, and hardy" small toy terrier. They are long-lived dogs,
with a life span averaging 12 - 16 years of age. However, the Yorkshire Terrier is not without its problems.
Due to advances in canine medicine, health problems are being discovered, treated, prevented, and/or avoided by careful breeding. The following problems do occur occasionally in the Yorkshire Terrier.
Conscientious breeders, however, are
working towards the elimination of these problems.
HYPOGYCEMIA
Hypoglycemia is when the blood sugar levels (glucose) fall well below normal. Glucose is what the body uses as fuel and is necessary for
the brain tissue and muscles to function. Hypoglycemia is often seen in toy breeds, and frequently in young toy puppies. It can cause your puppy to become confused, disoriented, drowsy, have the shivers, stagger about, collapse, fall into a coma, or have seizures.
Typical signs are listlessness, depression, staggering gait, muscular weakness, and tremors -- especially of the face. Puppies with a severe drop in the blood sugar develop seizures or become stuporous and go into a coma.
Some puppies may only exhibit weakness or a wobbly gait, and occasionally a puppy that seemed just fine is found in a coma. Most of the time the symptoms can be controlled by eating, or by giving some glucose such as honey water to the puppy. If not treated it can result in death.Â
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PORTOSYSTEMIC SHUNT
A portosystemic shunt is an abnormal vessel that allows blood to bypass the liver. As a result the blood is not cleansed by one of the bodies filters: the liver which results in neurological diseases.
Dogs with PSS have small liver, large kidneys, and stones in bladder or kidneys.
Breeds that are affected most often include Maltese, Yorkshire Terrier, Shih Tzu, Silky Terrier, Australian Cattle Dog, Bichon Frise, Miniature Schnauzer, Border Collie, Jack Russell Terrier, Irish Wolfhound and Himalayan cat. Shunts are significantly more likely to be found in female than male dogs and cats.
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PATELLAR LUXATION
The patellar or kneecap is usually located directly in the centre of the knee joint. Luxation, or dislocation of the patellar, occurs when the patellar slides out of its groove. Patellar luxation occurs mostly in toy and small breeds of dogs weighing 22 pounds or less such as Miniature Poodle, Pomeranian, Yorkshire Terrier, Shih Tzu and some other breeds. Females are 1.5 times more affected than males.Â
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An affected dog can lame occasionally, or walk on three legs. Sometimes, a dog will show pain and hold his leg up. Surgery is the treatment of choice. Conservative treatments such as prednisone and/or restricted activity doesn't give much benefit and is recommended mostly for mildly affected or older dogs.
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TRACHEAL COLLAPSE – RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS
Tracheal Collapse is a narrowing of the trachea (windpipe) due to softening of the cartilage rings in the trachea in some small dog breeds, such as Yorkshire Terrier, Pomeranian, Toy Poodle, Maltese, Chihuahua and other toy and miniature dog breeds. Symptoms include a cough, especially after exercise, noisy breathing and gagging. Treatment consists of conservative therapy or, in severe cases, surgery.
HYPO-ALLERGENIC
Yorkies are considered hypo-allergenic pets. My personal estimate is that they shed about as much as humans. I am allergic to dogs and my yorkies don't bother my allergies. Of course, everybody is different.
You can visit me to see if they bother your allergiesÂ
While you are there, you can play with my yorkie family and ask questions.Â
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