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Yorkshire Terrier Health Information

No matter how healthy a Yorkshire terrier may appear you will always come across some sort of health issues. Some health issues that are often seen in Yorkshire terriers include lymphangiectasia, bronchitis, hepatic lipidosis, cataracts and keratitis sicca. Reactions to where the site of an injection is quite common which usually results in inflammation or even hair loss so do not be alarmed. Yorkshire terriers are infamous for their delicate digestive system and often suffer form vomiting and diarrhoea; this is commonly due to over feeding or foods not tolerated by the Yorkie. They do tend to be fussy when it comes to food and will not eat what they don’t like so it is important to find a food that agrees with them and they like. Try and avoid mixing foods as they tend not to enjoy the different combinations of flavours. Due to the obvious small size of this toy breed anaesthesia can be a risk and some vets may not wish to perform operations. Another concern with the size of the Yorkshire terrier is that they seem susceptible to injury because of falls, other dogs as they will strike at bigger dogs or even the owner’s mistakes. This is another reason why Yorkies are not recommended for small children as they are likely to injure the dog. This may even be screened by breeders or rescue centres and most will not allow families with young children to have a Yorkshire terrier. It is important to maintain the Yorkies weight at around 7 pounds as it could cause it to have a shorter life span of less than the average 12 – 15 years. Yorkie with weight problems Yorkies weighing 3 pounds or under are more prone to illness and chronic health problems with more problems regarding anaesthesia and injury.

Hypoglycaemia

This is the same as it is in humans, it is low blood sugar normally found in puppies this is caused by fasting or too much time between meals this however is not permanent but in rare cases it can continue in mature life if untreated in small Yorkies. It is most commonly seen in Yorkshire terrier puppies of about 5 to 16 weeks old as owners are unaware how often to feed the puppy. Small puppies will more than likely develop this due to the lack of muscle mass it is difficult for the Yorkie to regulate blood sugar levels and storing glucose which is need for energy. There are other factors that could bring on hypoglycaemia such as a cold environment, change in diet or feeding regime, stress e.g. moving or fatigue. It can also be a symptom of an illness for example low blood sugar levels can be a result of a bacterial infection, parasites or even live failure. Hypoglycaemia causes the Yorkshire terrier to become shaky and uncoordinated, drowsy, glassy eyed because the brain needs energy in the form of sugar to function normally. A Yorkshire terrier showing a number of these symptoms should be taken to an expert straight away as prolonged hypoglycaemia can cause permanent damage especially to the brain, and in severe cases it can be fatal.

Genetic defects

A pure Yorkshire terrier, like most other pure bred dogs are unfortunately prone to genetic disorders due to a weakness in the genes and incest within the bred. These are some of the most common congenital defects that affect a Yorkshire terrier and include portosystemic shunt, tracheal collapse, hypoplasia of dens, patellar luxation, Legg-Perthes disease, distichiasis, retinal dysplasia, hydrocephalus and bladder stones.

Distichiae

This is quite often found in Yorkshire terriers but can be simple to treat. This is were an eyelash or groups grow in abnormal (wanted) places. This is usually located in the duct of the meibomian gland (edge of the eyelid). Distichiae irritates the eye causing tearing leading to the eye being ‘stuck’ together, inflammation, squinting, or more severely corneal abrasions and or corneal ulcers. Treatment options may include manual removal may require tweezers, electrolysis or surgery always consult an expert or vet.

Hypoplasia of dens

Common in the Yorkie this is a non-formation of the pivot point specifically the 2nd cervical vertebra, which will lead to spinal cord damage which is seen as severe damage. This can present itself in the Yorkie at any stage of itself and symptoms include neck pain (which can be hard to see) or even quadriplegia

Legg-Perthes disease

This disease causes the tip of the femur (the thigh bone) to degenerate; this particular disease is most common in the Yorkshire terrier compared to any other breed. This is because genetically Yorkshire terriers seem to suffer from insufficient circulation around the hip joint. If the blood supply is reduced too much this could result in the bone itself collapsing and dieing making the surrounding cartilage deformed and cracked. This disease most often appears in the first 5 to 8 months of the dog life and presents itself with signs of pain, lameness or limping. The standard and most common treatment is to remove the affected part of the bone surgically. After the surgery the muscles that surrounded the previous bone support and hold the femur in place while fibrous tissues form in the area to prevent bone rubbing on bone which is very painful and uncomfortable. The only sign of this operation should be a difference in size of the affected leg but the Yorkshire terrier should regain almost normal use.

Luxating patellas

This is actually slipping kneecaps which are a common genetic defect in Yorkies. Yorkshire terriers have weak ligaments and tendons supporting the knee or can even be malformed, too shallower patellar grooves allow the knee cap to ‘slip’ out of its groove sideways. This causes the Yorkies leg to lock with its foot held off the ground. A Yorkie suffering this will experience lameness and frequent pain the constant strain and rubbing on the joint will lead to suffer and prolonged lameness. Surgery is the main treatment for this disease.

Portosystemic shunt,

Portosystemic shunt is a congenital malformation of the portal vein, the portal vein is very important as it brings blood to the liver for filtering and is common in Yorkies. In some cases the blood can bypass the liver meaning that toxins that are screened by the liver go through the body poisoning the heart, brain, lungs and other main organs. A Yorkshire terrier suffering this will show a variety of symptoms ranging from small to serious. These symptoms can include, weak muscle development, lack of appetite, small stature, ability to learn decreases, partial or complete blindness, vomiting and/or diarrhoea, differences in behaviour, fits (usually after a meal), coordination problems, coma which can lead to death. In most cases if the shunt is caught early enough it can be treated through surgery.

Tracheal collapse

This is caused typically in Yorkshire terriers due to a progressive weakening at the walls of the trachea, this occurs in a number of toy breeds, especially the smaller Yorkies. This is also a result of genetics, the walls of the trachea can be flaccid, and a condition that worsens with age. There is a possibility that trauma or a continuous strain on the Yorkies neck could contribute to the trachea collapsing. This could be due to the Yorkie which characteristically holds its head high or pulls against the lead. Vets and respected Yorkshire terrier expects recommend to use a harness when walking them.

Cushing's disease

This occurs in Yorkies and is a disorder which causes an increase in the production of a steroid hormone by the adrenal glands, this can weaken the cartilage and also lead to the tracheal can also weaken cartilage and lead to the trachea to collapse. The symptoms of this can start of with an occasional honking cough usually when the Yorkie is excited. As the disease progresses the cough can become constant, is puts extra strain on the Yorkshire terrier.

If this condition is untreated the constant breathing through the collapsed trachea for a prolonged time could result in lung disease. Firstly the coughing can be treated using cough suppressants and bronchodilators (similar to those used by asthma sufferers.) If the trachea is completely collapsed and does not respond to medications, surgery can be used to repair the damage but is risky.