Yorkie Health Problems
Yorkies in general are very healthy animals, but they can be prone to certain diseases and genetic conditions that seem to occur in slightly higher percentages than other breeds. Each dog breed has specific problems that can occur and these are the ones to watch out for in yorkies.
Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia is defined as low blood sugar. This can be seen in younger yorkies who are not feed frequently enough. Small dogs have faster metabolism than larger dogs, so hypoglycemia is normally seen in smaller breeds like this. Signs of this in yorkies include: lethargy, listless, uncoordinated, unresponsiveness. Normally corn syrup rubbed on the gums can help until you can take your dog to the vet.
Health Problems
Yorkies tend to have very sensitive stomachs, to vomiting and diarrhea can occur if they eat foods that do not agree with them. The tend to be very picky about what they eat, so sometimes trying to get them to eat can be a problem. Also due to their small size, even the slightest trauma could break a bone or result in a bruise.
Life Span
Yorkies tend to live between 10 to 15 years. Teacup Yorkies live even shorter lives, and should not be bred.
Genetic Defects
- Legg-Calve-Perthes Syndrome: the top of the femur degenerates resulting in hip problems and limping. Generally removing the affected bone is curative, and many yorkies recover to almost full use of their hind leg.
- Luxating Patellas: This is common in smaller breed dogs. The knee cap comes out of position resulting in the dog limping or seemingly to have a locked leg. In severe cases surgery is necessary.
- Portosystemic Shunt: This is where a vein exists where blood is able to flow past the liver without having to go through it. This means the blood does not get filtered, and toxics and build up in the blood quickly resulting in seizures and stunted growth.
- Collapsed Trachea: Older yorkies are prone to this condition. Bascially the cartilage in the trachea becomes weak and collapese making it hard to breath and resulting in an almost chronic honking cough.
Summary
Although these problems are seen in Yorkies, remember that most are ver healthy and lead a long healthy life.
