Picture taken from www.nokesville.olx.com
The Yorkshire Terrier is just one of the breeds of dogs (which includes crossbreeds) that can have genetic issues affect their health.
Careful observation, regular grooming and putting your hands on your dog several times per week helps insure your Yorkies are happy, healthy, in the right weight for his size and if there is something developing you catch it before it gets to be a problem.
Monitor your Yorkie Puppy closely.
Too thin or too fat is not good for your dog – and the latter especially can trigger health problems that shorten his life and take it far too soon.
Losing a loved pet is heartbreaking – if you can do something about it then it only makes sense to be aware of Yorkshire Terrier Health issues.
Obesity is as easy as taking up the food and adding an extra five minutes onto their walk!
There is an immense amount of information available on the internet and sorting through it to make decisions in the best interest of your Yorkshire Terrier is critical.
The most important professional in your dog’s life is a good veterinarian but your yorkie breeder is important also.
Use caution with any source that makes a recommendation then tries to sell you something.
In the case of genetic issues there is really nothing you can do except minimize the effects and prepare yourself to have to make the decision eventually that will relieve his suffering.
The hardest decision a pet owner faces is having to sign the paper to have him put to sleep and no longer dealing with health problems.
The best way to minimize the chances of this is getting a Yorkie Puppy from a Yorkie Breeder who tests for the genetic markers that can predispose them to some diseases.
Genetic issues such as chondrodysplasia (dwarfism) are why many breeders frown on the “teacup” Yorkshire Terriers, that are bred smaller.
However, even in the best breeders there can be non-genetic diseases – allergies, bladder stones, cataracts, campylobacteriosis (often mistaken for parvo but has a different cause and treatment needed), coccidiosis, cushings, heart disease, hypoglycemia, diseases of the liver, pancreas and other organs are all possibilities.
Shaker Dog syndrome is another malady that can affect small breeds, including Yorkies.
Consider carefully if you think you want to be a Yorkie breeder.
A good Yorkie breeder chooses superior parents, knows the risk of losing the bitch is high and the costs for feed, medical care, docking tails, worming and other costs which may include surgery if whelping problems arise are not cheap.
The testing of the parents for any genetic health issues they may pass to the Yorkie puppies is important.
There will be little profit in breeding if done for the good of the puppies.
However, many people and groups also push spay/neuter as a solution to all pet owners’ problems.
Training solves behaviour issues, not surgery.
However, it does eliminate any chances of puppies, and is often a good solution for safe management.
Remember this is major surgery.
Research and learn about different methods of care and management and decide what is best for you and your dog.
While some veterinarians embrace chiropractic, acupuncture, raw diets and other means of limiting toxins in the pet’s environment there are still the majority who do not encourage such things.
Some critics say there’s no money in healthy dogs.
Yorkies benefit from a good diet and management and remember that your veterinarian has an opinion just like any other person.
You may disagree, but do so with distinct reasons and remember that in deciding you also accept the responsibility for the decisions, both good and bad!
Your Yorkshire Terrier deserves a good quality health program and being an informed owner means making decisions, not blind acceptance of someone else’s recommendation.
There is a host of ills that can befall Yorkies, just as many other breeds and general risks that affect all dogs.
Taking in a dog is a responsibility from a health standpoint as well as for all the good reasons.
A good dog is worth the money.
If expenses trouble you keep a veterinary fund and put $10-20 per month in the envelope.
If a trip to the veterinarian is needed you have the money saved up to take care of your Yorkie.
Small amounts can add up and when compared to the large amounts of devotion a good dog gives, it is a very small price to pay.