Common Health Problems Facing the Yorkie

Having a Yorkshire Terrier provides you with many benefits, but there are still some health problems that you should be on the lookout for. Health problems for the Yorkshire Terrier can be either inherited, congenital or acquired. While many of the Yorkshire Terrier health problems have become a thing of the past due to continued research and selective breeding practices, you should still know the most common Yorkshire Terrier health problems and signs so that you can provide your dog with a happy and healthy life.

Many Yorkshire Terriers are affected by a common condition known as portosystemic shunts. With this condition the blood flows around the liver rather than to the liver, which leads to serious problems since a dog cannot remove the toxins from their body. The condition can be acquired or congenital, meaning that the condition can be present at birth or it can develop later in life. Typically dogs with this condition are small for their age or breed. Some other signs of this condition are excessive drinking, frequent urination and after eating they may show signs of depression, muscular in coordination, coma and seizures.

Hypothyroidism is another of the Yorkshire Terrier health problems that you want to educate yourself about. The thyroid gland produces a hormone that helps to speed up metabolism and is found in the neck. Hypothyroidism occurs when the gland stops functioning and it is one of the most common hormonal diseases in dogs. It is still unknown what many of the causes are for hypothyroidism. The only known cause is when the immune system destroys the gland. Most of the time this disease affects middle-aged dogs. The first sign is typically hair loss and tests won't be able to link the hair loss to any other skin condition. Weight gain, muscle loss, lethargy and a tendency to seek heat are other symptoms that can occur. The signs are often simply attributed to the aging process of dogs and medical care is not sought as a result. Although not a life threatening condition it can affect the pets quality of life and reduce their overall number of years if left untreated.

The last of the most common Yorkshire Terrier health problems is renal failure. The kidneys help to clear the blood of any toxins and help conserve water if a pet isn't drinking as much as they should. If the kidneys begin to deteriorate it leads to a condition called chronic renal failure, which can lead to serious health problems for your pet. Chronic renal failure can result from a variety of inherited or acquired disorders. The hard part is that the signs are very vague which means the condition often mimics nearly any other condition. The condition is typically found in middle-aged to older Yorkshire Terriers and the signs to consider include excessive drinking or urination, weight loss, loss of appetite, vomiting or general signs that your pet is not feeling well. If chronic renal failure is diagnosed soon enough then the progression of the disease can be slowed by dietary means. Your veterinarian will help you feed your pet a diet that has reduced protein, phosphorous and salt.

Susan Bailey has a lot of experience when it comes to recognizing signs and symptoms in dogs. An important part of Yorkshire Terrier care is the ability to recognize common health problems. You also want to be aware of when you should seek emergency care for your Yorkshire Terrier.