All You Need To Know About Yorkies Health

All You Need To Know About Yorkies Health

Yorkies have become extremely popular in recent years, especially because more and more celebrities are adopting them as their pets. You can easily dress him any way you want it, this little rascal will come as cute as a cupcake. Yorkies are very easy to own, but some aspects of their health require detailed attention. Your pet dog can have three types of problems, inherited, congenital, and acquired. Some are easy to treat, and some require more time and attention to heal. Let’s look into some of the most common diseases these little cuties develop and what you need to know about Yorkies' health.

Dental Hygiene and Problems

Every dog breed is prone to certain health problems, and Yorkies are no exception. As your Yorkie belongs to a group of small dogs, they often tend to have problems with teeth. You need to check for food residue after every meal, and there might be a cavity developing over some time, so a dental check-up would be in order. As prevention, clean your dog's teeth and gums at least once a week.

Hypoglycemia

One of the common health problems in Yorkies can be abnormally low blood sugar level or properly called hypoglycemia. This is quite frequent in the first five months after the birth, though it can appear in adults and pregnant females. If you notice that your favorite pet is exhibiting periods of low-energy levels, weakness, and even fainting, a pet vet is your permanent solution. Before taking him to the vet, you can ease his troubles by rubbing honey or sugar syrup on the gums of your dog. However, if hypoglycemia strikes again, it is a certain sign that your god needs medical help and long-term dietary changes. If not treated it damages the brain and affects motor skills.

Retinal Dysplasia

Another disease that affects your cute little toy is retinal dysplasia. An inherited health problem, breeders avoid getting offspring from other Yorkies that have a history of retinal dysplasia. However, it can appear in a perfectly healthy specimen. It impairs vision and can be detected by doing a thorough eye check-up. Often, the retina is only partially affected and your pet will have just minor blind spots and won’t be majorly affected. However, some specimens can develop larger-scale vision problems and even become blind. Unfortunately, there is no cure nor any treatment for this particular disease and you will be obliged to train your dog to deal with the newfound situation. If this happens, though we hope it won’t, try creating a routine for your dog, like keeping water and toys at the same place, when walking outside take the same route every day, and also, avoid moving the furniture in your apartment. Remember, your dog is extremely smart and has a great memory.

Cataracts

Another disease that impairs the vision of your pretty little toy dog is cataracts. These develop rather slowly and aren’t as aggressive as the retinal dysplasia, giving the dog a chance to adjust to the changing vision. Cataracts are caused by the change in the structure of the protein in the lens of the eye. If you take your dog to the vet at an early stage of the disease, it can be removed surgically, so tend to take your dog to regular eye check-ups every once in a while. Also, be careful not to miss vaccinations and daily grooming.

Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis

This is a deadly disease. If your pet has severe diarrhea and vomiting, accompanied by a sudden loss of appetite, it is a sign of hemorrhagic gastroenteritis. If this is happening take your pet to the vet without any second thoughts as this state requires immediate medical attention. If it continues it can cause rapid dehydration which can lead to death. The disease is treated symptomatically and after a couple of days, your dog will return to normal.

Pancreatitis

One more disease that can cause diarrhea and vomiting is Pancreatitis. The abdominal pain is accompanied by these symptoms and is caused by the inflammation of the pancreas. Another trip to the vet is unquestionable and the reasons for the disease could be excessive fat, bad dietary habits, among others. There is a prescribed treatment for the symptoms, while the dietary change and some other precautions are there to help your dog stay away from this terrible disease. Pancreatitis can be found in many dog breeds as well, so you should make sure to take proper action with your veterinarian.

Tracheal Collapse

Many small dogs can experience this disease, including your Yorkie, unfortunately. It is quite common with the Yorkies as it is one of the genetic health problems. The trachea, a tube that connects the throat to the lungs becomes abnormally narrow as the rings of cartilage lose its strength and rigidity. The signs that this has happened and ones you can spot are a persistent, dry, harsh cough. The symptoms intensify when pressure is put on a trachea, such as the one from a collar. So, if you notice your dog coughing when you take him outside, take a walk to the vet for a medical inspection. The condition can be treated medically or surgically. Until it is treated, don’t use a collar, instead, use a harness, and don’t expose your dog to tobacco smoke, among other irritants. Also, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs can be helpful.

Conclusion

These are the most common diseases found in a Yorkie, and your specimen might be affected. Now that you know all about the health, you will need to pay extra attention to those tiny aspects of his life, such as teeth cleaning, grooming, and watching out if he coughs while having on a collar.

If some serious symptoms appear, don’t delay and take your pet to the vet as soon as you see that something is wrong with him. You will have plenty of time to play again, once he is back to his full health. Let’s hope that you will prevent such things from happening; it is a small dog, don’t overfeed him.

Also, it is imperative that you take proper care of your Yorkie while he is still a puppy. Your Yorkie is more vulnerable when it is young and with that said, you should take extra steps to insure your Yorkies health is not at risk.