Yorkshire Terriers are
sometimes prone to tooth problems, even early tooth
decay. Grooming instructions for the Yorkie often
include details on brushing the teeth and other
tooth care. This breed may also suffer from
digestion problems, making diet choices even more
important than with some other dogs. Some owners and
breeders have found the best results from feeding
dry food along with small amounts of canned food.
This helps cleaning of the teeth on a daily basis.
Yorkshire Terriers may also be prone to spine and
back problems, in addition to fragile bones. This is
a toy breed, even tiny compared with many other
dogs. Though the Yorkie is generally health, it is
important to pay attention to the bone structure of
the dog to detect any problems before they become
major health concerns. The Yorkie can be a prime
candidate for broken bones due to accident or rough
play.
Some toy breeds, including the
Yorkshire Terrier, suffer from luxating patella, in
which the kneecap actually moves from its normal
position. A groove in the top of the femur bone
allows the kneecap to slide up and down naturally
when the leg moves. Nevertheless, with luxating
patella, the ridges do not develop normally,
allowing the kneecap to move out of the groove. The
dog will generally try to walk with the leg held off
the ground when this happens.
This can be a genetic defect and should be one of
the conditions you talk about with a breeder when
you are looking at puppies. A reputable breeder will
not only be aware of the possibility of luxating
patella in toy breeds, but will also take care to
use breeding parents known to be free of this
condition. Surgery by a veterinary specialist may be
necessary to correct this condition. With successful
surgery, the pet can lead a normal, even active,
life.
Tooth problems can be prevalent in some breeds more
than others. The Yorkshire Terrier seems to be one
breed in which early tooth decay can be a concern.
Many Yorkie owners and organizations make a point to
educate owners in this area of dog health. Yorkshire
Terrier owners should learn to scrape and otherwise
clean the dog’s teeth on a weekly basis. In
addition, the teeth should be given some
professional attention on a consistent basis. Some
veterinary specialists recommend antibacterial
treatment to head off infections.
One other area for Yorkie owners to watch for is
digestion problems. The Yorkshire Terrier should not
be overfed. Some have been known to become a bit
obese through improper feeding and lack of exercise.
Yorkies also have a tendency toward delicate
digestive systems. Care should be taken with toy
dogs such as the Yorkshire Terrier that bacterial
diarrhea does not develop. This type of condition
can quickly dehydrate a very small dog. If you see
that your Yorkie is refusing to eat, is vomiting, or
has significant changes in toilet habits, it would
be best to seek veterinary advice immediately.
Yorkie owners may also want to be aware of
protein-losing enteropathy. This condition means
that the dog is losing protein through the intestine
and these nutrients are not easily replaced. Protein
losing enteropathy is an inherited immune-mediated
disease of the intestines. Many dogs do not show
clinical signs of this disease until they are over
the age of five. Abnormal fluid accumulation may
occur, secondary to decreased protein levels in the
blood. The Yorkshire Terrier is a small, beautiful
dog that can be a wonderful pet. However, proper
care is vital, as is attention to details in health
and diet.
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