10 Widespread Yorkie Well being Points


Yorkie at the vet.
Picture credit score: Tatyana Vyc, Shutterstock

There’s a lot to like in regards to the one-of-a-kind Yorkshire Terrier, also referred to as the Yorkie. However are Yorkies a wholesome breed? Whereas they’re an undeniably lovely breed and stay between 13 and 16 years on common, Yorkies are vulnerable to a number of well being circumstances. If you’re contemplating adopting a brand new pup or have already got a Yorkie that’s the middle of your life, you could know what to anticipate in the case of their well being. Sit again and dive in as I focus on the most typical Yorkie well being issues.

From The Veterinarian

I requested Dr. Hannah Godfrey, BVetMed MRCVS, to clarify slightly about Yorkies’ well being points. Right here’s what she needed to say.

Yorkshire Terriers are vulnerable to sure well being circumstances. One in all these is tracheal collapse – a situation the place the windpipe (trachea), which is already comparatively slender, folds in on itself as a substitute of maintaining a sturdy tubular form. This could trigger a honking cough, typically making it sound like they’re struggling to get their breath. Typically, the situation will be managed with anti-inflammatories and different drugs when wanted, however often, a stent must be positioned to maintain the airway open.

Yorkies are additionally vulnerable to dental illness as a result of they’ve a number of tooth in such a small area, they typically desire gentle meals, they usually could also be extra immune to tooth brushing. One other situation that Yorkies are vulnerable to is a luxating patella, the place the kneecap is simply loosely held in place, that means it simply falls misplaced, typically inflicting ache and affecting motion. In case your canine is affected, you would possibly discover them taking an occasional skip on their hind leg once they stroll or run. Relying on the severity, a canine with a luxating patella could require no therapy, anti-inflammatory medicine, or surgical procedure.

Dr. Hannah Godfrey, BVetMed MRCVS & Canine Journal Creator

Dr. Godfrey provides, “To maintain your Yorkie as wholesome as doable, it’s greatest to maintain them updated with vaccinations and parasite management therapy, be careful for any limping, skipping, or mobility issues, and brush their tooth often. In the event that they’ll eat it, feeding dry meals quite than gentle meals will likely be useful to keep up their tooth well being for longer, however with out toothbrushing, most canines require veterinary dental therapy in some unspecified time in the future of their lives.”

10 Widespread Yorkshire Terrier Well being Points

Yorkshire terriers in tracksuits at the window.

Yorkies are vulnerable to a number of well being circumstances. Whereas this listing isn’t complete, I focus on 10 of essentially the most prevalent. It’s greatest to debate main well being considerations about your Yorkie together with your vet; this text is for informative functions solely and gives basic data, not recommendation for treating every canine’s particular person well being wants.