Health issues common in Yorkshire Terriers.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy-Progressive Rod Cone Degeneration
PRA-prcd is a group of degenerative eye disorders causing blindness in both eyes over time. As its name implies, this blindness is caused by the gradual deterioration and loss of function in the retina and its photoreceptors: rods and cones. The membranous retina lines the back of the eyes and absorbs, reflects, and perceives light. A dog affected by PRA-prcd therefore loses his ability to see clearly as the membrane deteriorates. This condition can be genetically tested for.
Primary Lens Luxation
Primary lens luxation (PLL) is a painful and potentially blinding inherited canine eye condition. Lens luxation occurs when the ligaments supporting the lens weaken, displacing it from its normal position. Signs of lens luxation may include red, teary, hazy, or cloudy, painful eyes. PLL can cause eye inflammation and glaucoma, particularly if the lens shifts forward into the eye. If left untreated, anterior (forward) lens luxation can lead to blindness and is treated as a medical emergency requiring prompt intervention. This condition can be genetically tested for.
Hyperuricosuria and hyperuricemia or urolithiasis
(HUU) is an uncommon, inherited condition that causes a substance called uric acid to build up in the blood (hyperuricemia) and urine (hyperuricosuria). This can lead to Urate stones (uroliths) forming in the kidneys and bladder. This condition can be genetically tested for.
Hypoglycemia
Small breeds are at risk for hypoglycemia. Yorkie puppies are especially sensitive and should be fed frequently. Signs of hypoglycemia may include:
Weaknesses, Lack of appetite, Disorientation, Tremors, Seizures.
Dental Disease.
About 80% of all dogs have some form of dental disease by the age of two. Unfortunately, Yorkshire terriers are even more likely to develop teeth issues than other dogs’ dental disease and it starts to begin with buildup on the teeth, which is why brushing is so important.
Patella Luxation
Small and toy breed dogs are significantly more prone to patellar luxation than larger breeds, with some studies indicating a 12-fold higher risk in smaller dogs.
Patellar luxation is a relatively common orthopedic condition in dogs, with some studies reporting it in approximately 7% of puppies under 12 months of age.
Patellar luxation is often diagnosed in dogs, with some studies showing a higher prevalence in dogs over 12 months of age. Yorkies are more likely to develop patellar luxation due to a combination of genetic predisposition and breed-specific anatomical variations, making them a target for preventative measures and early diagnosis
A significant portion of luxating patella cases in small breeds are medial patellar luxation (MPL), with studies suggesting that MPL accounts for 95-98% of PL cases in small breeds. Additionally, small breeds are generally more prone to patellar luxation than larger breeds, with some studies suggesting a 12-fold increase in risk
Tracheal Collapse
Tracheal collapse is a common condition among Yorkshire terriers. The percentage rate of collapse in small breeds is not explicitly stated, but it is noted that 97.2% of dogs will be diagnosed with tracheal collapse
Tracheal Collapse occurs when the trachea (windpipe) flattens. This happens due to a weakening of the trachea's C-shaped cartilage rings, which causes the muscle that connects the edges of the C to sag. Yorkshire Terriers are likely genetically predisposed to tracheal collapse.
Symptoms include a dry cough that may be worse when your Yorkie is active or gets excited. Most cases are treated using medications, but in severe cases where breathing is impeded, surgical intervention may be necessary.
Liver Shunt (Portosystemic Shunt)
The incidence of liver shunt in Yorkshire Terriers has been reported to be as high as 3%.
A liver shunt occurs when an abnormal connection between the blood vessels in or around the liver exists and blood bypasses (shunts) the liver. Because the blood doesn’t get filtered by the liver, toxins (like ammonia) build up in the bloodstream.
Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is one of the most severe and common Yorkie health problems on this list. It is caused by intense fat consumption and results in the pancreas inflaming. The condition can develop very slowly over a few months or spring upon you instantaneously.
Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis
Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis shows up in middle-aged Yorkies and we don’t know what causes it yet. The research is surface-level and hasn’t been able to pinpoint an exact reason. However, most specialists do generally agree that this condition is a response to bacteria. This lack of information is extremely harmful because the condition is one of the most serious Yorkie health problems on this list. If your dog gets it, it will dehydrate and die within 24 hours. Immediate medical attention is essential in saving your dog’s life when it comes to Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis.
Legg-Perthes Disease (LCPD)
lcpd is more commonly seen in small breeds such as the Yorkshire Terrier, with a prevalence of up to 16% in cases. This is an illness of the hip joint. When the bones in the hip area begin to get inadequate circulation of the blood, they become weaker and after time they collapse.
Legg Perthes can be caused also by a fall, knock or blow to the femur, the top of the hip bone in the rear legs, thereby impeding the blood flow and causing the degenerative bone disorder.
Because of these statistics we highly recommend pet insurance for your companion. We send home with free 30 days to get you started as some of these breed specific issues we do not cover.
*Sited from Cornell, pub med central, scientific archives, Dove medical press, national Institute of health, UTC scholars
PRA-prcd is a group of degenerative eye disorders causing blindness in both eyes over time. As its name implies, this blindness is caused by the gradual deterioration and loss of function in the retina and its photoreceptors: rods and cones. The membranous retina lines the back of the eyes and absorbs, reflects, and perceives light. A dog affected by PRA-prcd therefore loses his ability to see clearly as the membrane deteriorates. This condition can be genetically tested for.
Primary Lens Luxation
Primary lens luxation (PLL) is a painful and potentially blinding inherited canine eye condition. Lens luxation occurs when the ligaments supporting the lens weaken, displacing it from its normal position. Signs of lens luxation may include red, teary, hazy, or cloudy, painful eyes. PLL can cause eye inflammation and glaucoma, particularly if the lens shifts forward into the eye. If left untreated, anterior (forward) lens luxation can lead to blindness and is treated as a medical emergency requiring prompt intervention. This condition can be genetically tested for.
Hyperuricosuria and hyperuricemia or urolithiasis
(HUU) is an uncommon, inherited condition that causes a substance called uric acid to build up in the blood (hyperuricemia) and urine (hyperuricosuria). This can lead to Urate stones (uroliths) forming in the kidneys and bladder. This condition can be genetically tested for.
Hypoglycemia
Small breeds are at risk for hypoglycemia. Yorkie puppies are especially sensitive and should be fed frequently. Signs of hypoglycemia may include:
Weaknesses, Lack of appetite, Disorientation, Tremors, Seizures.
Dental Disease.
About 80% of all dogs have some form of dental disease by the age of two. Unfortunately, Yorkshire terriers are even more likely to develop teeth issues than other dogs’ dental disease and it starts to begin with buildup on the teeth, which is why brushing is so important.
Patella Luxation
Small and toy breed dogs are significantly more prone to patellar luxation than larger breeds, with some studies indicating a 12-fold higher risk in smaller dogs.
Patellar luxation is a relatively common orthopedic condition in dogs, with some studies reporting it in approximately 7% of puppies under 12 months of age.
Patellar luxation is often diagnosed in dogs, with some studies showing a higher prevalence in dogs over 12 months of age. Yorkies are more likely to develop patellar luxation due to a combination of genetic predisposition and breed-specific anatomical variations, making them a target for preventative measures and early diagnosis
A significant portion of luxating patella cases in small breeds are medial patellar luxation (MPL), with studies suggesting that MPL accounts for 95-98% of PL cases in small breeds. Additionally, small breeds are generally more prone to patellar luxation than larger breeds, with some studies suggesting a 12-fold increase in risk
Tracheal Collapse
Tracheal collapse is a common condition among Yorkshire terriers. The percentage rate of collapse in small breeds is not explicitly stated, but it is noted that 97.2% of dogs will be diagnosed with tracheal collapse
Tracheal Collapse occurs when the trachea (windpipe) flattens. This happens due to a weakening of the trachea's C-shaped cartilage rings, which causes the muscle that connects the edges of the C to sag. Yorkshire Terriers are likely genetically predisposed to tracheal collapse.
Symptoms include a dry cough that may be worse when your Yorkie is active or gets excited. Most cases are treated using medications, but in severe cases where breathing is impeded, surgical intervention may be necessary.
Liver Shunt (Portosystemic Shunt)
The incidence of liver shunt in Yorkshire Terriers has been reported to be as high as 3%.
A liver shunt occurs when an abnormal connection between the blood vessels in or around the liver exists and blood bypasses (shunts) the liver. Because the blood doesn’t get filtered by the liver, toxins (like ammonia) build up in the bloodstream.
Pancreatitis
Pancreatitis is one of the most severe and common Yorkie health problems on this list. It is caused by intense fat consumption and results in the pancreas inflaming. The condition can develop very slowly over a few months or spring upon you instantaneously.
Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis
Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis shows up in middle-aged Yorkies and we don’t know what causes it yet. The research is surface-level and hasn’t been able to pinpoint an exact reason. However, most specialists do generally agree that this condition is a response to bacteria. This lack of information is extremely harmful because the condition is one of the most serious Yorkie health problems on this list. If your dog gets it, it will dehydrate and die within 24 hours. Immediate medical attention is essential in saving your dog’s life when it comes to Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis.
Legg-Perthes Disease (LCPD)
lcpd is more commonly seen in small breeds such as the Yorkshire Terrier, with a prevalence of up to 16% in cases. This is an illness of the hip joint. When the bones in the hip area begin to get inadequate circulation of the blood, they become weaker and after time they collapse.
Legg Perthes can be caused also by a fall, knock or blow to the femur, the top of the hip bone in the rear legs, thereby impeding the blood flow and causing the degenerative bone disorder.
Because of these statistics we highly recommend pet insurance for your companion. We send home with free 30 days to get you started as some of these breed specific issues we do not cover.
*Sited from Cornell, pub med central, scientific archives, Dove medical press, national Institute of health, UTC scholars