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11-09-2008, 07:53 AM | #1 |
♥ Luv My Lil' M&M ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: USA
Posts: 1,572
| Worry Wart I have wanted a yorkie for a very long time. I have been on YT for a little over a month. For a few months before I even found YT, I have been researching the breed/breeders. In the past week or two, I have started having doubts. I keep reading posts about how much care, and matinence they need. The thousands in vet bills they MAY need. In one post someone basically said "if you can't afford the thousands in vet bills that MAY come up, then shouldn't get a yorkie". We can't afford the thousand in vet bills that may come up. So...it's started me worrying (I'm a worry wart). I talked this over with my husband, here's his opinion of the situation: " If I can raise two kids, I can raise a yorkie. Kids need constant care and matinence. I am a stay at home mom, so I could give it what it needs. As far as the vet bills go, we can arrord the basic vet needs, food, toys, etc...If something should come up that runs up a big vet bill, we would figure it out. If, God forbid something happened to Cierra or Tyler (my skin kids) would you come up with a way to pay the bill, or would you just give him/her up, and get rid of him/her?" So, after talking to him about it, I feel a little better. I just feel like I'm going to mess up somehow, and worry somethings going to happen to cause a huge vet bill. I didn't worry this much when I was expecting my first child. I just want to make sure I do the right thing. Your opinions would be greatly appreciated!!
__________________ Angie Madison Chance Our Future Baby Tatum |
Welcome Guest! | |
11-09-2008, 08:15 AM | #2 |
Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Havre de Grace, MD
Posts: 1,536
| I like your husband's attitude. I'm a guy, so not to worry. Vet insurance is an option, although it doesn't cover congenital problems. Squirt's 12 year old, and only expense has been for shots. Gus is 1 year old, with a frequent urination/thirst problem. So, far expensives have been associated with blood tests, urinalyses, and worming. I do have vet insurance for Gus. I say go for it. Just buy from a reputable breeder.
__________________ Niko (3 yrs) Gus (5 yrs) Squirt (17 yrs - RIP) Last edited by bildio; 11-09-2008 at 08:16 AM. |
11-09-2008, 08:22 AM | #3 |
Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: In my house :)
Posts: 5,219
| I like the way you and your husband think...you have a good handle on the situation. Yes, there are Yorkies who do need constant vet care, my first one was like that, but we did everything we could to ensure he got the care he needed no matter the expense. If you go into it with that attitude you'll be just fine. Sometimes there is too much hype that surrounds the Yorkie breed and there are bad breeders who fuel the fire. But the reality of the situation is...you can run into very high vet bills with any breed...just take your time and find a good, reputable breeder and enjoy your Yorkie when you find it. |
11-09-2008, 12:18 PM | #4 |
YT Addict Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Schweinfurt, Bayern, Germany
Posts: 432
| Hey, I would say that you guys are right on the ball. No matter what kind of Dog you have or if you have children, emergencies do arise. Most pure breed's have histories of certain issues. With some of the lareger breeds its hip problems. But if you find a good breeder with "good stock" then it will be a whole lot less likely to happen. I'm glad you guys are responsible owners and thinking about these things before bringing a pup into your lives. props too you! |
11-09-2008, 12:53 PM | #5 | |
Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: North Carolina
Posts: 8,317
| Quote:
Purebred dogs are much more likely to have genetic conditions because the gene pool is so small. For instance, Yorkies are 36 times more likely to have a liver shunt than all other breeds combined. Testing and surgery for a shunt easily runs into the thousands. The key is to get a puppy from a reputable breeder who screens her breeding dogs for health problems and is very knowledgable about genetics. That narrows your choice of breeders considerably. I would only get a puppy from a breeder on the YTCA breeder list or from a breeder recommended by one of those breeders. Yorkshire Terrier Club of America About The Club Even a healthy dog can rack up big vet bills. Toy breed dogs can dehydrate quickly from vomiting and diarrhea form a "simple" tummy upset. Often hospitalization with an IV is required. Dogs get into garbage or are fed fatty table food and have a bout with pancreatitis. A co-worker's Yorkie recently had a close to $2,000 vet bill when her dad slipped Sugar a little piece of ham from the holiday table. Senior dogs can really rack up vet bills as most develop conditions that need monitoring and medications. Don't forget to plan long term. If you will be putting a child through college or expect to have a family and big day care expenses when your dog is a senior, that should be considered. It is always important to have a savings account set up for unexpected vet bills because they will happen. Emergency vets always require payment at the time of service as do most vets. Some regular vets will set you up on a payment plan, but many will only suggest Care Credit. Here is a good (and conservative IMO) estimate of the cost of owning a dog: The Cost of Owning a Dog | |
11-09-2008, 12:59 PM | #6 |
Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Southern Calif
Posts: 877
| You sound like you will make a great Yorkiemom! Knowledge is the best defense and they are such a joy to have. Good luck in your search for your new baby!
__________________ My belongs to Molly, Princeton and Pinky http://www.onetruemedia.com/shared?p...edium=text_url |
11-09-2008, 02:25 PM | #7 |
♥ Luv My Lil' M&M ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: USA
Posts: 1,572
| Thank you all for your support, I feel alot better hearing from you guys with the experience of owning yorkies.
__________________ Angie Madison Chance Our Future Baby Tatum |
11-09-2008, 02:48 PM | #8 |
Love my little flowers Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: In Gorgeous Montana!!!
Posts: 4,499
| Hi and Welcome to YT!!!!! I think you're being very responsible..and your husband is completely right!!!! My yorkie is very healthy...only cost me shots and worming so far....she's almost a year old! NOT ALL yorkies have health issues..although I do agree TRY to find a reputable breeder.... Also find a GOOD vet....mine is very kewl...if we were to have any serious problems he would work with us on the bill. And let us make payments! Like someone else said ANY pure breed can have issues...but it's more common to have a healthy one instead of a sick one. good luck!!
__________________ Tam Flower babies: Daizy Mae and Tulip Petals RIP Honey Rose & Jasmine |
11-09-2008, 05:29 PM | #9 |
Currently Suspended! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Canada
Posts: 2,275
| You guys sound like you are ready for a pup! For years I wanted to own a yorkie also. I thought they were so adorable, I loved their look, what I read about them I fell in love with and I thought this was the dog for me. I wanted a dog that would sit on my lap and be cuddly. They sure are like little babies. I made a bad choice and "thought" I was making the right one when I bought my yorkie. I believed someone and was lied too. My yorkie is so far going to cost me about 2,500$ in the next little while, on top of 500$ worth of testing because she turned out to have a seizure. Also you need to do alot of research on the different foods you can feed them. They are alot of work, and COULD cost you alot like me but I can tell you that you will love your little pup so much and fall in love so fast that you won't care. I feel like I have another child now! good luck on finding a pup, I've seen some VERY cute ones for sale on YT. You should check it out! |
11-09-2008, 06:33 PM | #10 | |
♥ Luv My Lil' M&M ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: USA
Posts: 1,572
| Quote:
I'm real sorry about your baby!! I hope everything turns out okay!!
__________________ Angie Madison Chance Our Future Baby Tatum | |
11-09-2008, 09:14 PM | #11 |
YT Addict Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: WV
Posts: 309
| What are they doing about the seizures? My poodle had them for years and she lived to be 19 years old. My vet said "the seizures were harder on me than her because she didn't really realize she was having them"?? She took pills everyday for years but she did fine until she got old and then I had to have her put to sleep finally. |
11-09-2008, 09:38 PM | #12 |
YT Addict Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Michigan
Posts: 299
| I found this insurance that claims to cover hereditary conditions. I haven't signed up for it yet, but I wish I'd had it when Lucy broke her neck. It would have covered her luxating patellas as well. The Petplan USA Pet Insurance Advantage Last edited by majic50; 11-09-2008 at 09:40 PM. |
11-09-2008, 09:46 PM | #13 |
YT Addict Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: WV
Posts: 309
| Oh my how did she break her neck!!! Poor baby!! |
11-09-2008, 09:57 PM | #14 |
YT Addict Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Michigan
Posts: 299
| She was under the covers on the bed and my grandson fell on her. She recovered very well, but then she died of congestive heart failure in September. It could have been neuroligical, since a pin in her neck had broken off and moved. In the xray it was hard to tell if it was inside or outside the skull. She was a very special baby. She went through a lot in her short life. She would be 2 the end of this month. She was a therapy dog. The first picture is her before the accident. The 2nd was taken as she was recovering and the 3rd was taken the day she died. |
11-10-2008, 10:49 AM | #15 |
Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: TX
Posts: 3,358
| Keep researching and find a good breeder, starting out with a healthy Yorkie is the best way to avoid many medical problems. And as has been stated, there are always possibilities of medical issues with any type of pet. When you get one, lavish all the love you can muster, do your very best to feed and care for him, chances are you will have a long, uneventful and very happy life together. And stay out of the Sick and Injury board, if you are a worrier this board will only feed that. I rarely can go there, it's still too soon from loosing my little Annie. I simply say a prayer every time I come onto YT for all the people dealing with Yorkie health problems.
__________________ If you think dogs can't count, put 3 biscuits in your pocket, then give him only 2. Gracie Ruth & Boo & Yogi & RIP Annie B. & Bonnie Lane |
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