Are Yorkies Prone to Health Problems...

[Elaine Benise]

moreso than other breeds?

I have never had a Yorkie but I have one on the way. I have been reading up on the breed to the point of obsession (how embarrassing). This is the first time I've ever joined a pet discussion group. So maybe it's just the venue but it seems like there are a LOT of Yorkies with health issues from LP to hip problems to hypoglycemia.

I realize all breeds have their own issues but are Yorkies really THAT prone to problems?? It's sort of scaring me. Not that I would ever turn my back on my Lolly, I just worry!!!

(sorry if this post is in the wrong place. I have read everything I could on here but just wanted to hear from posters.)

[Karrie]

Oh, I know exactly where you're coming from. It seems that the potential health issues are overwhelming. I constantly worried about Bailey's health the first year as most serious health issues are discovered then.

I'm happy to say that Bailey is now 2 yo and not a single ailment affects her - other than a scare with LP when she was 8 mos old - but that turned out to be nothing (so far- knock on wood!).

This is where ppl come to get answers - so it seems that health issues are abundant. However, considering that yorkies are the 2nd most registered dog per the AKC -there are a lot of them out there.

The best advice I have - and others will say the same - do your homework on the breeder to lessen the possibility of any serious issues.

Good luck and welcome to YT - glad to have ya!!

[Ladymom]

Yorkies, like all purebred dogs, are prone to certain genetic conditions. It is essential to buy a puppy from a reputable breeder who does genetic screening and health tests all her dogs before breeding them. By health testing, I don't mean a routine physical by the vet, but specific testing to make sure the dogs aren't carriers of conditions like luxating patellas or a liver shunt. A breeder should be able to show you proof that the puppy's parents had their knees checked and had bile acids tests for liver liver disease.

Liver shunts are an epidemic in today's Yorkies. Yorkies are now thirty-six times more likely to have a liver shunt than all other breeds combined. Surgery to correct shunts runs into the thousands and that does not include the cost of test to make the diagnosis.

All prospective Yorkie parents should insist to see the results of bile acids tests on both parents and have the puppy bile acid tested at 20 weeks. Make sure your contract is clear about the breeder's responsibility if the puppy does have a shunt. Will she pay the vet bills up to the cost of the puppy?

[kidmuzicdotcom]

My Shelby Rae has always been healthy never a problem and I've had her since she was 12weeks old she is 8 now...and our little Kaylee so far is as healthy as a horse...so not every yorkie has issues just like not every human has issues..

[Nancy1999]

Unfortunately because of their popularity, many people are breeding yorkies who have no business breeding. They are breeding solely for the purpose of making money and not for the purpose of bettering the breed. You see all the time on Yorkietalk, people buy a pet, and decide to breed it to recoup some of their initial investment. Breeding domesticated animals is not the same as an animal breeding in the wild, and once humans step in, they should have some training, but unfortunately most do not. If your breeder didn't do any health screening, and can't thoroughly discuss the genetic issues with you, I would look for a different breeder. You don't know how attached you will become to this dog in a couple of years, when many of the genetic issues show up. Bad breeders often give breeding rights when they sell, and this again leads to more breeding of unhealthy dogs.

[phfgkl]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

Unfortunately because of their popularity, many people are breeding yorkies who have no business breeding. They are breeding solely for the purpose of making money and not for the purpose of bettering the breed. You see all the time on Yorkietalk, people buy a pet, and decide to breed it to recoup some of their initial investment. Breeding domesticated animals is not the same as an animal breeding in the wild, and once humans step in, they should have some training, but unfortunately most do not. If your breeder didn't do any health screening, and can't thoroughly discuss the genetic issues with you, I would look for a different breeder. You don't know how attached you will become to this dog in a couple of years, when many of the genetic issues show up. Bad breeders often give breeding rights when they sell, and this again leads to more breeding of unhealthy dogs.

[Elaine Benise]

She does offer a health guarantee - I wouldn't have accepted her otherwise. But what does that even mean?? Does that hold up if something really goes wrong??

[Ladymom]

Originally Posted by Elaine Benise

She does offer a health guarantee - I wouldn't have accepted her otherwise. But what does that even mean?? Does that hold up if something really goes wrong??

What does her health guarantee say? Most only offer a replacement puppy within a specified period of time. That would be impossibly heartbreaking!

You want to make sure you start with a healthy puppy. What health testing have the parents had? Have they both been bile acid tested?

[Elaine Benise]

Originally Posted by Ladymom

What does her health guarantee say? Most only offer a replacement puppy within a specified period of time. That would be impossibly heartbreaking!

You want to make sure you start with a healthy puppy. What health testing have the parents had? Have they both been bile acid tested?

See... now I feel like a big idiot!! I don't know!!!! And I don't want a replacement puppy!! I'm so naive right now! But I really want to do everything the right way!

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by Elaine Benise

She does offer a health guarantee - I wouldn't have accepted her otherwise. But what does that even mean?? Does that hold up if something really goes wrong??

You need to ask her about the guarantee, most will just give you a new puppy, if you prove to them it was a genetic disease, but this isn't always that easy. Some diseases like Luxating Patella, can be brought on by trauma, so the breeder won't cover it, however when a year old dog has stage 3 LP, you can be pretty sure it was genetic but most breeders won't listen to your vet, they want their vet to test the dog, and this often means flying the dog back to their vet, and then the most you get is a new dog, but you don't want a new dog, you want money to help cover the cost of the $3,000 surgery, which if your dog doesn't get, it will become severely crippled, and in constant pain. The better breeders do have guarantees that allow you to get the up to the purchase price back if your dog needs surgery to cover a genetic disease, and this is for the life of the dog.

[Elaine Benise]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

You need to ask her about the guarantee, most will just give you a new puppy, if you prove to them it was a genetic disease, but this isn't always that easy. Some diseases like Luxating Patella, can be brought on by trauma, so the breeder won't cover it, however when a year old dog has stage 3 LP, you can be pretty sure it was genetic but most breeders won't listen to your vet, they want their vet to test the dog, and this often means flying the dog back to their vet, and then the most you get is a new dog, but you don't want a new dog, you want money to help cover the cost of the $3,000 surgery, which if your dog doesn't get, it will become severely crippled, and in constant pain. The better breeders do have guarantees that allow you to get the up to the purchase price back if your dog needs surgery to cover a genetic disease, and this is for the life of the dog.

Thank you for the info. I have been talking with her in-depth and just left a message today regarding any health issues, especially LP and hypoglycemia. She has been very forth-coming so far. I even googled her and didn't find anything. But still, that doesn't guarantee she is reputable... She did offer references, which I called, but who is to say these people aren't her sister and brother and just saying what she asks them to say??? This is how worried I am!! NOT because of her but because I've been reading SO much and I think I'm a hypochondriac of a dog-buyer!

[Ladymom]

Originally Posted by Elaine Benise

See... now I feel like a big idiot!! I don't know!!!! And I don't want a replacement puppy!! I'm so naive right now! But I really want to do everything the right way!

Here is a good link that explains how to find a reputable breeder:

How To Buy A Puppy

Always make sure you check the USDA "puppymill" list and make sure your breeder's name isn't on it:

http://www.prisonersofgreed.org/ListA2006.pdf

Check the list of AKC suspensions:

AKC suspension index

Also check the Better Business Bureau and Rip Off Reports for complaints against the breeder.

Ask to see the puppy's pedigree before buying.

Ask to see a copy of the contract.

Make sure the puppy can be registered with the AKC and not one of the "alternative" registries whose papers mean nothing.

Ask to see proof that the parents have had bile acids tests, knees checked, thyroid panels, etc.

Don't be shy about asking these questions. If you are dealing with a reputable breeder, she will ask you lots of questions, too, to make sure the puppy is going to a good home. Beware of breeders who have a "don't ask, don't tell" policy. They are only in it for profit.

[Ladymom]

Originally Posted by Elaine Benise

Thank you for the info. I have been talking with her in-depth and just left a message today regarding any health issues, especially LP and hypoglycemia. She has been very forth-coming so far. I even googled her and didn't find anything. But still, that doesn't guarantee she is reputable... She did offer references, which I called, but who is to say these people aren't her sister and brother and just saying what she asks them to say??? This is how worried I am!! NOT because of her but because I've been reading SO much and I think I'm a hypochondriac of a dog-buyer!

Hypoglycemia isn't genetic. It's low blood sugar. If your breeder is following the Yorkshire Terrier Association of America's rules, she keeps her puppies until they are 12 weeks old so it shouldn't be a terrible problem if you make sure your puppy eats regularly.

Absolutely ask about liver disease and shunts. That should be your first health question. Beware of any breeder who dismisses you and claims she doesn't have it in her lines. As I posted above, Yorkies are 36 times more likely have to have liver shunts than all other breeds combined. Ask her if the puppy's parents have had bile acid tests and get copies of the results. Anything over 25 is abnormal. Your breeder should be very knowledgable about liver disease in Yorkies and be able to discuss with you what steps she has taken to make sure your puppy doesn't have a shunt.

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by Ladymom

Hypoglycemia isn't genetic. It's low blood sugar. If your breeder is following the Yorkshire Terrier Association of America's rules, she keeps her puppies until they are 12 weeks old so it shouldn't be a terrible problem if you make sure your puppy eats regularly.

Absolutely ask about liver disease and shunts. That should be your first health question. Beware of any breeder who dismisses you and claims she doesn't have it in her lines. As I posted above, Yorkies are 36 times more likely have to have liver shunts than all other breeds combined. Ask her if the puppy's parents have had bile acid tests and get copies of the results. Anything over 25 is abnormal. Your breeder should be very knowledgable about liver disease in Yorkies and be able to discuss with you what steps she has taken to make sure your puppy doesn't have a shunt.

Good post. I agree hypoglycemia, is just low blood sugar, I get this from time to time, it serious on a small dog because they can go down hill rapidly, and you must be aware of the condition and how to treat it. Most outgrow it, and free feeding can usually prevent it. I also think it would help to talk to her vet, to see if he's found Luxating Patella (LP) in the adult breeding pair, this is a joint problem, and also to see if the have had bile acid test for Liver Shunts. If she wont' give you the name of her vet, I would look elsewhere for sure.

[chachi]

I dont think they are any more than any other small breed