Question on Yorkie Health - YorkieTalk.com Forums

danna · 12-07-2005, 10:06 AM

Okay several questions here, hopefully someone can help.
First time Potential Yorkie mom!
I have a Great Dane, Malamute and Hound X. After my grandfathers passing I found my calling in Dog Partners for Therapy. Unfortunately none of my dogs fit the personality profile for therapy work so that inspired me to look for another adoptee. I was intrigued by Yorkies because of my grandfathers love of the breed.
I have found and am "interviewing" a 4 year old un-spayed bitch. She weaned her puppies 5 days ago and has been with me for 2 days. I will have her spayed and get her teeth cleaned if she fits the profile. I have her for a week to two weeks to see how she fits in and if she will work.
Being unfamiliar with the Yorkie breed (I am doing research though of course) I have found a couple of things slightly unsettling and need to know if it is normal or do I need to be concerned:
1. She has somewhat wheepy eyes. (I have been cleaning her muzzle with a washcloth and grooming her muzzle hair to keep hair out of eyes.) Is this something that should concern me?
2. She is going through what seems like post-partum depression. Running around to different rooms constantly looking for something. Is there anything I can do to help ease her pain of giving up her pups?
3. It is incredibly hard to tell when and if she has gone to the bathroom. Of course, me having 3 giant dogs I'm used to some big time potties. The breeder who had her let all her yorkies use paper or outside if they want. I have tried paper and the great outdoors. Now this is going to sound bad, but I haven't actually seen her go to the bathroom once since I've had her. She is with me constantly and I give her every opportunity. I watch closely. Is it that hard to tell?

She is eating and drinking normally by the way.
4. I am letting her sleep on the bed with me, my husband and my great dane. Is this a bad thing to do with a yorkie? I don't allow my other 2 dogs to sleep on the bed because of dominance displays.
I would greatly, greatly appreciate any advice on these questions. Please e-mail or post a reply. The breeder who gave her to me is unavailable right now because her husband has been on active duty over seas and just came home.
Thank you so very much.
Danna

danna · 12-07-2005, 12:54 PM

Okay I'm so sorry for all the questions, but I do have one more.
Are there any special treats I should try? She will eat her food 'Solid Gold' if I add wet food, but she has not accepted any treats!
I've tried chicken, biscuits, bread. I don't want to get her hooked on people food but to train her I do need her to accept treats.
Any ideas?
Thanks

YorkieRose · 12-07-2005, 01:50 PM

Her pups are only 5 days weaned...why the rush for the breeder to place her? How sad!!
This is cruel. She needs time and love to adjust to very bad situation.
She is stressed to the max right now...slow down and expect nothing from her..allow her to recover from the care and whelping of her puppies. Once she is recovered then you can concentrate on training.

A few months..have her spayed, tear ducts flushed to prevent future tearing.

danna · 12-07-2005, 02:17 PM

I will give her time thank you. I'm being patient and loving her every minute.
She comes to work with me (I have a crate and bed for her). She just threw up in her crate. First chunky and then watery. I think I'm going to have to stop giving her the wet food. That is the only change that has occurred with feeding. This still concerns me very much though.
I am so very concerned for this poor little thing.
Her story is as follows:
Bred from a Champion by a breeder in Washington. Purchased by another breeder in Washington and shown briefly. Bred once at age 2. Bred again and then her owner was diagnosed with breast cancer and had to go through some intense treatments. She asked her friend (another breeder) down here in Oregon if she would be willing to take her dogs while she goes through this time. Unfortunately she will be unable to reclaim the dogs it seems. So this breeder picked up the dogs and brought them down. Ivie (this Yorkie) had her pups 8 weeks ago but was incredibly attached to them. She was finally taken off her pups 6 days ago so that the puppies could go to their new homes. They do not want her to breed anymore - they just want her to have a loving, happy life.
I may be able to provide that if she comes around and shows us that she has the temperment and strength to be a therapy dog.
Have to admit I hope she does.

YorkieRose · 12-07-2005, 02:24 PM

I have no doubt you are caring for her very well ...and yes, you are right some situations make it impossible.
It crossed my midn illness might be involved..so forgive me for not asking for more info before posting my thoughts....it is sad to see them grieve for puppies.
I would let her eat the dry..is she totally dried up of milk..if not, she needs to dry up , then you can concentrate on her other areas...I hope she works out for you..once her hormones are settled, I bet she will be a great pet..Yorkies do well as therapy dogs. Best of luck

danna · 12-07-2005, 02:46 PM

She is almost completely dried up. But it's funny - if you make a squeeky noise she goes running from room to room. I think she is looking for the pups. What a devoted mommy!
I'm going to go buy some wee pads because my husband will not stand to have a dog around that pees on the carpet. He is a big dog man and this whole little dog thing is foreign to him. Since I haven't actually seen her go pee outside I have to worry that she might be doing it in the house. I'm praying that she'll see the light and come around.

YorkieRose · 12-07-2005, 03:44 PM

You might try "parlor panites" until she is trained..it will keep your carpets from smelling like her favorite spot to pee. If she has lived in a group or kennel it will take time.
Keep us up to date on her...what is her name?

danna · 12-07-2005, 06:48 PM

Her name is "Ivie". She has had lots of names!
I took her out every 2 hours today while at work and she wouldn't go. Then, the worst, she pee'd in the office. And there was lots of it. So she must have been holding for quite some time. I was not encouraged by this.
If she cannot be potty trained than she cannot join the therapy program.

I'm trying my best to stay positive - but we'll see.
I really like her but I also want what is best for her.
I will have to get her spayed and have a thorough teeth cleaning done if I adopt her. My vet wants $400 total to do these procedures. I know that it sounds petty to discuss monetary woes during this period but it is a concern. Her teeth are very bad.
I've only had her 2 days and I'm trying to be patient and not make decisions in the heat of the moment.

12-07-2005, 10:06 AM	#1
danna YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: nowhere Posts: 8	Question on Yorkie Health Okay several questions here, hopefully someone can help. First time Potential Yorkie mom! I have a Great Dane, Malamute and Hound X. After my grandfathers passing I found my calling in Dog Partners for Therapy. Unfortunately none of my dogs fit the personality profile for therapy work so that inspired me to look for another adoptee. I was intrigued by Yorkies because of my grandfathers love of the breed. I have found and am "interviewing" a 4 year old un-spayed bitch. She weaned her puppies 5 days ago and has been with me for 2 days. I will have her spayed and get her teeth cleaned if she fits the profile. I have her for a week to two weeks to see how she fits in and if she will work. Being unfamiliar with the Yorkie breed (I am doing research though of course) I have found a couple of things slightly unsettling and need to know if it is normal or do I need to be concerned: 1. She has somewhat wheepy eyes. (I have been cleaning her muzzle with a washcloth and grooming her muzzle hair to keep hair out of eyes.) Is this something that should concern me? 2. She is going through what seems like post-partum depression. Running around to different rooms constantly looking for something. Is there anything I can do to help ease her pain of giving up her pups? 3. It is incredibly hard to tell when and if she has gone to the bathroom. Of course, me having 3 giant dogs I'm used to some big time potties. The breeder who had her let all her yorkies use paper or outside if they want. I have tried paper and the great outdoors. Now this is going to sound bad, but I haven't actually seen her go to the bathroom once since I've had her. She is with me constantly and I give her every opportunity. I watch closely. Is it that hard to tell? She is eating and drinking normally by the way. 4. I am letting her sleep on the bed with me, my husband and my great dane. Is this a bad thing to do with a yorkie? I don't allow my other 2 dogs to sleep on the bed because of dominance displays. I would greatly, greatly appreciate any advice on these questions. Please e-mail or post a reply. The breeder who gave her to me is unavailable right now because her husband has been on active duty over seas and just came home. Thank you so very much. Danna

12-07-2005, 12:54 PM	#2
danna YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: nowhere Posts: 8	One more question Okay I'm so sorry for all the questions, but I do have one more. Are there any special treats I should try? She will eat her food 'Solid Gold' if I add wet food, but she has not accepted any treats! I've tried chicken, biscuits, bread. I don't want to get her hooked on people food but to train her I do need her to accept treats. Any ideas? Thanks

12-07-2005, 01:50 PM	#3
YorkieRose No Longer a Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: South Florida Posts: 8,577	Yorkie Her pups are only 5 days weaned...why the rush for the breeder to place her? How sad!! This is cruel. She needs time and love to adjust to very bad situation. She is stressed to the max right now...slow down and expect nothing from her..allow her to recover from the care and whelping of her puppies. Once she is recovered then you can concentrate on training. A few months..have her spayed, tear ducts flushed to prevent future tearing.

12-07-2005, 02:17 PM	#4
danna YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: nowhere Posts: 8	Vomited I will give her time thank you. I'm being patient and loving her every minute. She comes to work with me (I have a crate and bed for her). She just threw up in her crate. First chunky and then watery. I think I'm going to have to stop giving her the wet food. That is the only change that has occurred with feeding. This still concerns me very much though. I am so very concerned for this poor little thing. Her story is as follows: Bred from a Champion by a breeder in Washington. Purchased by another breeder in Washington and shown briefly. Bred once at age 2. Bred again and then her owner was diagnosed with breast cancer and had to go through some intense treatments. She asked her friend (another breeder) down here in Oregon if she would be willing to take her dogs while she goes through this time. Unfortunately she will be unable to reclaim the dogs it seems. So this breeder picked up the dogs and brought them down. Ivie (this Yorkie) had her pups 8 weeks ago but was incredibly attached to them. She was finally taken off her pups 6 days ago so that the puppies could go to their new homes. They do not want her to breed anymore - they just want her to have a loving, happy life. I may be able to provide that if she comes around and shows us that she has the temperment and strength to be a therapy dog. Have to admit I hope she does.

12-07-2005, 02:24 PM	#5
YorkieRose No Longer a Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: South Florida Posts: 8,577	yorkie I have no doubt you are caring for her very well ...and yes, you are right some situations make it impossible. It crossed my midn illness might be involved..so forgive me for not asking for more info before posting my thoughts....it is sad to see them grieve for puppies. I would let her eat the dry..is she totally dried up of milk..if not, she needs to dry up , then you can concentrate on her other areas...I hope she works out for you..once her hormones are settled, I bet she will be a great pet..Yorkies do well as therapy dogs. Best of luck

12-07-2005, 02:46 PM	#6
danna YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: nowhere Posts: 8	She is almost completely dried up. But it's funny - if you make a squeeky noise she goes running from room to room. I think she is looking for the pups. What a devoted mommy! I'm going to go buy some wee pads because my husband will not stand to have a dog around that pees on the carpet. He is a big dog man and this whole little dog thing is foreign to him. Since I haven't actually seen her go pee outside I have to worry that she might be doing it in the house. I'm praying that she'll see the light and come around.

12-07-2005, 03:44 PM	#7
YorkieRose No Longer a Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: South Florida Posts: 8,577	training You might try "parlor panites" until she is trained..it will keep your carpets from smelling like her favorite spot to pee. If she has lived in a group or kennel it will take time. Keep us up to date on her...what is her name?

12-07-2005, 06:48 PM	#8
danna YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: nowhere Posts: 8	Her Name Her name is "Ivie". She has had lots of names! I took her out every 2 hours today while at work and she wouldn't go. Then, the worst, she pee'd in the office. And there was lots of it. So she must have been holding for quite some time. I was not encouraged by this. If she cannot be potty trained than she cannot join the therapy program. I'm trying my best to stay positive - but we'll see. I really like her but I also want what is best for her. I will have to get her spayed and have a thorough teeth cleaning done if I adopt her. My vet wants $400 total to do these procedures. I know that it sounds petty to discuss monetary woes during this period but it is a concern. Her teeth are very bad. I've only had her 2 days and I'm trying to be patient and not make decisions in the heat of the moment.