Tiny Rescue - "Teacup" Health Concerns

[Zaya]

Hello Everyone!

This being my first post, I feel I should thank everyone for the wonderful resource. I've spent many hours on here just reading and getting to know everyone before jumping in to post. Thanks for having me!

I'm in the process of adopting a pup that's actually not a purebred Yorkie (hope I'm still welcome?). She was born at the shelter to a blonde Yorkie mom (I'll attach a pic of the mom with her litter), and her dad is assumed to be a Pomeranian... but of course no one knows for sure.

She's four months old at this point and weighs in at all of 2.2 lbs. Her "expected" weight as an adult is projected at under 3 lbs by the rescue. She's battled her share of health problems already -- hospitalized for hypoglycemia more than once from what I know. I realize she's a fragile little thing and intend on taking great care of her, I'm an experienced dog owner and have a calm home with no children who'll play rough, just a very friendly Cavalier to keep her company.

Now, the reason I'm posting this is because after browsing some online resources, I've come to realize that apparently, "teacup"/tiny Yorkies (and all dogs under 3-4 lbs in general) are considered high risk for all sorts of health problems. In fact, I keep seeing everywhere that their lifespans are considerably shorter (some only 2 years or so?!), their organs aren't fully developed, and it goes on from there...

I'm sort of slightly panicked right now as a result. I don't even have this pup yet, but I'm deathly afraid of raising her, falling in love with her, taking good care of her, only to lose her a year later because she's simply too tiny to live a decent life.

Reason I'm posting is to see if there are any tiny Yorkie parents on here (under 4 lbs adult weight) who have healthy dogs, or know dogs that small that have lived long, happy lives. I guess I just need some reassurance and/or words of encouragement so I snap out of this "funk" I'm in.

Thanks very much for reading!

[Zaya]

Sorry, forgot to attach a pic of the mom with the litter. I'll attach one of the little girl herself, as well -- can't tell you how much I love her already!!

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[intilis]

Hello & welcome to YT... glad you are out of hiding lol! I know you must be on pins & needles waiting to welcome your little one, please post pics once she arrives! While I've heard of many "tinys" with health issues, many are perfectly healthy. My little 2.5# Ricky (RIP), spent his first 8 years as a puppymill "stud". We were blessed to have him in our lives for his final 10 years. Yes, he lived to be 18!! Good luck with your sweet little girl!

[Deb1]

Congratulation! Yes, the smaller yorkies can have their share of health concerns, but so can any dog. I have small yorkies and they are pretty healthy. One I had for 10 years and she was rarely sick. She weighted right around 31/2 - 4lbs. When she did get sick she lost weight quickly. You just need to be aware that when they are sick to get them to the vet, ASAP! Best wishes for a happy and healthy puppy!

[yorkiemini]

WELCOME!
My first Yorkie was barely 3 pounds and had a number of health issues but lived a great life for 11 years eventually dying due to kidney failure.

My current Yorkie is just barely over 3 pounds and is 5 years old. She, however, was a carefully bred Yorkie who is in excellent health.

The smaller Yorkies are more susceptible to injury due to their size and bones but from the description of you home you have a great environment. I think their health is all about the genes and how they are cared for. Yes, they are more fragile, but if healthy can live long and healthy lives. My current little girl even does agility ( at her own pace, of course),

[yorkiemini]

I should add the tinies have very little tolerance for dehydration, hyperglycemia, diarrhea, vomiting and such so those issues need to be address immediately - not on a wait and see basis.

Good luck and welcome to the Yorkie world. Look forward to hearing more about your baby!

[Wylie's Mom]

Hi and WELCOME to YT ! So glad you came out of hiding to post! And of course you're welcome even though this kiddo isn't fully yorkie . All are welcome here!

Some of what you're hearing is true, but a lot of it is not, so try not to let the bad stuff get to you too much. Hypoglycemia is indeed common to yorkie pups, but they do tend to grow out of this as they grow out of puppyhood.

With the wee ones, there are always general safety concerns like heights, being underfoot, falls etcetera - but all of those can be mitigated (have her wear a bell, get doggy stairs...) and you'll just have to be more careful w/ her in general bc of a vulnerable size.

But as far as organs not developing - that's just not the case AT ALL unless there is something actually wrong her physiologically / developmentally / genetically - and size does not determine that.

That said, yorkies *are* prone to hypoglycemia, LP (luxating patellas), liver shunt and a few other things. You'd want a vet to thoroughly check her knees...and even if they feel fine now, there could be problems later - BUT as long as they feel fine now - I'd get Pet Insurance ASAP bc if something goes wrong later, you'd be covered! I'd get a full blood panel on her to assess liver/kidney function especially...liver shunt can be a very tough reality in these very small ones...so def check for that bc that's a big deal and very expensive.

I have 3 yorkies, btw, and my biggest one is about 8 lbs - and he has FAR more health issues than my 2 smaller ones, who are around 4 pounds. So, size doesn't discriminate or determine (on its own) issues.

Best of luck w/ your decision - just know that as long as she has good general health - you can do this! But I'll stress again - get health insurance on her right away, before she develops any pre-existing conditions. I have Healthy Paws Insurance and think they're great!

[pagonzal]

Originally Posted by Zaya

Sorry, forgot to attach a pic of the mom with the litter. I'll attach one of the little girl herself, as well -- can't tell you how much I love her already!!

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Attachment 399391

She is a cutie!

[joyce evans]

Awe...so cute! I do not have a tiny but you could consider pet insurance and or saving just in case. Many of us have experienced health issues with our not so Tiny's . Care Credit is another great option. Good Luck and welcome to YT!

[Zaya]

Wanted to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your wonderful replies; they mean more to me than I can say! We finally have the little girl in our care... the rescue agreed to release her to us unspayed if we bring her back for a spay once she's reached 2 lbs.

They did a blood test on her before releasing her to us and found that she has signs of a liver shunt already, even at her young age. Looks like we'll have to have her on a special diet and pray that she still has a good life.

We may consider surgery down the line when she's a bit older and tiny bit bigger in size. In the meantime, we'll do our best to help her little body develop best it can. Thank you again for your feedback.

[MauiGirl]

Hi and Welcome to Yorkie Talk. Your little girl is simply adorable. She looks a lot like my 2 Morkies (Maltese/Yorkie mix).

I'm sorry it looks like she may have a liver disorder, but happy to know that you understand whatever it is, it can be treated. My Yorkie Tiki was thought to have a liver shunt at 7 months, and it turned out she did not. They suspect she has MVD instead, and has done just fine with the proper diet and she just turned 6.

Here is a great brochure about liver disorders to give you a bit more understanding: http://www.vet.utk.edu/clinical/sacs...NAL-201304.pdf