[PennysMum]

Is there an AKC yorkie club in your area? That might be a good place to ask for recommendations of doctors who are particularly good with the breed.

If not, I'd probably just call around to some of the clinics in the area. Ask them a few questions...

- What kind of procedure do you follow for canine dentals? (I'd want a place that uses pediatric grade anesthesia-- Sevoflurane gas is pretty much the safest-- does pre-anesthesia bloodwork, and uses IV fluids even during routine dentals.) Check on the cost as well. Yorkies need so much dental work that this is likely to be a repeat expense! I always consider it to be a bad sign if somewhere charges WAY less than the other clinics in a neighborhood-- you get what you pay for, after all, but at the same time nobody wants to be overcharged. Try to find a happy medium.

- Ask about their vaccination protocols. (I'd be looking for someone that recommends either vaccines titers or 3 year Rabies and DHPP vaccines, with yearly Bordatella for at-risk dogs. Steer clear of places that would want to vaccinate for everything every year, and think twice about places that only offer DHLPP instead of DHPP, since Lepto is the part of the vaccine that causes the most reactions!)

I also wouldn't be shy about asking to see the hospital, and chatting with the staff. I work at an animal hospital, and I've never felt at all put-out by a prospective client asking to take a look around. A hospital that has nothing to hide won't refuse you a tour!