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ranant12 · 05-11-2009, 10:13 AM

Last Thursday, I was fortunate to be able to rescue a male yorkie from a shelter in a neighboring town. I was alerted to him by a friend that periodically drops off supplies that we donate to the shelter. He was owned by an inmate that had recently been assigned to work detail at the shelter and was being cared for by the animal control officer there. I went Friday after work and picked him up.

Boo Bear, was the tiniest little man I had ever seen. He barely tops 2 lbs and is judging by the condition of his teeth, approximately 3 years old. (Our local vet is closed weekends). The woman that had him, told me that she had gotten him 8 months prior to this and knew nothing of his history except that he was 'skinny' when she got him and that the people that had him before her had gotten him from someone else. To be honest, I'm surprised he managed to live so long being passed around so much.

Anyway, I took him home and fell in love with the little stinker. He dances around like a circus dog when he sees you and of course fell in love with my darling Diva, although she was not all that impressed with him.

I am taking him to our vet after work for an evaluation but I have some questions for those of you that are knowledgeable about tiny sized yorkies. First, his coat is very thin and silky. No parasites and no skin rashes, but still very thin hair. Is it possible that this is from malnutrition? What can I do to improve his coat?

Next, he is not neutered yet (I intend to do that and a dental as soon as the vet feels he is healthy enough for it) and is wearing a belly band for territorial marking. Do you put baby powder or anything else on the pad in the belly band to help with moisture control?

3rd. His teeth are in bad shape. Once he has his teeth cleaned what can I do other than brushing and dentals to help them stay as healthy as possible? Are dental issues more of a problem in very tiny yorkies? (Diva is 3 and her teeth look great.)

4th. Do very tiny yorkies benefit from extra vitamins or supplements added to their food?

Thanks in advance for your help. I will post pictures tommorrow.

05-11-2009, 10:13 AM	#1
ranant12 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2008 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 225	Questions about the health of a very tiny adult yorkie. Last Thursday, I was fortunate to be able to rescue a male yorkie from a shelter in a neighboring town. I was alerted to him by a friend that periodically drops off supplies that we donate to the shelter. He was owned by an inmate that had recently been assigned to work detail at the shelter and was being cared for by the animal control officer there. I went Friday after work and picked him up. Boo Bear, was the tiniest little man I had ever seen. He barely tops 2 lbs and is judging by the condition of his teeth, approximately 3 years old. (Our local vet is closed weekends). The woman that had him, told me that she had gotten him 8 months prior to this and knew nothing of his history except that he was 'skinny' when she got him and that the people that had him before her had gotten him from someone else. To be honest, I'm surprised he managed to live so long being passed around so much. Anyway, I took him home and fell in love with the little stinker. He dances around like a circus dog when he sees you and of course fell in love with my darling Diva, although she was not all that impressed with him. I am taking him to our vet after work for an evaluation but I have some questions for those of you that are knowledgeable about tiny sized yorkies. First, his coat is very thin and silky. No parasites and no skin rashes, but still very thin hair. Is it possible that this is from malnutrition? What can I do to improve his coat? Next, he is not neutered yet (I intend to do that and a dental as soon as the vet feels he is healthy enough for it) and is wearing a belly band for territorial marking. Do you put baby powder or anything else on the pad in the belly band to help with moisture control? 3rd. His teeth are in bad shape. Once he has his teeth cleaned what can I do other than brushing and dentals to help them stay as healthy as possible? Are dental issues more of a problem in very tiny yorkies? (Diva is 3 and her teeth look great.) 4th. Do very tiny yorkies benefit from extra vitamins or supplements added to their food? Thanks in advance for your help. I will post pictures tommorrow.