[gemy]

York Daddy:

I don't know the age of the pup you are thinking of getting this wkend. But if that pup has not been BATS tested please make sure the health guarantee covers Liver Shunt, and make sure the health guarantees against LP. And at 16 wks test for BATS maybe 50-75$ test depending upon where you are.

I am as serious as a "heart attack here". Do you know that LS is over 30% in this breed and it is a serious condition that if it requires surgery could cost upwards of $2000; not to mention the unestimable cost in heart ache to you as the owner of this pup.

Luxating Patella is very very common not only in this breed but in many other small breeds. It can be very minor ie Grade One, which if you are lucky and do the right care may not manifest itself other than arthritis as the pup gets to mid senior years, or it can be much more serious requiring surgery in the first two years of life. Again think minimum of $2000 for this surgery.

So when you pick up this pup this weekend understand that roughly you have a one in three chance (or more) that your pup will have one of these conditions.

Sobering stats huh?

Next look at the cost of annual vet care for a healthy Yorkie. Dentals for Yorkies are usually necessary. That is extra 1-$200 over regular vaccines. Oh yes and those vaccines need to be split up; and likely you will need to pay a vet visit plus the vaccine cost ; which will triple the "normal" annual cost of vaccines.

So when you sign up to own this Yorkie you do so knowingly.