Need Help with Aggressive Female Yorkie - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Yorkie Rescue · 07-26-2009, 09:13 PM

We got in a very aggressive yorkie a few weeks ago. She weighs 2.7 lbs. She is 14 months old. She gets along with all the males and some of the older females but not all of them. She is always looking for a fight. She can sniff one of the females and then it is as if a light bulb goes off in her head and she goes berzerk. This is one reason she was surrendered to us. So far she has not gotten hurt because she is always in a harness and attached to a lead which I carry around. No accidents happening under my watch, but it is disconcerting because I have to watch her like a hawk.

I have watched Cesar Milan and he has shown how to lay the dog down on their back and gentle place the finger tips near their neck area which is supposed to calm them. This actually works, but I have to physically remove her from the area first.

Her behavior doesn't seem to be improving and I am wondering if she can ever learn to get along or if she is just going to be one of these dogs that has to be adopted by a family without any other animals. She is very sweet and very affectionate but very spoiled by the previous owner and I am afraid he has made this dog quite neurotic.

She is not spayed yet. She came in with elevated liver levels but after a bile acid test was done, she was ruled as NOT having a liver shunt. We will repeat the bile acid test after another 30 days to see if the bile acid numbers are closer to the normal range based on her diet and some medication.

She was underweight when she arrived. Now that she has being fed a proper diet, she went into her first heat. I do not know if spaying her is going to cure her aggressive behavior towards other females. And if it can, how long would that take? Months?

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated, especially from others who may have had this problem and found a solution. I want to make sure this little doll gets a shot at having a well balanced and healthy life. She is so young but so screwed up right now.

YorkieMother · 07-26-2009, 09:36 PM

What you are dealing with is to a level that out strips that of Ceser milan and even my skills as someone that works with aggression.
In that you need her on drugs... you need her stable to work on the skills she is so afraid and so upset and so out of control and it is chemical not learned that it needs a behaviourist and one that can write yuo a note for drugs.

Do not do anytthing with the dog that requires you to pin her as it will only build the fear and trigger the embalance more. She can not help this it is not something she can contro l until she gets help.

Oh I have one in my house and she is doing better and gets along most dayts fine but this does not change it needs to be managed long term and it can settle but will not go away without intesive work.

Feel free to Pm me and I will see wht I can find for you for a Behaviourist in your area.
Also get a thyroid test on her as if it is only just off it can effect temerment this way as well. Do that before you do any rehab.

JL

Chance · 07-26-2009, 10:04 PM

Something else to consider is, even though her bile acids were ok. With high liver levels
she could have MVD, or HE, these are liver diseases that cause high liver levels, but are
not a liver shunt. Her aggression could be caused by toxins going to her brain. You could call U. T. Vet. school, they will be happy to answer your questions. If you want
there phone number just private e-mail me.

Yorkie Rescue · 07-27-2009, 04:40 AM

We are still working on getting accurate liver function tests. I believe the normal range should have been 0-25 and hers was 47. But she was also on clavimox at the time the bile acide test was done and another Vet told me that the antibiotics could have compromised the bile acid tests results so I guess I am back at square one.

I spoke to a Vet about the aggressive behavior being caused by liver toxins and he said that it was a slight possibility (he doubted it tho) and that I should check to see if the aggression becomes worse 2-4 hours after she eats. I have not noticed a time when the aggression was worse or better. As long as I keep her near me, there is no trouble. I simply do not trust her.

She is with me 24/7, or she is cornered off away from the others but is never happy with that situation. She is very insecure...She has already had two previous owners. First owner could not keep her. It was never fully explained to me why. Second owner turned her over because of aggression. She has had a lot to deal with in only 14 months.

I will consider the thyroid test. Might as well test her for that when she has another bile acide test. But for the time being I cannot give her drugs of any kind until we are certain how the liver will handle them. This is going to be a long term rehab, I can see that now. Not only does she need to be spayed but she has a second row of baby teeth that never came out naturally and these will have to be eliminated as well.

She also had some crystals in her urine and came in with a UTI. I swear, this little girl is having her share of problems. I hate to see a yorkie this tiny. They usually end up with a whole host of problems.

TLC · 07-27-2009, 06:31 AM

I have an MVD dog and I have a lot of experience with Liver Issues. Even though her BAT wasn't into Liver Shunt territory (100+), her number of 47 was still higher than normal. It could have been the antib's, but she most likely has MVD. The crystals in the urine suggest that as well. So with that being said, if she has MVD, YES the toxins CAN and DO cause some aggression.

Spaying her should also help, but you need to know if she has Liver Issues, so you and the Vet can take the proper precautions during the spay, and possible Liver Biopsy (since she will be under already).

What diet and supplements are you givinh to her now

Yorkie Rescue · 07-27-2009, 07:23 AM

Right now we are feeding her the Prescription Diet L/S as well as the Royal Canin Hepatic L/S. One is canned and the other is dry. Since she is such a picky eater we give her both. I can get her to eat it but she would much prefer the stuff she shouldn't have which is not an option right now. She gets nothing else, no treats, no table scraps, no other dog food, nada!

Where on Long Island are you located? I was born and raised in Suffolk County.

No surgery will be done until we repeat the BAT in 25 more days. She is currently taking Denamarin (once daily) an hour before her dinner. I appreciate any and all information you can give to me. I have had NO experience with this disease but look forward to learning all that I can.

And yes, you are correct, extreme precautions will be necessary when spaying this little one. Thankfully I have a wonderful Vet.

TLC · 07-27-2009, 09:32 AM

Some people add some water to the L/D wet, some people bake the L/D wet.
Some people let the Royal Canin Hepatic soak in water for about 3 hours and let them eat it that way, or even blend it a little.

Apple bits (no skin), watermelon and romaine lettuce, even cherrios are good and safe treats to give.

The supplements I use (instead of Denamarin) are Vetri DMG and Hepatosupport. These are much more easy to give verses the Denamarin.
I get them from HomeVet© Natural Pet Care

I am orginally from NJ, moved to LI in 96 and have lived in town from Farmingdale, Melville, Copaigue, Stony Brook and now out by Bellport Village

I have family in Naples, FL too

Yorkie Rescue · 07-27-2009, 09:51 AM

I have been doing some reading and noticed that many suggest pushing water with the diet. She does not drink much water so yes, I will soak her dry food and see if she will eat it.

>>Apple bits (no skin), watermelon and romaine lettuce, even cherrios are >>good and safe treats to give.

Funny but the previous owner stated that he fed this dog lettuce and tomato because those were her favorite foods. I will try to give her some apple. I am sure she will like it.

>>The supplements I use (instead of Denamarin) are Vetri DMG and >>Hepatosupport. These are much more easy to give verses the >>Denamarin.
>>I get them from HomeVet© Natural Pet Care

How are these easier? I have had no problem giving her the Denamarin and would prefer to stick with this course of treatement for now because it is what we started out using a week ago and was prescribed by my Vet. However I am always open to suggestions after this course of treatement has ended.

>>I am orginally from NJ, moved to LI in 96 and have lived in town from >>Farmingdale, Melville, Copaigue, Stony Brook and now out by Bellport >>

I have family in Naples, FL too

I lived in Bayport for years before moving to North Carolina in 1990. Moved to Florida in 2004. Sheesh it sure is hot down here. I am ready to go back up north. All of my family is still there.

TLC · 07-27-2009, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yorkie Rescue

I have been doing some reading and noticed that many suggest pushing water with the diet. She does not drink much water so yes, I will soak her dry food and see if she will eat it.

Water intake is important, especially since she has crystals in her urine, the more water intake the less chance of stones forming.

>>Apple bits (no skin), watermelon and romaine lettuce, even cherrios are >>good and safe treats to give.

Funny but the previous owner stated that he fed this dog lettuce and tomato because those were her favorite foods. I will try to give her some apple. I am sure she will like it.

Romain Lettuce contains Vit K, which is good for dogs with Liver Shunts. My dogs go nuts for their Romaine lettuce (which they get at their PM meal). They tend to like the stalks the best, so I save the leaf part for me. And I just dicovered that I shouldn't be throwing away that "end" piece, I just cut off the "brown yucky part" and wash and cut that up into little bit size pieces and oh do they love it

. Not sure about the tomatos though.

>>The supplements I use (instead of Denamarin) are Vetri DMG and >>Hepatosupport. These are much more easy to give verses the >>Denamarin.
>>I get them from HomeVet© Natural Pet Care

How are these easier? I have had no problem giving her the Denamarin and would prefer to stick with this course of treatement for now because it is what we started out using a week ago and was prescribed by my Vet. However I am always open to suggestions after this course of treatement has ended.

I believe the Denamarin must be given whole, which can be difficult to administer. But Denamarin, is Denosyl and Marin, but without the yeast and liver, so that's good.

Those other supplements are liquid and a capsule, so it can easily be disguised in food. Hepatosupport (capsules)- contains milk thistle and B vitamins (substitute for Marin) and VetriDMG liquid (substitute for Denosyl). These supplements are also more cost effective

>>I am orginally from NJ, moved to LI in 96 and have lived in town from >>Farmingdale, Melville, Copaigue, Stony Brook and now out by Bellport >>

I have family in Naples, FL too

I lived in Bayport for years before moving to North Carolina in 1990. Moved to Florida in 2004. Sheesh it sure is hot down here. I am ready to go back up north. All of my family is still there.

Well if you ever come up for a visit and want a Yorkie Playdate let me know, Bellport and Bayport are practically next to one another

07-26-2009, 09:13 PM	#1
Yorkie Rescue No Longer a Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Palm City, Florida USA Posts: 75	Need Help with Aggressive Female Yorkie We got in a very aggressive yorkie a few weeks ago. She weighs 2.7 lbs. She is 14 months old. She gets along with all the males and some of the older females but not all of them. She is always looking for a fight. She can sniff one of the females and then it is as if a light bulb goes off in her head and she goes berzerk. This is one reason she was surrendered to us. So far she has not gotten hurt because she is always in a harness and attached to a lead which I carry around. No accidents happening under my watch, but it is disconcerting because I have to watch her like a hawk. I have watched Cesar Milan and he has shown how to lay the dog down on their back and gentle place the finger tips near their neck area which is supposed to calm them. This actually works, but I have to physically remove her from the area first. Her behavior doesn't seem to be improving and I am wondering if she can ever learn to get along or if she is just going to be one of these dogs that has to be adopted by a family without any other animals. She is very sweet and very affectionate but very spoiled by the previous owner and I am afraid he has made this dog quite neurotic. She is not spayed yet. She came in with elevated liver levels but after a bile acid test was done, she was ruled as NOT having a liver shunt. We will repeat the bile acid test after another 30 days to see if the bile acid numbers are closer to the normal range based on her diet and some medication. She was underweight when she arrived. Now that she has being fed a proper diet, she went into her first heat. I do not know if spaying her is going to cure her aggressive behavior towards other females. And if it can, how long would that take? Months? Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated, especially from others who may have had this problem and found a solution. I want to make sure this little doll gets a shot at having a well balanced and healthy life. She is so young but so screwed up right now. Last edited by Yorkie Rescue; 07-26-2009 at 09:15 PM.

07-26-2009, 09:36 PM	#2
YorkieMother YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: North Posts: 1,324	What you are dealing with is to a level that out strips that of Ceser milan and even my skills as someone that works with aggression. In that you need her on drugs... you need her stable to work on the skills she is so afraid and so upset and so out of control and it is chemical not learned that it needs a behaviourist and one that can write yuo a note for drugs. Do not do anytthing with the dog that requires you to pin her as it will only build the fear and trigger the embalance more. She can not help this it is not something she can contro l until she gets help. Oh I have one in my house and she is doing better and gets along most dayts fine but this does not change it needs to be managed long term and it can settle but will not go away without intesive work. Feel free to Pm me and I will see wht I can find for you for a Behaviourist in your area. Also get a thyroid test on her as if it is only just off it can effect temerment this way as well. Do that before you do any rehab. JL __________________ "The truth about an animal is far more beautiful than all the myths woven about it." Konrad Loranz Last edited by YorkieMother; 07-26-2009 at 09:37 PM.

07-27-2009, 04:40 AM	#4
Yorkie Rescue No Longer a Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Palm City, Florida USA Posts: 75	Liver Function We are still working on getting accurate liver function tests. I believe the normal range should have been 0-25 and hers was 47. But she was also on clavimox at the time the bile acide test was done and another Vet told me that the antibiotics could have compromised the bile acid tests results so I guess I am back at square one. I spoke to a Vet about the aggressive behavior being caused by liver toxins and he said that it was a slight possibility (he doubted it tho) and that I should check to see if the aggression becomes worse 2-4 hours after she eats. I have not noticed a time when the aggression was worse or better. As long as I keep her near me, there is no trouble. I simply do not trust her. She is with me 24/7, or she is cornered off away from the others but is never happy with that situation. She is very insecure...She has already had two previous owners. First owner could not keep her. It was never fully explained to me why. Second owner turned her over because of aggression. She has had a lot to deal with in only 14 months. I will consider the thyroid test. Might as well test her for that when she has another bile acide test. But for the time being I cannot give her drugs of any kind until we are certain how the liver will handle them. This is going to be a long term rehab, I can see that now. Not only does she need to be spayed but she has a second row of baby teeth that never came out naturally and these will have to be eliminated as well. She also had some crystals in her urine and came in with a UTI. I swear, this little girl is having her share of problems. I hate to see a yorkie this tiny. They usually end up with a whole host of problems.

07-27-2009, 06:31 AM	#5
TLC Slave to My Rug-Rats Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Long Island Posts: 7,247	I have an MVD dog and I have a lot of experience with Liver Issues. Even though her BAT wasn't into Liver Shunt territory (100+), her number of 47 was still higher than normal. It could have been the antib's, but she most likely has MVD. The crystals in the urine suggest that as well. So with that being said, if she has MVD, YES the toxins CAN and DO cause some aggression. Spaying her should also help, but you need to know if she has Liver Issues, so you and the Vet can take the proper precautions during the spay, and possible Liver Biopsy (since she will be under already). What diet and supplements are you givinh to her now __________________ Adopt Donate Foster www.yorkie911rescue.com

07-27-2009, 07:23 AM	#6
Yorkie Rescue No Longer a Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Palm City, Florida USA Posts: 75	Liver Shunt Diet Right now we are feeding her the Prescription Diet L/S as well as the Royal Canin Hepatic L/S. One is canned and the other is dry. Since she is such a picky eater we give her both. I can get her to eat it but she would much prefer the stuff she shouldn't have which is not an option right now. She gets nothing else, no treats, no table scraps, no other dog food, nada! Where on Long Island are you located? I was born and raised in Suffolk County. No surgery will be done until we repeat the BAT in 25 more days. She is currently taking Denamarin (once daily) an hour before her dinner. I appreciate any and all information you can give to me. I have had NO experience with this disease but look forward to learning all that I can. And yes, you are correct, extreme precautions will be necessary when spaying this little one. Thankfully I have a wonderful Vet.

07-26-2009, 10:04 PM	#3
Chance Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Clarkrange Posts: 130	Something else to consider is, even though her bile acids were ok. With high liver levels she could have MVD, or HE, these are liver diseases that cause high liver levels, but are not a liver shunt. Her aggression could be caused by toxins going to her brain. You could call U. T. Vet. school, they will be happy to answer your questions. If you want there phone number just private e-mail me.

07-27-2009, 09:32 AM	#7
TLC Slave to My Rug-Rats Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Long Island Posts: 7,247	Some people add some water to the L/D wet, some people bake the L/D wet. Some people let the Royal Canin Hepatic soak in water for about 3 hours and let them eat it that way, or even blend it a little. Apple bits (no skin), watermelon and romaine lettuce, even cherrios are good and safe treats to give. The supplements I use (instead of Denamarin) are Vetri DMG and Hepatosupport. These are much more easy to give verses the Denamarin. I get them from HomeVet© Natural Pet Care I am orginally from NJ, moved to LI in 96 and have lived in town from Farmingdale, Melville, Copaigue, Stony Brook and now out by Bellport Village I have family in Naples, FL too __________________ Adopt Donate Foster www.yorkie911rescue.com

07-27-2009, 09:51 AM	#8
Yorkie Rescue No Longer a Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Palm City, Florida USA Posts: 75	Another Question I have been doing some reading and noticed that many suggest pushing water with the diet. She does not drink much water so yes, I will soak her dry food and see if she will eat it. >>Apple bits (no skin), watermelon and romaine lettuce, even cherrios are >>good and safe treats to give. Funny but the previous owner stated that he fed this dog lettuce and tomato because those were her favorite foods. I will try to give her some apple. I am sure she will like it. >>The supplements I use (instead of Denamarin) are Vetri DMG and >>Hepatosupport. These are much more easy to give verses the >>Denamarin. >>I get them from HomeVet© Natural Pet Care How are these easier? I have had no problem giving her the Denamarin and would prefer to stick with this course of treatement for now because it is what we started out using a week ago and was prescribed by my Vet. However I am always open to suggestions after this course of treatement has ended. >>I am orginally from NJ, moved to LI in 96 and have lived in town from >>Farmingdale, Melville, Copaigue, Stony Brook and now out by Bellport >> I have family in Naples, FL too I lived in Bayport for years before moving to North Carolina in 1990. Moved to Florida in 2004. Sheesh it sure is hot down here. I am ready to go back up north. All of my family is still there.