I found this post and replies interesting as I rescued an older yorkie a month ago and am trying to learn as much as possible about the breed and their care requirements.

I think if all the information mentioned could be in one place for easy reference that would be the most helpful to new members. If more specific information is needed then further searches could be done by them. Maybe a list from the vets and another more specific list about yorkies developed by members and their experiences? I say that because I've already taken my dog to the vet for symptoms much less than those listed, e.g., scooting on the rug and found he had an anal gland infection. I found the answer to the problem on the forum and then knew to take him in right away. There was only three hours between when I saw him scoot and we were at the vet's office. If I had waited, I can't imagine how much more pain he would have been in.

Just a newbies view so use it (or not) as you see fit.

I like the way you stated this and it covers a lot. I was wondering if refusal to eat should be added, they have refusal to drink after 24 hours, but they don't state refusal to eat. Wouldn't refusal to eat be an important symptom?


I also think what you said, "eye discoloration, swelling, prolonged squinting" should be added.

By the way, when you click on one of the links, it gives more detailed information. Like number 9. Obvious signs of pain or anxiety links you to this page. HOW TO Tell If Your Dog is in Pain | Find A Vet where it says,

Maybe writing this under 9 might be helpful, some people won't click on the links, they think the word is underlined for emphasis and don't realize they could learn more if the clicked on it.

All good points and I'd like to see adding the "shaking/trembling" for a sign of possible pain. Also was thinking it would be good to do a separate sticky for how to tell if your Yorkie is in pain. We could base it on that link you copied and add the things we all would like without going overboard. So many people still think if a dog isn't limping or whining it isn't hurting. Can we do a signs of pain/distress list sticky?

I so worry if we put in a lot of extra words on this list - zoom, they are gone after just reading a quarter or half.

What if this list says said somewhere just under the headline about the symptoms:

"Please click on the underlined, blue hyperlinks for further information."

OR

"Please click on the underlined, blue hyperlinks for further explanation."

I'd like to see refusal of food added to #12 but have had more than one vet tell me to rest the gut for a 24 hour period so maybe that is not so important for most dogs but for the Yorkie, I would think it would be vital not to go a whole day and night without food, especially the very small ones! I don't let Tibbe go much over 8 and certainly not 12 hours myself without making him eat something, if I have to make it thin, runny kibble soup and spoon it in or at least some Karo or honey. Unless of course the vet says differently.

What if #12 reads: "Refusal to eat or drink water for more than 10 - 14 hours."?

That is far more hours than I am comfortable with and doesn't include tinies I'm sure but I hate to make it too different from the AVMA list but that 24 hours seems quite a long, long time for a little dog under 10 lbs. to go without food and/or water unless directed to by a vet!

What do you all think of the separate pain list and changing the hours for food/water from that of the AVMA?

I know sometimes we are told not to give them food, but my vet told me that was a sign of pain. Since I didn't know this or that a dog often hides the fact it is in pain, it really stood out in my brain.

As far as adding the words or having them click a link, I would probably do some of each, I think the list of "Obvious signs of pain or anxiety" is too important not to list and we can't read it enough. I think it can still be a fairly short list. I probably wouldn't change the wording of the AVMA, but I'd make type an asterisk and write in red, something like, "for toy breeds a safer number might be 12 hours." I'm just trying to give you ideas, I'm sure whatever you think is right will be great.

A new epidemic of lung worms. Caused from snails and slugs
Since yorkies are natural bug hunters!

It is tricky to word the additions sometimes as the #5. It seemed strange to just put in as asterisk and and parenthesis and say #5. Eye injuries *("Discoloration, swelling, prolonged squinting") so I amended it and added the word "eye" after asterisk, parenthesis and then "require veterinary attention". But that seems wordy. Also, I didn't feel adding "For toy breeds" was right - because really this should apply to all dogs but the AVMA didn't add that. That seems is even wordier. Which is better?

The way it is above OR:

#5. Eye injuries *(Discolorations, swelling, prolonged squinting)

Which #5 is better and more consistent without being too wordy? I think the asterisk and the YT statement at the bottom give credit to the AVMA but still let us add a thing or two that seems to better serve the Yorkie.

Otherwise, okay? That is, assuming we can go do another slightly YT-amended sticky for the How To Tell If Your Dog Is In Pain sticky?

Thanks ! :)

I agree. I hope we can do the How to tell your dog is in pain list and maybe another list about things that aren't critical but need watching/vetting if they continue or add the "scooting/biting at rear/tail/anal swelling" or something like that to one of the lists. I kind of hate to add it to the 13 Symptoms list as it is probably so long already and anal sac itching isn't usually immediately critical as those other indicators are but wish we could work it in one one of those. Maybe the AVMA statement at the bottom about "any concern" could cover it but IDK. What does everyone think - where should scooting/biting at rear/tail, etc. go? Separate listing or not?

Thank you very much.

I like it like this:

From Find A Vet:

These 13 Dog Symptoms Need Immediate Attention From Your Vet | Find A Vet

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) warns that pet parents should immediately take their dogs to a veterinarian or emergency animal hospital if their pets are displaying any of the following symptoms:

*(Please click on the underlined, blue hyperlinks below for further information.)

1. Severe bleeding or bleeding that lasts longer than 5 minutes
2. Choking or difficulty breathing, or continuous coughing and gagging
3. Bleeding from your dog’s nose, mouth or rectum; coughing up blood; or blood in his urine
4. Inability to urinate or defecate, or obvious pain when doing so
5. Eye injuries *(Including: discolorations, swelling, prolonged squinting)
6. Your dog ate something poisonous, such as antifreeze, xylitol, chocolate, rodent poison, etc. *(Including dangerous foreign objects or human/other medicine not currently prescribed for the dog)
7. Seizures and/or staggering
8. Fractured bones, severe limping or your dog cannot move his leg(s)
9. Obvious signs of pain or anxiety (*In addition, toy breeds may exhibit shaking/trembling with pain or anxiety)
10. Heat stress or heatstroke
11. Severe vomiting or diarrhea (more than twice in a 24-hour period, or if it is combined with illness or any of these other conditions)
12. Refusal to drink water for more than 24 hours
13. Unconsciousness

*Recommendations/clarifications added by YorkieTalk.com members

“The bottom line is that any concern about your pet’s health warrants, at minimum, a call to your veterinarian,” the AVMA notes.

For more information about these and other dog health conditions, visit HOW TO Topics: A to Z or submit a question to i Love Dogs’ Ask a Vet.

Also, I think we need to combine this sticky with this one, if we're going to have them both in Emerg...otherwise, we have 2 topics appearing to cover basically the same thing - when they're actually a bit different. But, they need to be together, really.

If you all think the #12 going without water 24 hours is okay as it, then I'm fine with this and would love to combine the two to give worried owners something in writing to follow. Let's get them up there. Adding the word "dangerous" in front of foreign object might cause some to think not to call if their dog swalled a long chew stick, though. A young person might not see that as dangerous, though it could be to a Yorkie.

Here is how I would like to see the list appear but if anything is unclear or needs amending, do edit. Thanks.

Here is how I would like to see the list appear but if anything is unclear or needs amending, do edit. Checked with my vets about #12 & they said 8-12 hrs. max. for a toy breed dog to go w/o water before seeking vet attention. Thanks.