I'm inheriting a "tiny"!!!

[JiggityJig]

One of the most surreal moments of my life was recently when, the NIGHT before I was to go pick up my first yorkie, I received an email from relatives BEGGING me to take theirs, as they were moving and would be unable to care for her any longer.

I saw her when she was a pup, and fell in love...in fact, she was the inspiration for me "going for it" and finally buying that yorkie I'd always dreamed of for myself. But I haven't seen her since, so I was shocked to hear that, at nine months, she is still less than two pounds. (?!?!?! )

It's so incredibly ironic to me that EVERYONE I talk to wants a "teacup", and people are willing to pay thousands of dollars for them....and here I am...I didn't even WANT an undersized yorkie....and I'm having the wee-est of ones given to me for free!

I've only had my own puppy for a little over a week, and the new girl will be here MONDAY. I'm excited, but also scared. So far she's been "perfectly healthy", but of course, I've heard all the horror stories. Could owners of tinies please advise/reassure me?!?! I need to hear from your voice of experience!!!

[TrueReviews]

Well I think it is easy for the tinier yorkies to have health risks but it doesn't always happen. First know the health of the baby! My Juliet is only 3lbs at nearly 1 year old. She may never get bigger! She has had one seizure but it was not size related but rather a basic hypoglycemic reaction accelerated by slipping in the giant tub she was staying in during my house sitting job for my parents. I thought she was safe in there but I have since learned not to ever put her in there again! The hypoglycemia is something yorkies of any size can get...granted tinies can get it easier but it is not uncommon and chances of more severe reactions can be reduced if you keep Nutrical and White Kyro syrup and even Honey on hand! We found this out during her attack! I think as long as you know the health history you will find it will work out and she will be healthy! Good luck and please post pics of your baby!!! ;-)
~Tru

[Erin]

A friend of mine has a 2lb girl. She is still a puppy, just under a year, but she is not expected to get much bigger. We cheer when she gains an ounce or two! Anyway, I was worried too when my friend got her but she seems to be fine. She was able to be spayed once she hit 2lbs and that went OK. She is still super tiny and fragile IMO. Loki is 10 pounds and I think he is very small! She is mostly carried around - I don't think she'd get far on a leash. They did have a hard time finding a harness and collar that fit her but I found one at a local puppy boutique. I did hear that she fell recently, but again she seems to be OK. I think your biggest worry after health would be falls. Just make sure everything has puppy stairs and she knows how to use them, or simply keep her on the floor. Put a bell on her collar so you hear her! Oh, and she also had a hard time finding kibble that was small/soft enough for her. There are lots of options out there and she must already eat something. Oh, and this little girl even went to puppy classes!

Please keep us posted!! Good luck!!

[sandraj]

I have a small Yorkie--but not quite that small.She is 31/2 pounds at nearly 7 months. She is very healthy and full of energy and can out walk me!

We used a kitten harness for her at first. There is lots of small sized kibble out there. Nutro do a Mini maintenance that Holly likes and we might move onto after her puppy Nutro/Royal Canin is gone. It is important with the little ones that they get the best food.

I have steps made out of pillows to help her get on my bed. We have had one fall as she is wriggly when people pick her up.Encourage them to sit. She wasn't hurt,though.

Remember to look behind you when you move-my girl sneaks up and sits at my heels.

Otherwise, enjoy your girl. She will be a lovely role model for your pup. Post photos as soon as you can!

[Yorkie3]

I have a tiny little girl, and through my research and talking with others, if it's bred to be a tiny, it seems they have more problems, you know, tiny mother, tiny father bred to be tiny so they can get more money. But if it's a tiny, that is just the runt of the little, they seem to do better and have far fewer problems if any at all. Hyploglyemia can be a problem with any small Yorkie or dog. Just have Karo, Nutri-cal handy just in case and don't let them run or play till they drop. Let them rest. Better to spay/neuter them so they are not bred for tinies.

[honeybrown_43]

My Jazzy is 3lbs and she's 6 months. I don't know if she's gonna grow anymore. Seems like she's been the same size for the longest but she doesn't seem really small to me. I guess you would consider her as being a tiny. I havent had any health problems with her as of yet and hopefully never. Just that BIG PAW which the vet said was a fungus but I guess any dog can get that. She's been stepped on by mistake a couple of times and she's been fine. She even jumps off the couch and no broken bones. I think she's a strong one. Otherwise no health problems over here.

[JiggityJig]

I have a tiny little girl, and through my research and talking with others, if it's bred to be a tiny, it seems they have more problems, you know, tiny mother, tiny father bred to be tiny so they can get more money. But if it's a tiny, that is just the runt of the little, they seem to do better and have far fewer problems if any at all.

This is an interesting point. I don't know the exact circumstances of her breeding, other than that she was bought on impulse, with no prior thought or research....and I always just imagined them buying her off a parking lot or something!

Regardless, being a total impulse purchase, I really DOUBT that they pd. thousands of dollars for her, which one might imagine would have been charged if she'd actually been BRED to be a tiny. You know?

When I get her papers, I'll try to research her breeder more.

Since this family did NO research into the breed, and didn't intend to end up with a "teacup", they also were completely unaware of any potential health issues. So they weren't guarding against hypoglycemia, etc, and yet, there were never any problems.

As for liver shunt....would that have surfaced by now? She's nine months, and never had a seizure or anything. Can I feel hopeful that any major congenital problems are unlikely? Or can those develop down the line?

A vet has pronounced her "the picture of health", however, I don't know what that means. Since the previous owner acted like she was hearing about "liver shunt" and "luxating patellas" for the first time when I mentioned them, I don't know if she was checked for those or not.

[GeorgiesMomma]

Georgie is small he is 3 1/2 at 1yr, and thank God we haven't had any problems. The biggest problem we had was diarrhea a couple of time, but our big Boxer has had that too. Georgie is awesome what he lacks in size he makes up for in attitude I will tell you a couple of things I have learned:

1.) Make sure they eat even if they are picky eaters find something they like, because they are so small and have no reserves.

2.) Don't let people especially children pick them up unless you are right there with them.

3.) Watch them when they are outside big birds can mistake them for squirrels and try to hurt them.

Sorry if all the above in common sense I can tell you that these are things I was unaware of and have learned about over the 9 months Georgie has been with me. good luck and please post pics soon

[shelbysmom]

Well, my dog is huge compared to some of these but at 3.75lbs. I am very aware of the special risks involved. At 9 months your pup may still grow some but it sounds like it will remain under 3 lbs. Adorable, but extra tiny and extra scary.

I felt more comfortable once shelby was over the 3lb. mark just because she was more noticeable. the tiny ones end up under feet so easily! I advise usuing pens or gates so you always know where she is. If you have visitors or take her places keep her on a leash right by your side.

If she is skinny you can fatten her up but if she is just tiny in structure there won't be much you can do to influence her size. goodluck.

[Lacy's Mom]

Originally Posted by JiggityJig

As for liver shunt....would that have surfaced by now? She's nine months, and never had a seizure or anything. Can I feel hopeful that any major congenital problems are unlikely? Or can those develop down the line?

A vet has pronounced her "the picture of health", however, I don't know what that means. Since the previous owner acted like she was hearing about "liver shunt" and "luxating patellas" for the first time when I mentioned them, I don't know if she was checked for those or not.

I am sure you can rule out the luxating patellas since this is a routine part of an examination, but the pup could still have a liver shunt. A complete bloodwork panel (is usually not done unless there is a problem) would show whether there is a need to do a further bile acid test. I think it is too soon to rule out a liver shunt at 9 months.

[KiKiPie]

My baby is 11 months old and weighs 2.5 lbs. She is as healthy as a horse. I am always paranoid about her getting hurt because she is so small. She is just a doll. I think you will enjoy your new little baby! They are such a blessing that small. (Not that the larger ones arent!!) She has never had any seizures or problems with hypogl. or anything else! Good luck to you!! Im sure you will take great care or her!

[abbie's mom]

Originally Posted by sandraj

Remember to look behind you when you move-my girl sneaks up and sits at my heels.

Not a 'mom' of a tiny, here - Abbie is growing along at (I'd guess) a standard rate of 1lb/month, 5.5lb @ almost 6months. But, I'd say this should be the rule dealing with ALL Yorkies. One must get in the mindset of "If you can't see the Yorkie, look straight down!", cause that's where s/he will be!

[JiggityJig]

LOL, good rule!

I've noticed that they are like babies....they move a lot faster than you think they should/could, and are always showing up in one spot, when you think they ought to be in another! But in this case...there's not even the rustling diaper to alert you. I really need to do bells on collars or something now, with two.

Last night there was a Red Alert when we couldn't find the puppy! I even, morbidly , went and checked in the washing machine, in case she got scooped up with some blankets.

The whole time she was "right at our feet", sleeping under the coffee table!

[sondra2004]

I agree Cat collars with bells are needed with the little ones ! Also when you leave Them alone for a time put out honey nut cherrios(for low blood surgar) and when they dont drink try ice cubes.My dogs loves them !Always make sure when stepping down from a chair or bed or stairs they are not under your feet. For peace of mind take the little one to the vet for a check-up.

[Dawn125]

It's possible she might not be quite as tiny as they said. When I got Titan the previous owner said he was 3 lbs and 10 months old so I was prepared for him to be tiny. When I actually got him it turned out he was actually almost 5 lbs but had been 3 pounds the last time she took him to the vet and she just didn't realize he had gained weight. So maybe this 2 lb yorkie you are getting is more like 3-3.5. Even 5 lbs still seems pretty tiny if you don't have a scale.