Long-lived Yorkie (for owners who has Yorkies live 13 years or older) - YorkieTalk.com Forums

vickyfan · 12-26-2013, 06:01 AM

Hi, I wonder if anyone who has Yorkies that live 13 years or order can share their secrets of keeping their dog healthy!!!! Please share:
1. Eating habits-- what brand of kibbles do you feed your beloved Yorkie? How often do you use canned food? Do you use any dehydrated food, eg honest kitchen?
2. Any brand of vitamin that you use?
Thanks so much for sharing. I also often take my puppy for a walk as well.

dollydoodle · 12-26-2013, 07:23 AM

Bumping because I'm interested in this, too. Also, for those of you with older Yorkies, can you let us know how their eyesight, hearing & other health concerns are developing/declining? Thank you. (My Dolly is 10 & still healthy & active as a young dog.)

Yorkiemom1 · 12-26-2013, 07:57 AM

While the care and nurturing and feeding are important in how happy and well adjusted your Yorkie will be during his/her life, the most important factor in longevity of any living creature, human or animal, is genetic. Some people live longer than others, some dogs live longer than others. The secret to longevity is in what is behind your baby.....how long did the dogs behind your dog, live? If your baby came from a long line of dogs that live 13 years or longer, chances are in your favor that your baby will also live a good long time. This is exactly why breeders that breed specific lines, concentrate on conformation, health, personality and longevity. This is what you get when you buy your dog from reputable breeders, rather than from pet stores, puppy mills, yard sales, flea markets, etc.

Ellie May · 12-26-2013, 07:59 AM

Ellie is only 12.5, but...

Her labs are near perfect (rechecking after UtI clears). She has a long list of medical problems that could easily turn into something major, but she is managed (IBD/severe food sensitivities, food allergies, possible focal MVD, pancreatitis, chronic aural yeast infections, mild LP, history of periodontal disease, spinal arthritis, IVDD, possible CT, and just got an umbilical hernia to top it off). Point is, her blood is still normal and she is happy. She looks amazing. It is all about management. Her spine is very unhappy all throughout and that is my biggest concern.

She has eaten exclusively Purina HA for two years. No vitamins, ever.

Cognition is perfect.
Hearing is normal.
Vision is normal except possible slight reduction in the dark. Severe nuclear sclerosis.
Minimally (but adequately) vaccinated.
Interceptor or Sentinel year-round.

My advice is to pay attention to your dogs. Do routine labs. Don't be afraid of rx food. Quality of life over quantity. Push for answers when something is wrong. Don't feed every concoction or supplement on the market in an attempt to prevent or cure disease. You will just be burning a hole in your pocket.

Patti · 12-26-2013, 08:28 AM

I had 2 yorkies die at 13. One from cancer and one from kidney failure and my pom died right at age 13 from Cushing's disease. Karma died in '83 and Zorro in 1991. Back then I didn't know much about good diet and routine testing that is done now. I had Nikki a rescue that I took in when his elderly owner had a stroke. He was found on the streets of Chicago so no history is known. He was guesstimated to be close to 18-19 years old when he died of kidney failure. He was always skinny and my vet felt he had been abused from some scarring in his ears and knots on his rib cage. When I got him he was about 15. His eyesight and hearing was poor and I had to have all his teeth pulled. Over the 2 1/2 years I had him, he went completely blind and deaf and slept most of the time. Even though he was blind he would find his way down the ramp off the bed to the potty pads and down the hall to the kitchen to eat. Sometimes with Pixie guiding him. He never had an accident. I had never had a very senior dog and it was very rewarding. I don't know how people can dump their senior dogs at shelters and I see it all the time. I am hoping with good diet and vet care my girls will live long lives.

ShowGirlLola · 12-26-2013, 02:29 PM

My family has been very lucky in this aspect.
Yorkie- put to sleep at 18, got from a breeder, liver problems as a pup but that cleared up, he was healthy except for the last year when he lost control of his bladder and then bowels, he was put to sleep

Mutt (Heinz 57, ~35lbs)- put to sleep at 18, from a petstore, very healthy, had a very sudden decline one day

Poodle- 14.5, back yard breeder, healthy, sudden decline one day, died that night, vet doesn't know why

Poodle- 15.5, byb, other poodles littermate, had epilepsy, CHF, and leukemia

Westie- my aunt's dog, I think she was 13-14 when she died, she had diabetes
Westie- my aunt's dog, she's still alive at 13, no major medical problems, the other westie was her mom

We've had dogs prior to these that died younger, but the only one who died young that was bought after the 80's was hit by a car (my aunt's dog).

They were all fed less than wonderful food (mighty dog, cesars, beneful, etc), a good bit of human food, and no vitamins.
They were taken to the vet as needed.

I don't remember the exacts with the hearing and eyesight, I know my 4 had trouble towards the end but got along well.

vickyfan · 12-26-2013, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShowGirlLola

My family has been very lucky in this aspect.
Yorkie- put to sleep at 18, got from a breeder, liver problems as a pup but that cleared up, he was healthy except for the last year when he lost control of his bladder and then bowels, he was put to sleep

Mutt (Heinz 57, ~35lbs)- put to sleep at 18, from a petstore, very healthy, had a very sudden decline one day

Poodle- 14.5, back yard breeder, healthy, sudden decline one day, died that night, vet doesn't know why

Poodle- 15.5, byb, other poodles littermate, had epilepsy, CHF, and leukemia

Westie- my aunt's dog, I think she was 13-14 when she died, she had diabetes
Westie- my aunt's dog, she's still alive at 13, no major medical problems, the other westie was her mom

We've had dogs prior to these that died younger, but the only one who died young that was bought after the 80's was hit by a car (my aunt's dog).

They were all fed less than wonderful food (mighty dog, cesars, beneful, etc), a good bit of human food, and no vitamins.
They were taken to the vet as needed.

I don't remember the exacts with the hearing and eyesight, I know my 4 had trouble towards the end but got along well.

Oh wow!!!! It makes me wondering maybe I should get one more dog for Minnie. That could make them happier and be more active!

maryj · 01-30-2014, 07:50 AM

My Toby lived 13.5. He was barely 5#. I took him running often and carried him around everywhere I went. He was a finicky eater, and I fed him chicken a lot to get him to eat. I never knew about grainfree,organic etc for pups back then. His teeth were decayed, and after cleaning once, the anesthia bothered him so I never did it again. He stopped all vaccines at about 10. He lost hearing and seeing but it didn't interfere with his quality of life--other than not seeing the squirrels to chase. and he didn't want to walk much. No other health problems until he developed cancerous lumps. I was told they could be removed and when I did it, he never fully was able to walk on his back leg. He just laid around and slept and I knew it was time to let him go.

xFoxyx · 01-30-2014, 09:37 AM

Presley was almost 17 and a half before we sent him to the bridge.. I honestly can not tell you why he lived so long. I had him before the internet and had no clue on what to feed him. The first seven years he got eukanuba and we did feed him from the table. Until he developed pancreatitis then he was on prescription food the rest of his life. At 16 he developed kidney disease, which we treated with prescription diet and fluids 3 times a week. 16 1/2 he developed cataracts and lost vision within a few months. His hearing was still good. Whenever he was sick he went to the vet, and I credit them with helping us go so far. If I had not been so stupid and fed him from our table, he would have hardly had any problems till 16.

I hope I get lucky with Ripley and get to share a long life with her as well.

erika1948 · 01-30-2014, 10:27 AM

My yorkie, Rocky, was 17 on December 10. I got him at a pet store. He started going deaf/blind around 13, has arthritis and is probably a little demented. He has eaten anything and everything during his lifetime except for anything poisonous to dogs. For kibble he always ate Iams Little Bits and once in awhile he will still eat some although his remaining teeth are not good anymore. Right now he wants milk in the morning and Royal Canin gastro food - has to be something soft. Sometimes he will eat a little bit of scrambled egg. For dinner he will eat chicken but not if it's dry and anything I have to eat. He has a fantastic constitution. I am taking him for his annual checkup in about 3 weeks and am debating about getting him a distemper shot. He does not seem to want his heartworm pill any more so I do not force him. Sometimes he doesn't want his Cosequin for arthritis. I don't think I will keep him on Frontline any longer. Not sure about getting the lyme shot this year. I don't want to do anything to put him over the edge. I have had him longer than any other dog. I love him to death and during the last six months he will actual cuddle up with me at night under the blankets which is great because for a few years he would want down off the bed multiple times during the night. I think my adopting another dog 2 years ago has helped to keep him going although she bosses him around. It will be very hard when I lose him.

gsalsa06 · 01-30-2014, 10:32 AM

My lil guy is 16 1/2 lbs. He is 3 1/2 lbs, never been bigger than 6lbs. He developed cataracts quite a few yrs ago. He started to decline a few months after he turned 16. Managing his bad teeth has always been a struggle and I think it finally caused an infection. Cleared that up and got results on kidney disease which I guess is very common. Also, once a day or every other day siezures have started (maybe from kidney) From tons of research, I am now giving him a homemade kidney diet, 20% fat hamburger,white rice cooked in butter and egg whites. Also on epatakin (phosphorous blocker). I am giving him DMG liquid (natural approach to siezures and other great benefits) Also ubiquinol cq10, another great benefit for aging dog and B12 w/ folic acid. I wished I would of gave him B2 years ago, helps with eye problems. I've just started all this treatment and we shall see and it was way overdue. He has bounced back alot, eating more and gaining wt. Siezure meds was horrendous on him and we thought this was it, but he is now off them and doing so much better. We are hoping siezures don't get worse and its a byproduct of other ailments and hope to clear it all up. Good Luck to you.

yorkietalkjilly · 01-30-2014, 10:41 AM

My Jilly lived to just over 13 despite being born the runt of the litter and having a series of medical problems, especially early on in her life, though she still had GI issues all of her life. Once we got the worst of her emergency-type GI issues were solved for the most part with diet and medication, she lived a relatively normal life but was getting slower from some arthritis which I think could have been from her much jumping and repetitive landing. She just had to be up on the couch or bed with me and was an active little dog so that meant she jumped or bounded up and down her doggie steps at least a dozen times each day and some days many more times day after day for her whole life. Eventually, the right shoulder joint in her tiny 3.4 lb. frame just gave out on one step down on her doggie steps as I was watching and she went down with a dislocated shoulder, requiring emergency surgery. I decided from that point on I would provide any older small dog a ramp rather than doggie steps to help save those tiny joints. A ramp seems much kinder on the repetitive impact and stress to the joint.

gsalsa06 · 01-30-2014, 10:59 AM

Oh and I forgot to say he went almost completely blind. Once he got over being so scared he walks around a lil now.

pawever Yorkie · 01-30-2014, 08:38 PM

There's a lady who lives around my block, and her yorkie is 17!
Little furbaby is about 5lb and still looks like a pup.
no limping, no cataracts, no health issues whatsoever, except some hairless…
I think lady feeds her science diet & gives her lots of exercise( I see her walking her everywhere) other than that nothing special.
My dear grandmother lived till 97, despite drinking & heavy smoking(2 packs a day

) all through out her life. She never had any health issues.
I believe gene must play great role in one's health.

Sammy Mommy · 01-31-2014, 05:01 AM

My sweet Sammy lived to three days before his 13th birthday. He always ate dry rx diet for breakfast and canned rx diet for dinner. He would have a little bit of chicken as a treat once in awhile. He liked pieces of lettuce, carrot and loved to eat raspberries right off the bush in the backyard. (I cut the raspberry bush down like I always do and it never grew back after my Sam died). He had epilepsy since he was a year old and took meds for that. Other than grade 1 LP, he had no other problems til the end when he had renal failure.

12-26-2013, 06:01 AM	#1
vickyfan Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Lisle, IL Posts: 14	Long-lived Yorkie (for owners who has Yorkies live 13 years or older) Hi, I wonder if anyone who has Yorkies that live 13 years or order can share their secrets of keeping their dog healthy!!!! Please share: 1. Eating habits-- what brand of kibbles do you feed your beloved Yorkie? How often do you use canned food? Do you use any dehydrated food, eg honest kitchen? 2. Any brand of vitamin that you use? Thanks so much for sharing. I also often take my puppy for a walk as well.

12-26-2013, 07:23 AM	#2
dollydoodle Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 1,154	Bumping because I'm interested in this, too. Also, for those of you with older Yorkies, can you let us know how their eyesight, hearing & other health concerns are developing/declining? Thank you. (My Dolly is 10 & still healthy & active as a young dog.) __________________ Annie, Mom of Dolly Teena & RIP Sweet Roxie

12-26-2013, 07:59 AM	#4
Ellie May And Rylee Finnegan Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Metro Detroit, MI Posts: 17,928	Ellie is only 12.5, but... Her labs are near perfect (rechecking after UtI clears). She has a long list of medical problems that could easily turn into something major, but she is managed (IBD/severe food sensitivities, food allergies, possible focal MVD, pancreatitis, chronic aural yeast infections, mild LP, history of periodontal disease, spinal arthritis, IVDD, possible CT, and just got an umbilical hernia to top it off). Point is, her blood is still normal and she is happy. She looks amazing. It is all about management. Her spine is very unhappy all throughout and that is my biggest concern. She has eaten exclusively Purina HA for two years. No vitamins, ever. Cognition is perfect. Hearing is normal. Vision is normal except possible slight reduction in the dark. Severe nuclear sclerosis. Minimally (but adequately) vaccinated. Interceptor or Sentinel year-round. My advice is to pay attention to your dogs. Do routine labs. Don't be afraid of rx food. Quality of life over quantity. Push for answers when something is wrong. Don't feed every concoction or supplement on the market in an attempt to prevent or cure disease. You will just be burning a hole in your pocket. __________________ Crystal, Ellie May (RIP), Rylee Finnegan, and Gracie Boo🐶

12-26-2013, 08:28 AM	#5
Patti Donating YT 30K Club Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 35,509 Blog Entries: 6	I had 2 yorkies die at 13. One from cancer and one from kidney failure and my pom died right at age 13 from Cushing's disease. Karma died in '83 and Zorro in 1991. Back then I didn't know much about good diet and routine testing that is done now. I had Nikki a rescue that I took in when his elderly owner had a stroke. He was found on the streets of Chicago so no history is known. He was guesstimated to be close to 18-19 years old when he died of kidney failure. He was always skinny and my vet felt he had been abused from some scarring in his ears and knots on his rib cage. When I got him he was about 15. His eyesight and hearing was poor and I had to have all his teeth pulled. Over the 2 1/2 years I had him, he went completely blind and deaf and slept most of the time. Even though he was blind he would find his way down the ramp off the bed to the potty pads and down the hall to the kitchen to eat. Sometimes with Pixie guiding him. He never had an accident. I had never had a very senior dog and it was very rewarding. I don't know how people can dump their senior dogs at shelters and I see it all the time. I am hoping with good diet and vet care my girls will live long lives. __________________ Cali Pixie Roxie : RIP Nikki; RIP Maya;RIP my sweet Dixie girl 1/17/08 http://callipuppyscastle.bravehost.com/index.html

01-30-2014, 09:37 AM	#9
xFoxyx Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Duluth, GA Posts: 568	Presley was almost 17 and a half before we sent him to the bridge.. I honestly can not tell you why he lived so long. I had him before the internet and had no clue on what to feed him. The first seven years he got eukanuba and we did feed him from the table. Until he developed pancreatitis then he was on prescription food the rest of his life. At 16 he developed kidney disease, which we treated with prescription diet and fluids 3 times a week. 16 1/2 he developed cataracts and lost vision within a few months. His hearing was still good. Whenever he was sick he went to the vet, and I credit them with helping us go so far. If I had not been so stupid and fed him from our table, he would have hardly had any problems till 16. I hope I get lucky with Ripley and get to share a long life with her as well. __________________ _______________________________________ Proud Mommy to Presley (RIP), Ripley Skye . and Chloe Belle RIP my beautiful boy, Presley. 8/96 to 1/14

12-26-2013, 07:57 AM	#3
Yorkiemom1 Rosehill Yorkies Donating YT Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Houston Texas Posts: 9,462	While the care and nurturing and feeding are important in how happy and well adjusted your Yorkie will be during his/her life, the most important factor in longevity of any living creature, human or animal, is genetic. Some people live longer than others, some dogs live longer than others. The secret to longevity is in what is behind your baby.....how long did the dogs behind your dog, live? If your baby came from a long line of dogs that live 13 years or longer, chances are in your favor that your baby will also live a good long time. This is exactly why breeders that breed specific lines, concentrate on conformation, health, personality and longevity. This is what you get when you buy your dog from reputable breeders, rather than from pet stores, puppy mills, yard sales, flea markets, etc.

12-26-2013, 02:29 PM	#6
ShowGirlLola YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: NJ Posts: 1,354	My family has been very lucky in this aspect. Yorkie- put to sleep at 18, got from a breeder, liver problems as a pup but that cleared up, he was healthy except for the last year when he lost control of his bladder and then bowels, he was put to sleep Mutt (Heinz 57, ~35lbs)- put to sleep at 18, from a petstore, very healthy, had a very sudden decline one day Poodle- 14.5, back yard breeder, healthy, sudden decline one day, died that night, vet doesn't know why Poodle- 15.5, byb, other poodles littermate, had epilepsy, CHF, and leukemia Westie- my aunt's dog, I think she was 13-14 when she died, she had diabetes Westie- my aunt's dog, she's still alive at 13, no major medical problems, the other westie was her mom We've had dogs prior to these that died younger, but the only one who died young that was bought after the 80's was hit by a car (my aunt's dog). They were all fed less than wonderful food (mighty dog, cesars, beneful, etc), a good bit of human food, and no vitamins. They were taken to the vet as needed. I don't remember the exacts with the hearing and eyesight, I know my 4 had trouble towards the end but got along well.

01-30-2014, 07:50 AM	#8
maryj Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: clearwater, fl usa Posts: 36	My Toby lived 13.5. He was barely 5#. I took him running often and carried him around everywhere I went. He was a finicky eater, and I fed him chicken a lot to get him to eat. I never knew about grainfree,organic etc for pups back then. His teeth were decayed, and after cleaning once, the anesthia bothered him so I never did it again. He stopped all vaccines at about 10. He lost hearing and seeing but it didn't interfere with his quality of life--other than not seeing the squirrels to chase. and he didn't want to walk much. No other health problems until he developed cancerous lumps. I was told they could be removed and when I did it, he never fully was able to walk on his back leg. He just laid around and slept and I knew it was time to let him go.

01-30-2014, 10:27 AM	#10
erika1948 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Poughkeepsie, NY Posts: 139	Long living Yorkies My yorkie, Rocky, was 17 on December 10. I got him at a pet store. He started going deaf/blind around 13, has arthritis and is probably a little demented. He has eaten anything and everything during his lifetime except for anything poisonous to dogs. For kibble he always ate Iams Little Bits and once in awhile he will still eat some although his remaining teeth are not good anymore. Right now he wants milk in the morning and Royal Canin gastro food - has to be something soft. Sometimes he will eat a little bit of scrambled egg. For dinner he will eat chicken but not if it's dry and anything I have to eat. He has a fantastic constitution. I am taking him for his annual checkup in about 3 weeks and am debating about getting him a distemper shot. He does not seem to want his heartworm pill any more so I do not force him. Sometimes he doesn't want his Cosequin for arthritis. I don't think I will keep him on Frontline any longer. Not sure about getting the lyme shot this year. I don't want to do anything to put him over the edge. I have had him longer than any other dog. I love him to death and during the last six months he will actual cuddle up with me at night under the blankets which is great because for a few years he would want down off the bed multiple times during the night. I think my adopting another dog 2 years ago has helped to keep him going although she bosses him around. It will be very hard when I lose him.

01-30-2014, 10:32 AM	#11
gsalsa06 YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Long Beach, CA USA Posts: 3	My lil guy is 16 1/2 lbs. He is 3 1/2 lbs, never been bigger than 6lbs. He developed cataracts quite a few yrs ago. He started to decline a few months after he turned 16. Managing his bad teeth has always been a struggle and I think it finally caused an infection. Cleared that up and got results on kidney disease which I guess is very common. Also, once a day or every other day siezures have started (maybe from kidney) From tons of research, I am now giving him a homemade kidney diet, 20% fat hamburger,white rice cooked in butter and egg whites. Also on epatakin (phosphorous blocker). I am giving him DMG liquid (natural approach to siezures and other great benefits) Also ubiquinol cq10, another great benefit for aging dog and B12 w/ folic acid. I wished I would of gave him B2 years ago, helps with eye problems. I've just started all this treatment and we shall see and it was way overdue. He has bounced back alot, eating more and gaining wt. Siezure meds was horrendous on him and we thought this was it, but he is now off them and doing so much better. We are hoping siezures don't get worse and its a byproduct of other ailments and hope to clear it all up. Good Luck to you.

01-30-2014, 10:41 AM	#12
yorkietalkjilly ♥ Love My Tibbe! ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: D/FW, Texas Posts: 22,140	My Jilly lived to just over 13 despite being born the runt of the litter and having a series of medical problems, especially early on in her life, though she still had GI issues all of her life. Once we got the worst of her emergency-type GI issues were solved for the most part with diet and medication, she lived a relatively normal life but was getting slower from some arthritis which I think could have been from her much jumping and repetitive landing. She just had to be up on the couch or bed with me and was an active little dog so that meant she jumped or bounded up and down her doggie steps at least a dozen times each day and some days many more times day after day for her whole life. Eventually, the right shoulder joint in her tiny 3.4 lb. frame just gave out on one step down on her doggie steps as I was watching and she went down with a dislocated shoulder, requiring emergency surgery. I decided from that point on I would provide any older small dog a ramp rather than doggie steps to help save those tiny joints. A ramp seems much kinder on the repetitive impact and stress to the joint. __________________ Jeanie and Tibbe One must do the best one can. You may get some marks for a very imperfect answer: you will certainly get none for leaving the question alone. C. S. Lewis

01-30-2014, 10:59 AM	#13
gsalsa06 YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Long Beach, CA USA Posts: 3	Oh and I forgot to say he went almost completely blind. Once he got over being so scared he walks around a lil now.

01-30-2014, 08:38 PM	#14
pawever Yorkie Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2009 Location: New York, NY USA Posts: 429	There's a lady who lives around my block, and her yorkie is 17! Little furbaby is about 5lb and still looks like a pup. no limping, no cataracts, no health issues whatsoever, except some hairless… I think lady feeds her science diet & gives her lots of exercise( I see her walking her everywhere) other than that nothing special. My dear grandmother lived till 97, despite drinking & heavy smoking(2 packs a day) all through out her life. She never had any health issues. I believe gene must play great role in one's health. __________________ "EVERYDAY'S A YORKIE DAY" www.hopeforpaws.org www.yorkiehavenrescue.com www.SaveAyorkieRescue.org

01-31-2014, 05:01 AM	#15
Sammy Mommy Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: New York Posts: 3,896	My sweet Sammy lived to three days before his 13th birthday. He always ate dry rx diet for breakfast and canned rx diet for dinner. He would have a little bit of chicken as a treat once in awhile. He liked pieces of lettuce, carrot and loved to eat raspberries right off the bush in the backyard. (I cut the raspberry bush down like I always do and it never grew back after my Sam died). He had epilepsy since he was a year old and took meds for that. Other than grade 1 LP, he had no other problems til the end when he had renal failure.