Although you can't guarantee your little love bug won't experience tracheal collapse, one way to avoid it is by never using a leash attached to a collar. From puppyhood, always use a harness and leash when taking your Yorkie out. That way he can't pull against the leash to chase a squirrel or when undertaking serious Yorkie sniffing and investigative work.
Don't let your Yorkie become overweight, as extra pounds add to respiratory difficulties. Jane Meggitt has been a writer for more than 20 years.
In addition to reporting for a major newspaper chain, she has been published in "Horse News," "Suburban Classic," "Hoof Beats," "Equine Journal" and other publications. Dog Health. By Jane Meggitt. Tracheal Collapse While little dogs in general are prone to tracheal collapse, Yorkshire terriers are the most commonly affected, according to Web MD.
Symptoms In addition to the telltale cough, other signs of tracheal collapse include exercise intolerance and fainting spells.
Treatment Your vet can treat milder cases of tracheal collapse non-invasively, with bronchodilators, steroids, anti-inflammatories and cough suppressants. Prevention Although you can't guarantee your little love bug won't experience tracheal collapse, one way to avoid it is by never using a leash attached to a collar.
Eye Problems Not many things have as dramatic an impact on your dog's quality of life as the proper functioning of his eyes.
Cataracts are a common cause of blindness in older Yorkies. Many dogs adjust well to losing their vision and get along just fine. Surgery to remove cataracts and restore sight may also be an option. KCS reduces the amount of fluid produced by the tear glands such that they are no longer able to keep the eyes moist. This results in sore, itchy eyes and infections. Symptoms of KCS include a dull, dry appearance or thick discharge from the eyes, squinting, and pawing at the eyes.
Heart Disease Yorkshire Terriers are prone to multiple types of heart disease , which can occur both early and later in life. Yorkies are susceptible to a condition called patent ductus arteriosus, or PDA, in which a small vessel that carries blood between two parts of the heart does not close as it should shortly after birth. This results in too much blood being carried to the lungs, causing fluid build-up and strain on the heart. Outward signs may be mild or severe, including coughing, fatigue during exercise, weight loss, shortness of breath, and weakness in the hind limbs.
If your pal has this condition, we may recommend surgery to close the problematic vessel. Heart failure is a leading cause of death among Yorkshire Terriers in their golden years.
Most heart disease in dogs is caused by the weakening or slow deformity of heart valves such that they no longer close tightly; blood then leaks back around these weakened valves, straining the heart. Pets with heart valve disease sometimes called mitral valve disease have a heart murmur. The same tests will need to be repeated at least every year to monitor the condition. Veterinary dental care and fatty acid supplementation can also help prevent heart disease, and weight control can help diminish symptoms.
Bone and Joint Problems A number of different musculoskeletal problems have been reported in Yorkshire Terriers. Sometimes your Yorkie's kneecap patella may slip out of place. This is called patellar luxation. You might notice that your pet, while running, suddenly picks up a back leg or skips and hops for a few strides.
He might then kick his leg out sideways to pop the kneecap back in place. These are common signs of patellar luxation. If the problem is mild and involves only one leg, your friend may not require much treatment beyond arthritis medication. When symptoms are severe, surgery may be needed to realign the kneecap to keep it from luxating further. Young Yorkshire Terriers may be prone to a painful degenerative hip condition called Legg-Calve-Perthes disease. The exact cause of this condition is still not completely understood, but it is thought to be caused by a reduced blood supply to the hip, which causes the femoral head the top of the thigh bone to become brittle and fracture easily.
Usually occurring between six and nine months of age, LCP causes pain and lameness in one or both rear legs, and often requires surgery. The disease is caused when the jelly-like cushion between one or more vertebrae slips or ruptures, causing the disc to press on the spinal cord. If your dog is suddenly unable or unwilling to jump or go up stairs, is reluctant to move around, has a hunched back, cries out, or refuses to eat or go potty, he is likely in severe pain.
He may even experience sudden paralysis—he may drag his back feet or be unable to get up or use his back legs. Call us at or call an emergency clinic immediately! For less severe cases, rest and medication may resolve the problem. And as with so many other diseases, weight control helps reduce the risk of IVDD. You should also provide ramps or steps for your pet from puppyhood on to prevent your dog from stressing his back by jumping on and off of the furniture.
Bladder or Kidney Stones There are a few different types of stones that can form in the kidney or in the bladder, and Yorkshire Terriers are more likely to develop them than other breeds. Diabetes Diabetes mellitus is a fairly common disease in dogs. Allergies In humans, allergies to pollen, mold, or dust make people sneeze. Bleeding Disorders There are several types of inherited bleeding disorders that occur in dogs.
Retained Puppy Teeth Dogs normally begin to lose their primary " puppy " teeth at around 4 months of age. Tracheal Collapse The trachea, or windpipe, is made up of rings of cartilage that look similar to the ridged hose of a vacuum cleaner. Low Blood Sugar Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is a common condition in young, small-breed dogs, like your Yorkie.
Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis Most commonly seen in small and toy breeds like your Yorkie, hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, or HGE, is a serious and sometimes fatal disease in dogs that is characterized by bloody diarrhea, vomiting, and severe dehydration.
Taking Care of Your Yorkshire Terrier at Home Much of what you can do to keep your dog happy and healthy is common sense, just like it is for people. Routine Care, Diet, and Exercise Build her routine care into your schedule to help your Yorkie live longer, stay healthier, and be happier during her lifetime.
Supervise your pet as you would a toddler. Keep doors closed, pick up after yourself, and block off rooms as necessary. Daily brushing and regular trimming is recommended to prevent mats and keep her long coat beautiful. Clean her ears weekly, even as a puppy. Highly active indoors, she is well suited to apartment living and traveling. She has a tendency to chase small animals; always leash walk your Yorkie.
A harness is recommended! Can be sensitive to cold, so a warm winter wardrobe is necessary. Feed a high-quality diet appropriate for her age. What to Watch For Any abnormal symptom could be a sign of serious disease or it could just be a minor or temporary problem. About Visit our office to get the latest in top-quality veterinary care along with unparalleled service. Charleston, WV Phone: Email: staff valleywestvets. Elkview, WV Phone: Email: staff elkvalleyvets. Versions of bronchodilators that are rapid acting with short-term effects, such as salbutamol and albuterol, may be used in cases of respiratory distress to open constricted airways.
These short acting bronchodilator medications should not be used as the only therapy as they do not treat the underlying inflammation. In some cases, a long-acting inhaled bronchodilator may be prescribed in a combination format with an inhaled steroid.
An example of this is Advair HFA GSK , which includes the long acting bronchodilator salmeterol and the inhaled corticosteroid fluticasone. Keep administering medication as prescribed by your veterinarian even in the absence of symptoms to keep inflammation down and prevent progressive lung damage.
Small dogs are at a greater risk of experiencing a collapsed trachea. This is when the cartilage rings that partially encircle the trachea weaken and are no longer strong enough to support the trachea.
It collapses on itself creating a narrow passageway that air is forced through producing a tell-tale honking sound similar to a goose honk. Tracheal collapse causes irritation and a chronic cough. Dogs with the condition will often also have exercise intolerance, respiratory distress, and may gag while eating or drinking.
In particular, inhaled bronchodilators e. Other treatment options may include medications that suppress coughing and treat secondary infections. In severe cases surgery may be required. Coughing may be a sign of heart disease in dogs. Other symptoms to look for include a blue tinged tongue, reduced appetite, tiredness, weakness, lower endurance, rapid or depressed heartbeat, and difficulty breathing. Take your dog to the vet if you notice these symptoms. If already diagnosed with heart disease, pay attention to when your dog is coughing.
If your dog coughs when he is resting, lying down, or asleep, it could be a sign of a worsening condition. Small dogs and flat-faced brachycephalic breeds may make cough-like or choking sounds caused by what is termed reversed sneezing. While not actually a cough, reverse sneezing is triggered by an irritant that causes the throat and soft palate to spasm. Irritants can include postnasal drainage, foreign material, excitement, exercise, a too tight collar, or sudden change in temperature.
Generally, reverse sneezing does not require a visit to your veterinarian. However, if they become severe or frequent then your dog should be taken to the animal clinic to diagnose for other potential health complications.
Sometimes dogs may inhale foreign objects or material that gets lodged in their airways. There are other conditions that can cause your dog to cough. In these cases, the cough is just the symptom of the other condition. Examples include heartworm disease and some types of cancer.
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