| Although there are many benefits to having a | | | | immune system destroys the gland. This disease |
| Yorkshire Terrier, there are still health problems that | | | | typically affects middle-aged dogs. |
| you should be aware of. Yorkshire Terrier health | | | | Most times the first sign will be hair loss that isn't linked |
| problems can either be inherited, congenital or acquired. | | | | to any other skin condition through testing. Other |
| However, many of Yorkshire Terrier health problems | | | | symptoms to look for include weight gain, muscle loss, |
| have become a thing of the past due to continued | | | | lethargy and a tendency to seek heat. Most of the |
| research and selective breeding practices. By knowing | | | | time medical care is not sought because the signs are |
| about the most common Yorkshire Terrier health | | | | often just attributed to the aging process of dogs. |
| problems and recognizing the signs you can make | | | | While the condition is not life threatening it can affect a |
| sure your dog has a happy and healthy life. | | | | pets quality of life and reduce their overall number of |
| One common condition that affects many Yorkshire | | | | years if the condition is left untreated. |
| Terriers is portosystemic shunts. This condition causes | | | | The last of the most common Yorkshire Terrier health |
| the blood to flow abnormally around the liver rather | | | | problems is renal failure. The kidneys help to clear the |
| than to the liver, which can cause serious problems. | | | | blood of any toxins and help conserve water if a pet |
| Yorkshire Terriers with this condition cannot remove | | | | isn't drinking as much as they should. If the kidneys |
| the toxins from their body. This condition can either be | | | | begin to deteriorate it leads to a condition called chronic |
| congenital or acquired, meaning either the dog is born | | | | renal failure, which can lead to serious health problems |
| with the condition or they can develop it later in life. A | | | | for your pet. Chronic renal failure can result from a |
| dog with this condition will be small for their age and | | | | variety of inherited or acquired disorders. The hard part |
| breed. Other signs include excessive drinking, frequent | | | | is that the signs are very vague which means the |
| urination and after eating they may show signs of | | | | condition often mimics nearly any other condition. |
| depression, muscular incoordination, coma and seizures. | | | | The condition is typically found in middle-aged to older |
| Another of the Yorkshire Terrier health problems that | | | | Yorkshire Terriers and the signs to consider include |
| you should educate yourself about it hypothyroidism. In | | | | excessive drinking or urination, weight loss, loss of |
| the neck there is a thyroid gland that produces a | | | | appetite, vomiting or general signs that your pet is not |
| hormone to help speed up metabolism. When the | | | | feeling well. If chronic renal failure is diagnosed soon |
| gland stops functioning hypothyroidism develops. It is | | | | enough then the progression of the disease can be |
| one of the most common hormonal conditions in dogs. | | | | slowed by dietary means. Your veterinarian will help |
| Many of the causes for hypothyroidism are still | | | | you feed your pet a diet that has reduced protein, |
| unknown, as the only known cause is when the | | | | phosphorous and salt. |