Yorkie Health Issues

Symptoms typically appear by 6 months. Stunted growth so the Yorkie is much smaller than littermates. Neurological signs after meals such as circling, head pressing, and seizures. Copper-coloured urine. Post-meal lethargy or confusion. Urinary tract issues.

Diagnosis. Bile acid testing is the screening tool. Vets take a paired blood draw before and after a meal. Ultrasound or CT then confirms the shunt location.

Treatment. Surgery to ligate the shunt runs $5,000 to $12,000 in Calgary at specialty surgical clinics such as VCA Canada West and Western Veterinary Specialist Centre. Medical management with a low-protein diet plus lactulose can extend life when surgery is not possible.

Untreated severe shunts are life-shortening. Treated dogs can have normal lifespans.

Many Calgary rescues now bile-acid screen Yorkie surrenders before adoption, especially puppies and young adults. If you are adopting a Yorkie under 18 months and the rescue has not tested, ask. Calgary cost runs roughly $200 to $300 at a GP vet.

The cause is simple. A tiny jaw holding the standard 42 dog teeth means crowded teeth, retained baby teeth, and food trap pockets that breed bacteria.

Yorkies often need professional dental cleanings every 6 to 12 months. Most breeds only need them every 1 to 2 years. Badly diseased teeth need extraction.

Calgary dental cleaning cost: $500 to $1,500 depending on how many extractions are needed. Lifetime dental care for a Yorkie often runs $5,000 to $10,000 or more.

Prevention. Brush daily with dog-safe toothpaste from puppyhood. Start week one of adoption. Use VOHC-approved dental chews. Book an oral exam at every vet visit.

Untreated dental disease causes body-wide inflammation linked to heart and kidney disease. Many Yorkie heart and kidney problems trace back to neglected teeth.

Skipping a meal, stress, cold, or hard play can drop blood sugar within hours.

Symptoms come on fast. Weakness, wobbliness, glazed eyes, cold to the touch, seizures, collapse.

Emergency treatment. Rub corn syrup, honey, or Karo syrup on the gums (NOT down the throat because of aspiration risk). Warm the puppy. Get to a vet immediately.

Prevention. Feed every 3 to 4 hours under 4 months. Never skip meals. Keep glucose gel ($6 at any pharmacy) on hand.

Most puppies grow out of the risk by 6 months. Adult Yorkies under 4 lbs (“teacup” sizes from unethical breeding) can stay at hypoglycemia risk for life. That is another reason to avoid the teacup label.

Onset typically 4 to 12 months.

Symptoms. Progressive lameness in one rear leg. Muscle wasting on the affected side. Pain on hip manipulation.

Diagnosis. X-ray.

Treatment. Usually femoral head ostectomy (FHO) surgery. Removing the dead bone lets scar tissue form a “false joint.”

Cost in Calgary: $2,500 to $4,500 at general practice. Specialty clinics charge more. Recovery is 4 to 8 weeks of crate rest plus physical therapy.

Most Yorkies do extremely well after FHO because of their small size. Many are pain-free and fully active within 2 to 3 months. Catch it early. Chronic untreated LCP causes permanent gait changes and arthritis.

Use a back-clip harness for daily walks. Front-clip harnesses are fine for training but watch for chest pressure. Collars are okay for ID tags only. Never use them for leash attachment.

The chronic “honking” cough is the early warning sign. If your Yorkie develops it, see your vet, switch to a harness right away if you have not already, and look at weight management. Overweight dogs have worse tracheal collapse symptoms.

See our Pomeranian health guide for a deeper tracheal collapse breakdown. Same condition, same management.

Graded 1 to 4.

• Grade 1. Occasional skip step. No surgery.
• Grade 2. More frequent slips. Conservative management.
• Grade 3. Frequently dislocated. Surgery is often recommended.
• Grade 4. Permanently dislocated. Surgery is required.

Calgary luxating patella surgery: $3,000 to $5,000 per knee at a board-certified surgeon.

Many Grade 1 to 2 cases are managed without surgery using weight control, joint supplements, and limited high-impact activity (no jumping off furniture).

See the Pomeranian health guide for a full grade-by-grade breakdown. Toy breeds share this issue.

DISHA symptoms.

• Disorientation. Getting lost in familiar rooms. Staring at walls.
• Interactions altered. Less affectionate. More anxious or withdrawn.
• Sleep cycle changes. Pacing at night. Sleeping more by day.
• House soiling. Despite previous house training.
• Activity changes. Less play, more restlessness, repeated circling.

Treatment options. Prescription Anipryl (selegiline). Supplements such as omega-3, SAMe, and vitamin E. Enrichment through puzzle feeders and gentle play. Hold a steady routine. Doggy diapers help with nighttime accidents.

Calgary specialty vet behaviourists at Sentient Veterinary Care can help with severe cases. Early intervention slows progression.

1. Karo syrup or glucose gel for hypoglycemia in puppies and small adults.
2. Pet first aid kit with vet wrap and saline.
3. Phone numbers programmed in. Your regular vet. A Calgary 24-hour emergency clinic (Paramount, VCA Canada West, CARE Centre). Pet Poison Helpline at 1-855-764-7661.
4. Current photo of your dog with weight noted. Yorkie weight matters for medication dosing at the ER.
5. Carrier or harness within easy reach.
6. Pet insurance card or vet financing info (CareCredit, ScratchPay). Yorkie liver shunt and patella surgeries often run $3,000 to $12,000+.

See our Calgary emergency vet guide for the full clinic directory.

Add it all up: liver shunt risk ($5K to $12K), Legg-Calve-Perthes ($2.5K to $4.5K), luxating patella surgery ($3K to $5K per knee), tracheal collapse stenting in severe cases ($5K to $10K), dental cleanings every 6 to 12 months ($500 to $1,500 each), and senior care.

Most Yorkies pass their lifetime premium contributions in vet costs.

Enrol before symptoms appear. Pre-existing conditions are excluded across every Canadian provider. Calgary average: $35 to $55 a month for a young healthy Yorkie with a $300 deductible, 80% coinsurance, and a $15,000 limit.