Yorkie Health Issues

Congenital blood vessel abnormality where blood bypasses the liver instead of being filtered. Yorkies are one of the top-3 most-affected breeds with roughly 3% incidence. Symptoms typically appear by 6 months: stunted growth, neurological signs after meals (circling, head pressing, seizures), copper-colored urine, post-meal lethargy or confusion. Diagnosis: bile acid testing (paired pre/post-meal blood draw) is the screening tool, ultrasound or CT confirms shunt location. Treatment: surgery to ligate the shunt costs $5,000–$12,000 in Calgary at specialty surgical clinics (VCA Canada West, Western Veterinary Specialist Centre). Medical management with low-protein diet + lactulose can extend life if surgery isn't possible. Untreated severe shunts are life-shortening; treated ones can have normal lifespans.

Severe and almost universal. Approximately 80% of Yorkies have dental disease by age 3 — among the highest rates of any breed. Cause: small jaw with the standard 42 dog teeth means severe overcrowding, retained baby teeth, and food trap pockets that breed bacteria. Yorkies often need professional dental cleanings every 6–12 months (vs every 1–2 years for most breeds), with extractions of badly diseased teeth. Calgary dental cleaning cost: $500–$1,500 depending on extractions. Lifetime dental care for a Yorkie often runs $5,000–$10,000+. Prevention: daily tooth brushing with dog-safe toothpaste from puppyhood, VOHC-approved dental chews, regular vet exams. Untreated dental disease causes systemic inflammation linked to heart and kidney disease.

Hypoglycemia (dangerously low blood sugar) is a true emergency in Yorkie puppies under 6 months. Tiny bodies (4–7 lbs adult, often 1–3 lbs as puppies) have minimal glucose stores. Skipping a meal, stress, cold, or excessive play can drop blood sugar within hours. Symptoms: weakness, wobbliness, glazed eyes, cold to touch, seizures, collapse. Emergency treatment: rub corn syrup, honey, or Karo syrup on the gums (NOT down the throat — aspiration risk), warm the puppy, get to vet immediately. Prevention: feed every 3–4 hours under 4 months, never skip meals, keep glucose gel ($6 at any pharmacy) on hand. Adult Yorkies under 4 lbs (“teacup” sizes) can remain at hypoglycemia risk for life — another reason to avoid teacup labeling.

Hip joint degeneration where blood supply to the femoral head fails, causing the bone to die and collapse. Yorkies and other small terriers are over-represented. Onset typically 4–12 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 allows scar tissue to form a “false joint.” Cost in Calgary: $2,500–$4,500 at general practice, more at specialty. Recovery: 4–8 weeks crate rest + physical therapy. Most Yorkies do extremely well post-FHO due to small size — many are pain-free and fully active within 2–3 months. Catch it early.

Same reason as Pomeranians — Yorkies are highly prone to tracheal collapse, where the cartilage rings supporting the windpipe weaken or flatten. Pressure from a collar accelerates the damage. 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 for leash attachment. The chronic “honking” cough is the early warning sign. See our Pomeranian health guide for a deeper tracheal collapse breakdown — same condition, same management.

Yes — estimated 15–25% of Yorkies have some degree. Graded 1–4. Calgary luxating patella surgery: $3,000–$5,000 per knee. Many Grade 1–2 cases managed without surgery using weight control, joint supplements, limited high-impact activity (no jumping off furniture). See the Pomeranian health guide for the same condition with a full grade-by-grade breakdown — toy breeds share this issue.

Yorkies live 13–16 years and cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS, “doggy dementia”) affects roughly 28% of dogs 11–12 years old and over 60% of dogs 15–16 years. DISHA symptoms: Disorientation, Interactions altered, Sleep cycle changes, House soiling, Activity changes. Treatment options: prescription Anipryl (selegiline), supplements (omega-3, SAMe, vitamin E), enrichment (puzzle feeders), maintaining routine. Calgary specialty vet behaviorists at Sentient Veterinary Care can help with severe cases. Early intervention slows progression.

A small Yorkie emergency kit:
(1) Karo syrup or glucose gel (hypoglycemia in puppies and small adults)
(2) Pet first aid kit with vet wrap and saline
(3) Phone numbers programmed in: regular vet, Calgary 24-hour emergency clinic (Paramount, VCA Canada West, CARE Centre), Pet Poison Helpline 1-855-764-7661
(4) Current photo of your dog with weight noted (Yorkie weight matters for medication dosing)
(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–$12,000+

Yes — Yorkies are one of the breeds where insurance reliably pays for itself. The combination of liver shunt risk ($5K–$12K), Legg-Calve-Perthes ($2.5K–$4.5K), luxating patella surgery ($3K–$5K per knee), tracheal collapse stenting if severe ($5K–$10K), dental cleanings every 6–12 months ($500–$1,500 each), and senior care means most Yorkies will exceed their lifetime premium contributions in vet costs. Enrol before symptoms appear — pre-existing conditions are excluded across every Canadian provider. Calgary average: $35–$55/month for a young healthy Yorkie with $300 deductible / 80% coinsurance / $15,000 limit.