Yorkshire Terrier Diseases

They're small, spirited, and give us unforgettable moments. Yorkies belong to a breed with a very distinct character, but they're also prone to certain health conditions. And that's exactly the purpose of this article: to explain the most common conditions affecting Yorkshire Terriers.

To do this, we'll list the main conditions and explain what they involve and how they affect these dogs. It's important to know about these conditions so you can catch them in time if any of them show up.

Most Common Conditions in the Yorkshire Terrier Breed

The most common conditions affecting Yorkshire Terrier dogs are the following:

• Canine entropion. This is an eye malformation that causes the eyelids to fold inward, with the eyelashes rubbing against the cornea, causing irritation and redness; in more severe cases, it can even cause corneal ulcers. Depending on the age at which your dog develops entropion, the approach can range from hyaluronic acid injections to stitches or eyelid surgery: Detailed Information on Entropion.
• Retinal dysplasia. The retina is the layer covering the back of the eyeball. In dogs with this condition, a clinical exam can reveal external retinal folds. It can be congenital or the result of parvovirus, radiation exposure, or toxins. This condition can be unilateral or bilateral, often causing visual impairment or blindness.
• Tracheal collapse. This occurs when the trachea flattens, since the tracheal rings lose their firmness. One of the most obvious symptoms is a dry cough after eating, drinking, or exercising. Depending on the severity of the collapse, treatment can be medical or surgical. To prevent worsening the cough in diagnosed dogs, it's recommended to avoid obesity, avoid inhaled irritants like cigarette smoke, and use a harness instead of a collar.
• Portosystemic shunt. This usually appears when the Yorkie is still a puppy. It's a circulatory defect that causes blood not to be properly filtered (it bypasses the dog's liver), leading to brain toxicity. Your furry friend will show lethargy, depression, loss of appetite, and in more advanced cases, seizures may occur. The definitive way to correct this anomaly is through surgery.
• Patellar luxation. This is a displacement of the kneecap, often due to a malformation or trauma. It can start with small hopping movements you notice in your dog, which, if it worsens, can lead to limping. Puppies with severe luxation show a "bow-legged" appearance in the hind legs. Treatment varies depending on the degree of luxation. In milder cases, the vet can simply reposition the kneecap, while in other grades, surgery becomes necessary.

Besides these, there are other conditions that also affect Yorkshire Terrier dogs, though less frequently. Let's look at which ones in the next section.

Other Conditions in Yorkshire Terriers

Conditions affecting Yorkshire Terrier dogs, but with lower incidence than those described above, include:

• Hydrocephalus. This condition causes cerebrospinal fluid to build up in the brain, making the dog prone to abnormal behavior: seizures, vision problems, and pain. Generally, hydrocephalus can be treated with medication, and drainage may be needed to remove excess fluid.
• Alopecia. Yorkshire Terriers can be affected by a specific type of alopecia that causes the coat to grow unevenly, with hair loss. It can be managed with medication, diets rich in vitamin A and fatty acids. Your vet can also recommend a moisturizing, antiseptic shampoo, and in more severe cases, antibiotics and steroids.
• Progressive retinal atrophy. This is a progressive loss (initially affecting night vision) of function in certain retinal cells, in this case involving the photoreceptor function — in other words, the retina loses its ability to capture light, and since it can't send that information to the brain, your dog will gradually lose its sight. Progressive retinal atrophy, being a degenerative disease, calls for early diagnosis, since although it has no cure, your vet can recommend eye drops to help slow its progression.
• Cataracts. This is a fairly common condition, usually linked to age, though causes like diabetes and trauma can also cloud the lens (the natural lens through which your dog sees). If you look into your pet's eyes and can't see their pupils, they're likely suffering from cataracts. Symptoms of cataracts in dogs. The definitive treatment is surgical. It basically involves replacing your pet's lens. This surgery, though done under general anesthesia, usually doesn't come with postoperative complications.
• Dry eye (keratoconjunctivitis sicca). This appears when the eye is dry due to low tear production. It can be caused by a standalone condition or as a result of other systemic diseases. That's why it's so important to see your vet for a proper differential diagnosis. Depending on how long the condition has been present, it can cause irritation, ulcers, yellow-green discharge, scarring, and other vision problems or blindness. Your vet will diagnose it quite easily with a specific test for this purpose (the Schirmer test). Treatment mainly focuses on stimulating tear production. There are also stem cell regenerative therapies showing promising results.
• Congenital hypotrichosis. This skin condition causes coat loss due to a lack of hair follicles. It can also affect teething or the sweat glands, which control sweat production. It's usually diagnosed based on clinical signs, microscopic analysis of your pet's hair samples, and specific genetic testing.
• Urolithiasis. These are "stones" that form at different levels of the urinary system, causing irritation, colic, bleeding, and blockage of the urinary tract. It's generally caused by diets high in protein and minerals and low in fiber. If you notice your Terrier losing its appetite, vomiting, being thirstier, and urinating more frequently but in smaller amounts (polyuria), it's possible you're dealing with urolithiasis / kidney stones. See your vet, who will recommend the appropriate treatment depending on the type of stone, ranging from a special diet that helps dissolve them and adjust urine pH, to surgery, since some urinary stones, like oxalates, don't dissolve with conventional treatment and must be removed via surgery, laser, etc.
• Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease. This is a degenerative condition of the head and neck of the femur, leading to its collapse, with resulting limping, pain, and osteoarthritis. It can appear in puppies or young dogs of small breeds like Yorkshire Terriers. Treatment is surgical, often requiring full hip replacement. Post-surgical rehabilitation and pain management are vital.

As you can see, the list is extensive. Some conditions have a lower incidence than others. Besides these conditions, which can affect both sexes, there are others more closely tied to a specific gender.

Yorkshire Terrier Conditions Related to Gender

Among Yorkshire Terrier conditions related to the dog's gender, the following stand out:

• Cryptorchidism (or "retained testicles"). This issue can only occur, understandably, in male dogs. It happens when one or both testicles fail to descend from the abdomen into the scrotum. Unilateral cryptorchidism is more common. It's usually detected from around 6 months of age. Initially it produces no symptoms, but as the testicle's temperature rises (staying in the abdomen), it can, over the long term, lead to tumors and infertility. The treatment of choice in this case is neutering.
• Patent ductus arteriosus. This causes blood to circulate improperly through the heart, which can lead to terminal heart failure. It tends to affect females more, and requires emergency surgery within the first hours of life.

Let's continue by looking at the syndromes that can be diagnosed in the Yorkshire Terrier breed.

Syndromes Affecting Yorkshire Terriers

Lastly, there are two syndromes that Yorkshire Terrier dogs more commonly develop. These are:

• Cushing's syndrome. This is an endocrine disorder caused by an excess of the hormone cortisol. Symptoms generally appear gradually, which leads owners to attribute them to aging. Among the key changes you'll notice in your dog are: polyuria (urinating more than normal), polydipsia (more thirst than usual), increased appetite, fatigue, panting even at rest, weight loss, hair loss, poor wound healing, behavioral changes, among others. In many cases it's linked to the presence of a tumor, in others to excessive use of corticosteroid-based drug therapy. Treatment is usually pharmacological, and only in patients where conditions allow is surgery performed, with removal of the tumor. Complete information on Cushing's syndrome.
• Shaker syndrome. The most obvious sign in dogs affected by this condition is generalized full-body tremors. It arises from inflammation of the cerebellum, the part of the central nervous system responsible for coordinating movement and voluntary muscle contractions. These tremors are often mistaken for anxiety or low body temperature. Here's a simple way to identify it: if the tremors start and increase when your dog makes voluntary movements, for example, we're looking at a case of Shaker syndrome. It usually affects young dogs and can be treated with steroid-type medications.

Over the course of its life, a Yorkshire Terrier may develop any of these conditions, given its genetic predisposition. If you notice any abnormal symptom in your dog, whatever it may be, take it to the vet as soon as possible for an examination. Early diagnosis is key to a successful recovery from any health issue.