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submitted: Sep 4th 2008 | by: SusanBailey | Total views: 1 | Word Count: 507 | |

There are many benefits to having a Yorkshire Terrier, but you still need to be on the lookout for some common Yorkshire Terrier health problems. Yorkshire Terrier health problems are typically inherited, congenital or acquired. Due to continued research and selective breeding practices many of the Yorkshire Terrier health problems have become a thing of the past. However, in order to provide your dog with a happy and healthy life it is important that you know the most common Yorkshire Terrier health problems and their signs.

Many Yorkshire Terriers are affected by a common condition known as portosystemic shunts. With this condition the blood flows around the liver rather than to the liver, which leads to serious problems since a dog cannot remove the toxins from their body. The condition can be acquired or congenital, meaning that the condition can be present at birth or it can develop later in life. Typically dogs with this condition are small for their age or breed. Some other signs of this condition are excessive drinking, frequent urination and after eating they may show signs of depression, muscular incoordination, coma and seizures.

Hypothyroidism is another of the Yorkshire Terrier health problems that you want to educate yourself about. The thyroid gland produces a hormone that helps to speed up metabolism and is found in the neck. Hypothyroidism occurs when the gland stops functioning and it is one of the most common hormonal diseases in dogs.

It is still unknown what many of the causes are for hypothyroidism. The only known cause is when the immune system destroys the gland. Most of the time this disease affects middle-aged dogs. The first sign is typically hair loss and tests won't be able to link the hair loss to any other skin condition. Weight gain, muscle loss, lethargy and a tendency to seek heat are other symptoms that can occur. The signs are often simply attributed to the aging process of dogs and medical care is not sought as a result.

Often times the signs are attributed simply to the aging process of the dog and medical care is not sought. While it is not a life threatening condition, it can severely effect the pets quality of life and reduce the their overall number of years.

Renal failure is the last of the most common Yorkshire Terrier health problems. Healthy kidneys normally clear toxins in the blood and if a pet isn't drinking as much as they should then the kidneys will also helps to conserve water. A condition called chronic renal failure occurs when the kidneys begin to deteriorate which can cause serious health problems.

The hard part is that the signs are very vague which means the condition often mimics nearly any other condition. The condition is typically found in middle-aged to older Yorkshire Terriers and the signs to consider include excessive drinking or urination, weight loss, loss of appetite, vomiting or general signs that your pet is not feeling well.

Your veterinarian will be able to help you choose a diet that has reduced protein, phosphorous and salt.

About the Author

About the author: Susan Bailey is a passionate lover of the Yorkshire Terrier and has a popular website where you'll discover how to have a happy, healthy and well behaved Yorkshire Terrier. Among other topics there, you will find out more about Yorkshire Terrier Health Problems plus a whole lot more.

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