🍬  Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar)

Hypoglycemia means low blood sugar, and it’s common in small dogs like Yorkies — especially puppies or very tiny adults. Their small bodies use energy quickly, so if they skip a meal, play too hard, or get cold, their sugar levels can drop fast.

Watch for signs like:

• Shaking or weakness

• Acting tired or confused

• Refusing to eat

• Fainting or seizures (in severe cases)

What to do:
Rub a little honey or karo syrup on their gums, keep them warm, and offer food once they’re alert. Call your vet if it happens often or doesn’t improve.

Prevention tips:
Feed small, frequent meals, avoid skipping food, and always have a sweet source like honey nearby — just in case. Nutrical is a good supplement to prevent sugar crashes especially when pups first go to their new homes.

💖 With a little care and routine feeding, your Yorkie can stay happy, healthy, and full of energy!

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🍖  Liver Shunt

A liver shunt is a condition where blood bypasses the liver instead of being filtered through it. Since the liver removes toxins and helps with digestion, this can make your Yorkie feel sick.

Common signs:

• 🐾 Poor appetite or picky eating

• 💨 Vomiting or diarrhea

• 💤 Low energy or weakness

• 😕 Confusion, staring off, or acting “out of it,” especially after meals

• 🐶 Trouble walking, shaking, or seizures (in severe cases)

• 📉 Poor growth or staying smaller than expected as a puppy

• 👃 Unusual odor on breath or urine (from toxin buildup)

Diagnosis:

• Vets use a bile acid test to check how well the liver works, followed by scans if needed.

Treatment:
Some Yorkies do well with special diets and medication, while others may need surgery.

💖 With early care and vet support, many Yorkies with a liver shunt can still live happy, healthy lives!​​

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Microvascular Dysplasia (MVD) 

Microvascular Dysplasia (MVD) is a liver condition that’s fairly common in Yorkshire Terriers. It happens when the tiny blood vessels inside the liver don’t develop normally. Because of this, the liver doesn’t get enough blood flow to properly clean toxins from the body.

Many Yorkies with MVD have no obvious symptoms and live normal, healthy lives. In others, you might notice:

• Slow growth or being smaller than average

• Occasional vomiting or diarrhea

• Acting tired, confused, or “spacey” after eating

• Poor appetite

MVD is usually found through blood tests (like bile acid tests) or a liver biopsy. There’s no cure, but it can be managed with:

• A low-protein diet

• Medications (like lactulose or antibiotics) to reduce toxins

• Regular vet monitoring

With the right care, most Yorkies with MVD can live long, comfortable lives.

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👁️  Eye Issues

Yorkies can develop dry eyes, cataracts, or other vision problems, especially as they age.  Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) is also common in Yorkies. PRA is an inherited condition where the retina slowly loses function over time, leading to night blindness and eventually vision loss. There’s no cure for PRA, but early diagnosis helps you adjust your Yorkie’s environment to keep them safe and confident.

How to help:

• Keep the hair around their eyes trimmed and clean, and have your vet check their eyes during regular visits.

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Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease

This condition affects the hip joint, causing the thigh bone to weaken and sometimes break down. It’s most common in young Yorkies between 4–12 months old.

Signs to watch for:

• Limping or skipping on one back leg

• Trouble running or jumping

• Pain when the hip is touched

• Muscle loss in the affected leg

Treatment:

• Mild cases: rest, pain management, or physical therapy

• Severe cases: surgery to fix or replace the hip

💖 Tip: Early detection helps your Yorkie recover faster and stay active and happy!

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​​🦷  Dental Disease

Dental issues are very common in Yorkies due to their small jaws. When their adult teeth come in around four months of age, some baby teeth often don’t fall out as they should. This can lead to overcrowding, which traps food and allows bacteria to build up – causing gum disease and even infections.  Left untreated, bacteria in the mouth can lead to gum disease and even affect the heart, liver, or kidneys.
Symptoms include:

• Bad breath

• Red or bleeding gums

• Difficulty eating

What you can do:

• Brush your Yorkie’s teeth daily.

• Feed dental-supportive food. (e.g. Royal Canin Yorkshire Terrier Dry Food)

• Keep an eye on your puppy’s teeth during teething. If any baby teeth don’t fall out, check with your vet.​​

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🦵  Patellar Luxation (Dislocating Kneecap)

This is a hereditary condition often seen in smaller/toy breeds. It happens when the kneecap (patella) slips out of place because the bones in the leg aren’t properly aligned. Some dogs may only have mild symptoms, while others may struggle to walk or have difficulty sitting.

Symptoms include:

• Occasional limping or skipping when walking

• A bow-legged appearance

• Trouble sitting normally

Treatment:
Mild cases may only need monitoring, but severe cases could require surgery. Early detection helps manage the condition effectively.

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💨  Collapsed Trachea

A persistent, dry, “honking” cough in your Yorkie might be a sign of tracheal collapse. This condition affects the windpipe, which becomes weakened over time and makes it harder for your dog to breathe.

It’s most common in Yorkies over six years old and can lead to breathing problems, especially during exercise.

Symptoms:

• Coughing (especially when excited or pulling on the lead)

• Difficulty breathing

• Low tolerance for exercise

What you can do:

• Use a harness instead of a collar to avoid putting pressure on the neck.

• Avoid exposure to smoke or allergens

• If you notice coughing or laboured breathing, see your vet.

• Medications can help manage symptoms; in more serious cases, surgery may be needed.​​​​

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💧 Urinary Stones

Yorkies, like many small breeds, can be prone to bladder stones which can cause serious health issues . If left untreated, it can even become life threatening. These form from crystals in the urine, which may be caused by infections, diet, or inherited conditions.

Symptoms include:

• Blood in urine

• Frequent or painful urination

• Straining to urinate

Treatment & Prevention:

• Your vet may recommend a special diet, like Royal Canin Urinary S/O, to dissolve certain types of stones.

• Keep your dog well-hydrated — always offer fresh water and consider feeding wet food to increase water intake.

• Make sure your dog gets regular toilet breaks to keep their urinary system healthy.

• Include wet food in meals to increase hydration

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❤️ Heart Problems

Older Yorkies sometimes develop heart murmurs or valve disease, which can affect their energy levels.
Signs to watch for: Coughing, slowing down on walks, or breathing heavily.
How to help:

• Regular vet checkups can help catch and treat heart issues early.

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🦴    Fragile Bones

Because Yorkies are so small, they can break a bone easily by jumping from high places or being dropped.
How to help: Use pet stairs or ramps for furniture and always handle them gently — they may be tiny, but they’re precious cargo!

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🌿 Allergies & Skin Sensitivity

Some Yorkies have sensitive skin that reacts to food, shampoo, or pollen.
How to help:

• Use gentle, hypoallergenic shampoos and feed a balanced, high-quality diet.