Below is a list of health problems which could occur in any dog.
IF YOU SUSPECT ANY HEALTH ISSUES IN YOUR PET, HOWEVER MINOR, PLEASE CONSULT YOUR VET IMMEDIATELY!!!
All dog breeds
have certain illnesses which occur more commonly than others.
Below is a list of health problems which could occur in any dog.
IF YOU SUSPECT ANY HEALTH ISSUES IN YOUR
PET, HOWEVER MINOR, PLEASE CONSULT YOUR VET IMMEDIATELY!!!
WHEN TO CALL YOUR VET:
If your dog ever has any of the
following symptoms, do not hesitate to call you vet.
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LIVER
SHUNT
Yorkies have an increased risk of being born with liver shunts, and the incidence is high in this breed compared to most other breeds, therefore yorkies are prone to liver shunt.
To be sure that you are buying a healthy puppy, you should NEVER buy a puppy from a breeder who does not test the pups for liver shunt. NEVER buy a puppy without seeing the results of it's SERUM BILE ACID TEST. You should get a copy of the test results when you buy your puppy. This test should be done between 9 and 12 weeks, ideally at 10 weeks of age. There should be 2 sets of results. The 12 hour "fasting" result, and then the second result that is done 2 hours after the puppy has eaten. Both readings should be under 25, and it is normal for the second reading to be a little higher than the first, but still below 25. At the age of 9 to 12 weeks, a serum bile acid test result reading of 50 to 100 is indicative of the hereditary form of liver shunt. I would hesitate to buy a pup without this test. If the test results fall below 25, your pup is free of the hereditary form of this disease, but it does not necessarily mean that it is not a carrier.
Many breeders will try to tell you that "I don't need to test, I have never had a puppy with liver shunt in my lines", or "My dogs are healthy". These are just excuses, and not very good ones at that! No breeder can tell by looking at their dogs. Just because the parents of your puppy do not actually have Liver Shunt, it does not mean that they are not carries of this deadly disease, and it is possible that they can produce a puppy with it. It can pop up in any line of yorkies, at any time. There is no guarantee that your pup will be free of the HEREDITARY form of this disease, unless you have a blood test.
AVOID A BREEDER IF THEY DO NOT TEST THEIR PUPPIES.
I can not think of a single reason that an ethical breeder would not do this test. It does not cost that much money for each test, and the peace of mind just knowing that your pups are healthy, and free of the hereditary form of this disease is well worth any amount of money spent.
I ADMIT THAT I DO NOT KNOW EVERYTHING THAT THERE IS TO KNOW ABOUT YORKIES,
BUT I DO KNOW RIGHT FROM WRONG.....
The following information on this page was taken from Dr. Karen Tobias, DVM, MS, Diplomate ACVS.
The symptoms of liver shunt can start to appear at almost any age. Dogs with a liver shunt are usually very thin dogs that pick at food. They not only have a poor appetite but they can become lethargic, dizzy, and stagger. They may try to climb out of their pen, climb higher on you, and cry and throw their head far back after eating, and they may go into convulsions.
Many breeders feel that it is an inherited disease and that the only way to eliminate that disease is to cull those dogs that are affected and producing this disease from their breeding program. SO FAR, IT HAS NOT BEEN PROVEN THAT THIS IS INDEED A HEREDITARY DISEASE, but it will probably be proven with the DNA studies that are being done right now. If a puppy has a test score that says it is free of liver shunt, it will never develop the hereditary type, but ANY YORKIE can develop an acquired liver shunt due to poor diet, high protein diet, stress, and other factors.
There are studies being done at this very moment, and they are on the verge of finding the DNA marker that will be able to test both sire and dam BEFORE they are bred, and this should go a long way in terminating this horrible disease.
Many toy breeds are affected, but yorkies, in the United States, have almost a 36 times greater risk of developing shunts than all other breeds combined!
The other breeds where liver shunt is a problem are: Low Chen, Schnauzers, Cairn Terriers, Maltese, Dachshunds, Cocker Spaniels, Jack Russel Terriers, Shih-Tzu, Lhasa-Apso, and Poodles.
In other words, if their liver is so damaged that they form shunts (like people with alcoholism and cirrhosis), it usually remains damaged. Some shunts may get smaller as the liver swelling goes down. Many veterinarians only guess that a shunt is there based on blood work changes. We have seen several older dogs that have congenital shunts that are fine unless they get another illness; then the problem of the shunt shows up. Once the other illness resolves, the shunt may not cause noticeable problems (at least, the owners may not detect them).
There is a big debate as to whether liver shunts are hereditary. A disease is likely to be hereditary if it occurs more commonly in one breed than others, if it occurs in a family of dogs, or if it or a closely related disease is proven hereditary in other breeds or species.
To date, liver shunts are considered to be hereditary in Irish Wolfhounds, Cocker Spaniels, Maltese, and Yorkshire Terriers, and are probably hereditary in several other breeds. The affected dog should be castrated or spayed and, because of the mode of inheritance is not known, it is best to avoid breeding the parents of the affected dog.
Do all dogs with shunts have
high bile acid results?
Dogs with shunts will
almost always have high bile acids 2 hours after eating, and at least 95% of
dogs will have high bile acids after a 12 hours fast. For the most accurate test
results, samples are taken after a 12 hour fast, and then repeated 2 hours
after feeding. This is done for several reasons. Some dogs normally release bile
acids in the middle of the night, and therefore would have a higher fasting
result. Other dogs may have fat in their blood after eating, which could
interfere with the results. If only one sample can be obtained, it is best to
take it 2 hours after feeding.
Do all dogs with high bile
acids have shunts?
Bile acids can be
increased with any liver disease. Bile acids can also be mildly increased in
normal dogs, particularly in some breeds (such as the Maltese) where chemicals
that naturally occur in their blood interfere with the test.
Most dogs with liver shunts have
after feeding results of well over 100
(normal is 15-20). If the bile acids are only slightly increased, the vet may
want to re run the test in 3 to 4 weeks.
Treatment
This disease usually goes hand in hand with a kidney disorder and it seems that
a special diet can sometimes keep it under control with some dogs for a time.
Surgery sometimes works depending on where the "shunt" is, and how large it is.
Ameroid constrictor surgery is now being done on some LS victims, with a very
high success rate. If your dog has been diagnosed with high bile acids, I would
advise you to contact Dr. Karen Tobias for a referral.
For more information on this subject, please refer to:
Dr. Karen Tobias,
DVM, MS, Diplomate ACVS
Professor, Small Animal Surgery
University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine
Regent, American College of Veterinary Surgeons
President, Society of Veterinary Soft Tissue Surgery
University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine
University Phone
(865)974-8387
FAX (865) 974-5554
http://www.vet.utk.edu/clinical/sacs/shunt/faq.shtml
There is a wonderful
collectors calendar with all of the information listed here, and it is available
through the "ORIGINAL TERRI SHUMSKY FANNY MAE LIVERSHUNT FUND" You can contact
Terri at:
tsfmlsfund@aol.com
for information or contributions:
TSFMLSF
C/O Terri Shumsky
363 Quail Summit
Paso Robles, Ca. 93446
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Coccidia: Bright red blood mixed in with stool - Generally this is a case of Coccidia. The blood may also be due to broken blood vessels when a puppy defecates. Whether the blood is due to Coccidia or to the puppy straining, it is advisable to consult a veterinarian.
Worms in your puppy's
stool: There are
many types of worms that your puppy may have.
The most common types are: A)
Tapeworms: look like small grains of rice B) Roundworms:
look like strands of
spaghetti. Should you see worms in your puppy, do not be alarmed. Take
a stool sample to your veterinarian and the puppy will receive worming
medication. Worms
take several weeks to get rid of, so be sure to keep the puppy away from any
other dog's
defecation, or his own. Even if the puppy does not show any visible signs of
worms, it is recommended that you take a stool sample to the vet within the
first few days after the purchase of the puppy.
Ringworm: If you notice a round crusty area about the size of a nickel or quarter on your pup at anytime, it may be ringworm. Ringworm is not a worm, but a fungus much like a human foot fungus (Athletes foot). This is easily treated with a few applications of "Blue Star" ointment and some follow up baths. You should see your vet about this first if you suspect ringworm.
Kennel Cough:
(Tracheal Bronchitis). Symptoms of Kennel Cough are a dry hacking cough,
and a shortness of breath. Kennel Cough is quite common, almost as common as the
human
cold. It is caused by a virus, and usually easier to get if your dog has a
combination of stress
and temperature variations. Although the cough may sound threatening, it is
treatable with
medication. Consult a vet if your puppy shows signs of Kennel Cough.
Giardia: Clinical signs of giardia include weight loss, inability to gain weight appropriately during growth, diarrhea, vomiting, lack of appetite and greasy appearing stools. The organisms come from the environment and live in moist to wet areas. Keeping the dog's environment dry helps a lot. Veterinary treatment is a must!
Hypoglycemia:
Hypoglycemia occurs in small breeds. Symptoms of Hypoglycemia are shaking or
slight tremors, like the puppy is “shivering”, staring and not following easy
commands, white gums, rolled up eyes, inability to stand up straight and
seizures. The most common time for small breeds to get Hypoglycemia is
overnight, but with yorkies it
can happen when they are overly-handled, just
moved into their new homes and miss
their mama, any stressful situation
including a loud noise. Small breeds are very fragile,
and can get very sick if
they stop eating. It is important that you give small breeds food
all the time,
never restrict food. This will ensure that the puppy will receive a steady
stream
of nutrients. Hypoglycemia occurs when puppies get stressed out and their
blood sugar
level drops below normal. KEEP A TUBE OF “NUTRI-STAT” ON HAND AT ALL TIMES!
Hepatitis: This is a virus that is most serious in very young dogs. It is spread by contact with an infected animal or its stool or urine. The virus affects the liver and kidneys and is characterized by high fever, depression and lack of appetite. Recovered animals may be afflicted with chronic illness.
Leptospirosis: This is a bacterial disease transmitted by contact with the urine of an infected dog, rat, or other wildlife. It produces severe symptoms of fever, depression, jaundice, and internal bleeding and was fatal before the vaccine was developed. Recovered dogs can be carriers, and the disease can be transmitted from dogs to humans. I recommend that no lepto vaccine be given until your puppy is at least 6 months old.
Rabies:
This is shed in the saliva
and is carried by raccoons, skunks, foxes, dogs and
cats. It attacks nerve
tissue, resulting in paralysis and death. Rabies can be transmitted
to people
and is virtually always fatal. Although rabies is a threat to any animal, I
highly
recommend that you do not get your yorkie puppy vaccinated for this
disease until it is
1 year old. My reason for this is that the yorkie pup is so
small, but it receives the same
amount of medication that a full grown German
Shepherd Dog would get! This is
dangerous to the yorkies fragile system. If you
buy one of my yorkies, I have a clause about this in my contract.
POISONS AND OTHER DANGERS TO AVOID
Many table scraps also contain onion that can be toxic for a dog, especially smaller pooches. Onions can cause hemolytic anemia, a condition that destroys a dog's red blood cells, according to Dr. Kathy Michel of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. An onion-poisoned dog will become lethargic, develop breathing difficulties and will have pale gums (check around the teeth). Fortunately, the toxins will pass through the dog's system, but until then, he or she may need a blood transfusion. If you cook dog food at home, feel free to add garlic, but hold the onions.
It may seem like the best treat of all, but it can be deadly. All chocolate, with its caffeine and related chemical called theobromine, can raise your dog's heart rate to beat abnormally. It can cause seizures that will eventually lead to a coma. Baking or dark chocolate is the deadliest -- about nine times more toxic than milk chocolate. A chocolate-poisoned pooch will vomit, urinate more than usual, have diarrhea, and show hyperactivity.
Naturally nontoxic plants can still make your pet sick if the greenery has been sprayed with pesticides and fertilizers. Although it depends on the type of plant consumed by your dog, symptoms to look out for include breathing difficulties, convulsions, excessive salivation, gastroenteritis, skin rashes, stomach upset, swallowing difficulties, vomiting, and watery eyes and nose, according ot the book, Are you Poisoning Your Pets? by Nina Anderson and Howard Peiper (Avery Publishing Group). Some of the deadliest plants and flowers include dieffenbachia, mistletoe, poinsettias, laurel, rhododendrons, azaleas, daphne, lantanas, holly, delphiniums, foxglove, irises, lillies of the valley,amaryllis, morning glories, and daffodils. The bulbs of daffodils, narcissus, and jonquils trigger severe gastroenteritis; hyacinth bulbs cause trembling and convulsions. Avocado leaves and unripe stems, rhubarb leaves, spinach leaves and tomato vines, stems and leaves can also be harmful.
Most pesticide
chemicals in commercial flea repellents are fat-soluble and are stored in the
fatty tissues of the body, primarily in the liver and in the nervous system.
As these chemicals accumulate over time, they negatively affect nerves,
hormones, and immunity. Symptoms to lookout for include anorexia, cancer,
colic, convulsions, deformity of sexual organs, depression, diarrhea, foaming
at the mouth, nausea, seizures, stiffness, vomiting and weakness, according to
Anderson and Peiper.
Pyrethrum, a nontoxic insecticide made from chrysanthemum flowers, is found in may flea repellant products and is considered safe in its natural state. However, combine pyrethrum with chemical additives and you have a potentially dangerous environment for your dog. Chemical additives to look out for include diethyl toluamide (DEET), propoxur, diazinon, carbaryl, dichlorvos, and DDVP. Be forewarned: constant inhalation of DDVP, found in flea collars, can cause permanent damage to your dog's internal organs.
One teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide for each ten pounds of body weight can quickly induce vomiting. If you're fresh out of hydrogen peroxide, try a combination of one tablespoon of dry mustard and one cup of cold water. But, as indicated in the chart above, vomiting should never be induced when trying to purge caustic substances such as drain cleaner and petroleum-based products that can burn twice -- once when they do go down and again if they are vomited. Also, if your pooch is having trouble breathing, having seizures, has a slow heart rate, is unconscious, or has a bloated stomach, never induce vomiting.
The
Illinois-based National Animal Poison Control Center is available at 217 333
2053. For emergency calls: 900 680 0000. Cost is $20 for the first five
minutes; $2.95 for each additional minute. A flat rate of $30 per case is
available. Call 800 548 2423 or 888 4-ANI-HELP.
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| HGE or HEMORRHAGIC
GASTROENTERITIS**--- is particularly dangerous to the toy and
smaller breed dogs, although dogs of all ages and breeds can be affected
by it. Fever is not usually present in HGE. Signs of HGE usually begin
with a very sudden onset of acute vomiting, anorexia, followed by severe
bloody diarrhea, dehydration and depression, They progress rapidly,
become severe within hours ( usually 8 to 12). The blood may be bright
red (fresh blood) or dark (digested blood). The symptoms start with vomiting, lethargy, refusing to eat, and progress to mucous covered stools, loose stools, severe diarrhea and bloody diarrhea. Dogs affected by this condition get very sick, very fast. Any kind of bacterial diarrhea can quickly dehydrate a dog, and the tinies are at greater risk, as they have little weight to lose before they are dehydrated and need IV rehydration. Your dog can get infected anywhere. Then it can be from 2-10 days after exposure, that your dog can come down with this problem. Just as there are no specific tests for HGE, there is no established cause for the illness. HGE is most common in toy and miniature breeds of dogs, ages 2 to 4, but can affect any breed, gender and age. The blood count of affected dogs is frequently characterized by an elevated red blood cell count. Most normal dogs have red blood cell counts of 37-55%, while dogs with HGE may have red blood cell counts well above 60%. The elevated red blood cell count provides the veterinarian with an important clue that the dog may have HGE. At present, the exact cause of this disease is
unknown. There are many theories -- diet, a bacterial infection or
bacterial toxin, virus, reaction to an intestinal parasite, etc. -- but
nothing has been proven. Stress may play a role in the development of HGE.
Dogs that have an episode of HGE may be prone to another occurrence. Many
dogs never experience HGE. Since the cause of HGE is not completely understood, at present no known preventive measures exist DO NOT waste time, especially with the tiny toy dogs , as they do not have the spare fluids to lose thru diarrhea, especially bloody diarrhea. |