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What to Feed

Yorkshire Terriers are notoriously fussy eaters, I raw feed all my dogs and puppies, when done properly it is the healthiest way to feed.

I started raw feeding because my first Yorkie Savvy was such a fussy eater, I would hand feed her a tiny biscuit at a time just trying to get her to eat. Once we introduced real meat she was away.

You should feed whatever works for you and your yorkie.

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Dogs don't need artificial colours, flavors, wheat, beet pulp (please don't buy dry food with food colouring) & biscuits don't clean their teeth, dogs don't have a nutritional requirement for carbohydrates their bodies use protein & fats to metabolize energy. 

Uncooked bones are an important part to raw feeding, providing minerals including calcium, magnesium, amino acids, fatty acids, Vitamins A, D & E as well as keeping your dogs teeth & gums healthy. Green Tripe is another important addition to their feeding routine

benefits include;

  • Boosts the immune system.

  • Assists in building healthy muscle.

  • Supports healthy skin and coat.

  • Is low allergenic.

  • Helps soothe gastrointestinal upsets.

  • Maintains and supports healthy digestion.

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Yorkies/dogs often have food allergies, chicken & beef are the biggest culprits, this is more because of the hormones & antibiotics the chickens are fed & beef, there's a protein in beef some dogs are allergic to. Elimination diet is required to find the allergen.

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My yorkshire terriers are thriving on wild proteins like Opossum, Goat, Hare, Rabbit & Venison. I do add pro & pre biotics & oils. A healthy pet has a healthy gut. 

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The age old question of when to desex; this is my opinion & I follow a holistic approach to my yorkies.

Dogs need the hormones to develop their bones, cartilag, ligaments and much more. For this reason I believe yorkies should not be desexed before 12 months and the later you leave it the better for the dogs development. A bitch should have at least her first heat & be fully grown while a dog should have both testes fully descended and fully grown, this is generally 1-2 years old. On the flip side for boys you want to neuter before any negative behaviors become habits.

If you can't keep your bitch safe from getting pregnant during her first heat you may need to look at getting her spayed.

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If you want to show or breed that is something you will have to discuss with your breeder.

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Desexing

Double Teeth Syndrome

 

Wondering how many teeth do Yorkies have? More than you!

Your Yorkie should have 28 primary or baby teeth then 42 permanent teeth.

The key word here is should. Yorkies are prone to something known as double teeth syndrome. This means your dog may have two of the same type of tooth at the same time. You will probably notice this when your Yorkie is teething, or around the age of 3 to 5 months. It will look like a second row of teeth behind the existing primary teeth. This can cause overcrowding and eventually teeth dyeing & rotting.  

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With some Yorkies, the primary teeth don’t fall out like they should. Instead, your Yorkie may end up with two sets of teeth — or just several “extra” teeth. The retained baby teeth will probably fall out on their own later or you can have them removed. Many vets recommend removing them when your puppy is spayed or neutered to prevent Yorkie dental problems.

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If you don’t have the second teeth removed, you’ll need to be very diligent about brushing and cleaning your Yorkie’s teeth. The extra teeth make it easy for plaque to build up and contribute to dental decay, gum disease, and early tooth loss. The retained primary teeth are not as mineralized as the adult teeth, either; they are at a greater risk of fracturing even during regular chewing which can cause infection and pain.

Liver Shunt

Yorkshire Terriers are about 36 times more at risk of developing liver shunts than other breeds. Surgery is often the treatment of choice for most dogs with a liver shunt, as it can correct the underlying problem. The prognosis for dogs with liver shunts depends on a number of factors but is generally good when surgery is performed. 

The most common clinical signs include; 

  • Stunted growth, Failure to thrive

  • Poor muscle development,

  • Abnormal behaviors such as disorientation, staring into space, circling or head pressing, 

  • Seizures.

Less common symptoms include drinking or urinating too much, vomiting, and diarrhea, fussy eating, low blood sugar.

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https://drjudymorgan.com/blogs/blog/liver-shunts-in-dogs-and-cats?srsltid=AfmBOopGCg3A6rqE5AejUDZvmPeV0WDwa4TsHI8fVy0ivrKGT3_oDAqA

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Colapsed Trachea

Tracheal collapse is a condition that can affect Yorkshire Terriers and other toy breeds. It occurs when the cartilage rings that support the trachea become weak, flat, or incorrectly formed, causing the trachea to narrow and collapse. This can lead to breathing difficulties and coughing, and is often described as a goose honk.

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                              Symptoms​

A dog with a collapsing trachea experiences chronic, intermittent bouts of coughing that tend to get worse with exercise, heat/humidity, excitement, stress, eating, drinking, or when pressure is applied to the trachea. The sound of the cough can be quite distinctive and is often described as a goose honk.

Dogs develop other clinical signs that vary with the severity of the collapsing trachea—in other words, how narrow (or even completely closed) the airway becomes. Additional symptoms can include:

  • Retching

  • Rapid or difficult breathing

  • Exercise intolerance

  • Blue-tinged gums

  • Fainting

If your dog has blue-tinged gums, trouble breathing, or has fainted, contact your veterinarian immediately.

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                              Causes

No single, specific cause has been identified to explain all cases of tracheal collapse in dogs. A congenital (meaning present at birth) weakness of the cartilage within the trachea seems to play a big role, but environmental factors and concurrent diseases may bring out symptoms. Some of these risk factors include: 

  • Overweight or obese dogs (fat pushes against the trachea)

  • Airway irritants, such as air fresheners or smoke

  • Recent anesthesia, such a dental where an endotracheal tube was placed in the throat

  • Upper respiratory tract infection, such as kennel cough or a bacterial infection

  • Heart enlargement, which can be seen in dogs with heart murmurs or congestive heart failure (the enlarged heart presses on the trachea)

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                              Natural Treatments

Here are some natural remedies that may help with a dog's collapsed trachea:

  • Honey: Manuka honey can soothe a dog's throat and reduce coughing. 

  • Herbs: Inula helenium, mullein, and licorice root can help with breathing issues, inflammation, and coughing. 

  • CBD oil: CBD oil can help relieve inflammation and anxiety. 

  • Coconut oil: Coconut oil can help relieve discomfort. 

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Other ways to help a dog with a collapsed trachea include: 

  • Keeping the dog calm and reassured

  • Minimizing stress and activity

  • Using a harness instead of a collar

  • Moving the dog to a cool, well-ventilated area

  • Providing oxygen if available

  • Offering water carefully

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https://www.petmd.com/dog/general-health/collapsing-trachea-dogs-everything-you-need-know

https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/how-to-manage-collapsed-trachea-in-dogs/

 

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