Are Yorkie Poos healthy?
Yorkie Poos can have some of the same common health issues prone to Yorkshire Terriers and Poodles, including:
- Hypothyroidism: This is a hormonal imbalance that occurs when the thyroid isn’t producing enough hormones and can cause obesity, slow heart rate, and other damaging symptoms.
- Portosystemic shunt (PSS): PSS is an abnormal vein connecting blood from the intestines to the heart, bypassing the liver. It can be congenital or acquired.
- Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA): PRA affects the retina and will eventually cause blindness in both eyes. There is no effective treatment to stop PRA.
- Legg-calve-perthes: This condition causes the head of the femur (located in the hind legs) to degenerate. It leads to the erosion of the hip joint over time, causing arthritis, pain, lameness, and limping. Surgery is the most effective treatment.
- Patellar luxation: The condition, also known as slipped kneecaps, occurs when slight abnormalities cause the knee joint to slide in and out of place, causing pain and occasional lameness. Most dogs don’t need treatment, but surgery may be necessary in severe cases.
- Epilepsy: A seizure condition.
It’s important to remember that even though this breed might have an increased risk for certain health conditions, that doesn’t mean they will develop them. Mixed-breed dogs are often more healthy than purebred dogs because of greater genetic diversity. Your veterinarian can help you keep an eye out for possible health problems with regular check-ups.