What diseases are Yorkies prone to?

1. Portosystemic Shunt: Portosystemic shunt (PSS) is a hereditary issue that obstructs proper blood flow to the liver. Since the liver is responsible for detoxifying the body, PSS sends the toxins in unfiltered blood to the heart, brain, and other body parts. Signs can include but are not limited to behavioral changes, loss of appetite, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), jaundice, urinary tract problems, vision problems, and stunted growth. PSS can be life-threatening if not treated early. Antibiotics and diet changes can help in the short term, but surgery is the only permanent treatment for the problem.

1. Legg-Calve-Perthes: This condition causes the head of the femur (located in a dog’s hind leg) to spontaneously degenerate. Over time, this will lead to erosion of the hip joint and arthritis. A Yorkie suffering from Legg-Calve-Perthes will become lame, limp while walking, and experience pain when moving the hip joint. Surgery is the most effective treatment for the disorder.

1. Progressive Retinal Atrophy: Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) is a group of genetic diseases that affect the retina. They are progressive degenerative diseases and will eventually cause blindness in both eyes. There is no effective treatment to stop PRA.