Yorkies are lively dogs that love to play but when they slow down you should look out for these Yorkie sick symptoms that will convince you something is wrong with your Yorkie.
We will be discussing the most common Yorkie sick symptoms, we will also outline the common causes of each sick symptom.
Before we continue, it is important you shouldn’t give your Yorkie any form of self-treatment you saw online, it is recommended you take your pup to see a qualified veterinarian.
Yorkie Sick Symptoms
Yorkie sick symptoms include coughing, diarrhea, tremors, weight loss, loss of appetite, vomiting, weakness, confused behavior, shaking.
We will now break these Yorkie sick symptoms and relate them to possible health challenges associated with these symptoms.
Here is the list of the most common Yorkie sick symptoms you should know:
1. Coughing
Coughing is one of the common Yorkie sick symptoms that shows your pup is falling sick, therefore you should not ignore constant coughing.
Coughing is a common protective response in Yorkies that clears fluids or foreign objects from the throat, vocal cords, and/or airways to prevent aspiration.
It affects the respiratory system, making it harder for tiny dog breeds like Yorkies to breathe properly.
Some causes of cough in Yorkies can be fatal, therefore any dog with a cough should be examined by a veterinarian, especially if the cough is persistent.
Causes of coughing in Yorkies
- Heartworm disease
- Heart failure
- Hypoglycemia
- Lung tumors
- Bronchitis
- Tracheal collapse
- Distemper
2. Weakness
Complete weakness in Yorkies is one of the most common and serious Yorkie illness symptoms to watch for.
Sluggishness that persists, napping for long periods of time, or abrupt dullness are all signs of overall weakness in Yorkies.
A sedentary Yorkie may refuse to go for a walk, even if it is usually the highlight of their day, or to play or eat.
Yorkies who are sedentary like to sit and lie down like a bone and will respond to nothing.
Causes of weakness in Yorkies
- Too much exercise
- Collapsed trachea
- Luxating patella
- Chronic diarrhea
- Kennel cough
- Periodontal disease
- Diabetes
- Legg-Perthes disease
- Heart disease
- Tumors, etc.
3. Diarrhea
If your Yorkie has chronic constipation or diarrhea that lasts more than 48 hours, or if the stool contains any abnormalities, such as blood or mucous.
New blood in your Yorkie’s stools indicates bleeding in the colon or rectum, and diarrhea is a common disease in Yorkies.
Blood in the stool is also a clue that your pet needs to see a veterinarian.
It is suggested that you see your veterinarian and, if possible, bring a fresh feces sample with you.
Causes of diarrhea in Yorkies
- Hookworms
- Roundworms
- Whipworms
- Giardia
- Gastrointestinal illnesses
- Spoiled food
- Ingesting toxins
- Change in diet or treats
4. Vomiting
Dogs, like people, might suffer an upset stomach from time to time. And vomiting is one of the common Yorkie sick symptoms to note.
If the contents of their stomach and upper intestines are forcibly consumed, most Yorkies will vomit.
Excessive vomiting on a regular basis is a frequent indication of Yorkie disease that should never be overlooked.
Yorkies are prone to nibbling on things they shouldn’t, such as that dead frog in the yard or those delectable bits in the cat’s litter box, which can cause intestinal problems.
However, if your Yorkie’s vomiting lasts longer than 24 hours or is followed by other symptoms like stomach discomfort, fever, lack of appetite, or diarrhea, it may be an indication that your dog is unwell and needs to visit a veterinarian.
Causes of vomiting in Yorkies
- Constipation
- Diet change
- Liver failure
- Intestinal obstruction
- Kidney failure
- Intestinal inflammation
5. House accidents
During the potty training process, it’s common for a new puppy to have a few accidents in the house.
However, if a previously well-trained adult begins urinating or defecating in the home, it’s usually an indication of a medical condition or some underlying ailment.
Other symptoms, such as straining to pee or blood in the urine, may accompany accidents in the home.
Your veterinarian will most likely ask you to bring in a sample of your pet’s urine to be tested for germs, crystals, and other contaminants.
Causes of house accidents in Yorkies
- Urinary tract infection
- Bladder stones
- Heartworm
- Weakened immune system
- Hookworms
- Liver problems
- Whipworms
6. Loss of appetite
Yorkies can also suffer from anorexia nervosa, which is a disease in which they lose their appetite and are unable or unwilling to eat.
Loss of appetite in Yorkies and other dogs can be caused by a number of things, and it’s often the first sign of something more serious.
It’s important to remember that most Yorkie puppies under the age of 7 months lose their appetite; this isn’t usually a sign of illness.
Causes of loss of appetite in Yorkies
- Changes in diet
- Dental disease
- Liver problems
- Loose tooth
- Oral tumor
- Allergies
- Gastrointestinal issues
- Bloating
- Weakness
Read more about: Yorkie Separation Anxiety: 9 Signs & 11 Helpful Tips
7. Weight loss
Weight loss is a medical issue that affects Yorkies and is caused mostly by a calorie shortage, which is a typical Yorkie sick symptoms.
When the Yorkie eats and releases necessary nutrients quicker than it can use them, it loses weight.
In other words, the Yorkies burn more calories than they consume. One of the most prevalent and well-known Yorkie sick symptoms is weight loss.
When a Yorkie’s weight loss surpasses 10% of their usual body weight and is not accompanied by fluid loss, it is considered clinically serious.
Weight loss in Yorkies can occur for a variety of causes, some of which can be fatal.
Causes of weight loss in Yorkies
- Canine fasting
- Diabetes
- Gastrointestinal disorders
- Stress
- Changes in diet
- Metabolic disorders
- Liver problems
- Kidney issues
8. Shaking
Hypoglycemia is defined as a sharp drop in blood sugar. When your Yorkie’s body is low on sugar, it starts shaking.
Hypoglycemia, a medical condition that causes trembling and shaking in Yorkies, is also a risk.
This disease is more common in baby Yorkies because their capacity to control sugar levels in their blood has not fully developed (up to 4 months).
Hypoglycemia can cause you to lose consciousness or, in the worst-case situation, kill your pup.
Causes of shaking in Yorkies
- Hypoglycemia
- Cold
- Allergies
- Generalized tremor syndrome
- Seizures
- Toxic ingestion
Read more: Why Do Yorkies Shake: 12 Common Reasons
