Tribute to Doc

"Teacup" Yorkies" - Health Issues

Although the AKC Standard for Yorkies, which was written 38 years ago, states only that the weight "must not exceed seven pounds", you will see advertisements for "Tiny" or "Teacup" Yorkies weighing as little as three pounds. Special circumstances often come with extra tiny dogs.

An Important Message About "Teacup Yorkies"

Yorkshire Terriers are extremely susceptible to both hereditary and non-hereditary health problems, including birth defects that may go undetected for a long time.

Other common problems may include, but are not limited to, diarrhea, vomiting, along with extra and expensive tests prior to routine teeth cleanings and surgeries. Small ones are more likely to have poor reactions to anesthesia and die from it. Tiny dogs are more easily injured by falls, being stepped on and being attacked by other dogs. These health problems nearly always result in large veterinary bills.

Please take this into consideration and make purchasing a healthy pet your top priority, not size. The "novelty" is certainly not worth the pain, heartbreak, or extra expense. Remember, all Yorkies are comparatively small.

The most important thing is finding a healthy puppy that will grow into a healthy adult, especially since you looking at an 11 to 15 year commitment with your Yorkie. This information was obtained from the Yorkshire Terrier Club of America's website.

Health Issues: - Yorkshire Terriers are quite sensitive to many medications. They don't like cold or rain and should wear a sweater in cold weather. Most common health issues include: Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease, Portosystemic Shunt, Patellar Luxation, Tracheal Collapse, Retinal Dysplasia

These are all listed below for further reading.

These are just a few of the many Health Issues you may face when you fall for the little ad that says "Tea Cup Yorkies"

Please do your homework before purchasing your new Yorkie baby......there are several excellent breeders out there, who Breed for the Betterment of the Breed just as there are also several out there who" Breed for Greed",

To many times we are all guilty of falling for the cute little tiny face, then take them home and all to soon you are facing heartache and huge vet bills and the Breeder who Breeds for Greed is no where to be found.

DO YOUR HOMEWORK, ask QUESTIONS, do not be afraid to ask it the Breeder tests for Liver Shunt, or if there is any history of Collapsing Trachea or any other genetic illness, if they are a good reputable breeder they will not be afraid of these questions and will give you referrals to others who have purchased from them. This applies to any Toy Breed....

You may think you are askimg stupid questions...Just remember..The only stupid question is the one you do not ask.

I was one of these who fell for the cute little puppy.....My little Rhett suffers from several genetic disorders....I was afraid to ask questions and now at 5 years of age Rhett has Collapsing Trachea, and Luxtating Patellas in both rear legs and has allergies to corn, wheat and soy. He is a fighter and I am happy to say has more good days than bad ones....

We also have a wonderful vet who takes excellent care of him.....

Thank You Dr William (Doc Bill) McAlonan and his wonderful caring staff at

Wilwynn Animal Hospital

496 Greenwich Road

Bridgeton, New Jersey 08302

856-451-0789

Tracheal Collapse - Respiratory Problem

Tracheal Collapse is a narrowing of the trachea (windpipe) to a loss in rigidity in some small dog breeds, such as Yorkshire Terrier, Pomeranian, Toy Poodle, Maltese, Chihuahuas and other toy and miniature dog breeds. Symptoms include a cough, especially after exercise, noisy breathing and gagging.

Trachea is a tube or system of tubes that carries air. The trachea serves as passage for air, moistens and warms it while it passes into the lungs, and protects the respiratory surface from an accumulation of foreign particles.

Tracheal collapse is a narrowing of the inner diameter of the trachea. It is a common problem in middle-aged, small-breed dogs, especially in Yorkshire Terriers, Poodles, and Pomeranians.

CAUSES Evidence show that tracheal collapse is caused by many factors including genetic predisposition of the breed, nutritional factors, neurologic abnormalities, and tracheal cartilage degeneration.

SIGNS Some dogs will have chronic "goose-honk" cough, noisy breathing and gagging, wheezing, hacking, and exercise intolerance. In severe cases there may be a bluish discoloration to the gums and skin because of a lack of oxygen, and the dog may faint. These symptoms are more severe in obese animals. Other animals may have no cough at all. The disease is diagnosed by using radiographs, thorough evaluation and other methods. Response to medical therapy is usually temporary and the disease typically progresses.

TREATMENT Treatment usually includes reducing coughing and chronic airway injury, keeping the dog away from irritants, such as cigarette smoke, exposure to extreme cold, heat or humidity, using a harness instead of a collar, reducing food intake (if the dog is overweight), and vaccinations to prevent tracheal inflammations. In severe cases emergency surgery is performed and application of prostheses. Surgery relieves many of the signs of tracheal obstruction but does not cure the disease. Early diagnosis and treatment are expected to give the dog a better quality life. Following surgery, most dogs are more active, breathe easier, cough less, and require less medical treatment for respiratory disease.

Portosystemic Shunt (PSS)

Liver Shunt

Portosystemic Shunt (PSS) is an inherited or acquired condition in dogs and cats when the blood flow is diverted from the liver which results in the accumulation of toxins in the liver and its disfunction. As a result the blood is not cleansed by one of the bodies filters: the liver which results in neurological diseases. Dogs with PSS have small liver, large kidneys, and stones in bladder or kidneys.

Shunts are significantly more likely to be found in female than male dogs and cats. The disease occurs in Yorkshire Terrier, Maltese, Himalayan and Persian cats and other breeds.

SIGNS: First signs of PSS are usually found in young puppies and may include loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, pica (hunger for non-food substances), depression, lethargy, frequent urinating, excessive thirst, weakness, poor balance, blindness, seizures, and intolerance of protein-rich food. Causes: The exact causes of PSS are unknown.

TREATMENT: Surgery is the best treatment for a shunt. Many dogs become normal and require no medication or diet control providing the surgery did not have any complications and was performed before the atrophy of the liver.

Patellar Luxation - Kneecap Dislocation

Patellar Luxation is a common congenital (animals are born with this disease) health condition in small dog breeds such as miniature and toy poodle, Chihuahua, Pomeranian, Yorkshire Terrier, Pekingese and other breeds of dogs and cats. Patellar Luxation affects both knees in 50% of all diagnosed cases.

The patellar or kneecap is a small bone buried in the tendon of the muscles of the thigh. The tendon is a band of tough, inelastic tissue that connects a muscle with its bony attachement. With this condition, the kneecap may slip out of the tendon and then slip back. Patellar luxation is graded 1 to 4 based on the severity of the defect, 1 being occasional mild lameness. As the disease progresses in duration and severity, this lameness becomes more frequent and eventually becomes continuous. In young puppies with severe patellar luxation, the rear legs often present a "bow-legged" appearance that worsens with growth.

Surgical correction of patellar luxation grades 1, 2, or 3 results generally in a successful clinical outcome, whereas surgical correction of grade 4 patellar luxations may not be as effective in young dogs.

When the luxation is left alone, it causes deformity and disorder in the growth of the affected limb. In severe cases, the limb may cease to function or cause other degenerative joint diseases (DJD) such as osteoarthritis. Early surgical correction is therefore essential, but the owners are not able to detect the disorder at an early age and surgical intervention in most cases will take place after 6 months of age.

It is still unclear what exactly causes this orthopedic problem. Possible causes include: hip dysplasia, deviation of muscles and bones to which patellar attaches, etc.

Retinal Dysplasia - Inherited Eye Disorder

Retinal Dysplasia (RD) is a congenital, local or generalized malformation of the retina that may result from trauma, a genetic defect, or damage caused by a viral infection, such as herpesvirus and parvovirus. Most forms of retinal dysplasia in dogs are inherited.

The Retina is a layer of nervous tissue which covers the back of the eyeball where the sensation of vision occurs. The whole eye is just a container for this tissue that supplies the eye with the necessary nutrition and focuses light on the retina. Retinal dysplasia is an abnormal development of the retina. Light microscopic examination of affected eyes will show folds and rosettes within the outer retinal layers. Heritable retinal dysplasia is the most common form and has been described in many breeds of dogs.

Retinal folds rarely cause serious vision problems as they are usually just small blind areas which may not be noticed by the dog. However, large areas of dysplasia (geographic dysplasia) may lead to visual impairment and dogs with retinal detachments may become totally blind. Congenital cataracts, often accompany the retinal dysplasia. Retinal dysplasia is a congenital defect and does not progress as the dog ages.

What breeds are affected most? Retinal dysplasia affects Bedlington Terrier, Sealyham Terrier, Beagle, Labrador Retriever, English Cocker Spaniel, American Cocker Spaniel, English Springer Spaniel, Yorkshire Terrier, Akita, Afghan Hound, Australian Shepherd, Doberman Pinscher, Old English Sheepdog, and Rottweiler. In the Laborador Retriever, retinal dysplasia may be associated with skeletal dysplasia (shortening) of the forelegs.

SIGNS - Some dogs will not have any symptoms and can only be identified with an ophthalmic examination. More severely affected puppies may be partially or totally blind. Retinal dysplasia can be found through a special eye exams performed by the Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF) certified ophthalmologists.

CAUSES - In most cases retinal dysplasia is hereditary, also prenatal infections with herpesvirus and parvovirus, radiation exposure, toxins and trauma may lead to it. The herpes infection in puppies usually results in severe eye inflammation with subsequent retinal dysplasia.

There is no effective treatment for RD. The only way to prevent it is to make sure that the active carriers of RD gene do not breed. All breeding dogs should be registered with the Canine Eye Registry Foundation and should be evaluated before being bred, and then tested yearly by certified eye specialists.

Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease (LCP Disease)

Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease (LCP Disease) is a congenital (present at birth) degeneration of the bone end that occurs in young miniature and small breeds of dogs and results with reduced blood supply to the affected bone. The symptoms usually include hindlimb lameness and pain in the hip joint.

CAUSES: The cause of this disease is unknown but recent studies show strong evidence of the hereditary nature of the disease.

Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease (LCP disease) is a bone disease of young, small breed dogs, usually those weighing less than 24 pounds, in which the growing end of a bone dies and then is gradually replaced over a period of years. The immediate cause of bone death is loss of blood supply. Both sexes are affected, but males suffer 4 times more often than females. It usually occurs in puppies between 4 and 12 months of age.

SIGNS: Your dog will limp and experience pain on extension of the hip joint during exercise or veterinarian examination. At the advanced stage of the disease signs include muscle contracture and/or apparent shortening of the leg on the affected side.

TREATMENT There are two approaches in treating this disease: conservative therapy and surgical operation.

With the conservative therapy, the dog is enforced to rest in a cage and is allowed out of the cage only to maintain its toilet training. The animal is carried to and from the cage and kept on a leash during evacuation. Strict adherence to this form of treatment results in a dog with nearly normal femoral head (bone end) and complete return of pain-free motion and a normal gait. It takes 4 to 6 months before the femoral head heals sufficiently to permit normal movement.

If collapse of the femoral head occurs during the confinement, surgicaltreatment is performed. Chronic cases will lead to degenerative joint disease.

Tribute to Doc and Rhett

This page was last updated: July 20, 2011

This page is Dedicated to....Dr William G. McAlonan V.M.D.

Thank You Doc Bill, without your compassion, unselfish giving of your time and love of animals Rhett would not have been with us for the extra two years you gave him, sadly Rhett passed on April 6, 2010 with Doc at his side....we love you Doc.

Rhett 10-31-03 to 4-6-10 RIP Little Man

Doc Bill and Rhett, you gave him 2 extra years Doc we love you!!!

Sadly on April 6, 2010 Rhett's courageous fight to live ended, but let me start at the beginning of this long courageous battle of a little 5 lb dog and his vet.......Doc Bill......

On April 6, 2008 Rhett was diagnosed formally with a Collapsed Trachea, we knew he had issues but the x rays that day showed it was severely collapsed, surgery was not an option for Rhett as his collapse was deep in his chest area. This was the first time Rhett had ever passed out on us due to the collapse....but we got him back and he spent the week end with Doc....they did great and Doc learned what it was like to sleep with a little Yorkie bed hog....

Over the next two years we did everything for Rhett and he lead a very happy normal life...Doc was great....if we had any breathing issues he was always there with an immediate visit to the office...which each time by the time we got there Rhett was fine, I am sure he just missed Doc and the girls and all the attention his girls always gave him.....We had many happy months and traveled many miles with Rhett in The Yorkie Express.....oh he loved to go trucking.....so we did. Scarlett and Rhett and Hashi, our Shih Tzu, who actually thinks he is a 5 lb Yorkie rather then a 20 lb Shih Tzu.......would take off and go trucking with Dad....they loved greeting so many people along the way and especially loved the pieces of Chester's chicken Dad would accidentally (on purpose I am sure) drop while going down the interstate.....they would each take a turn watching for the dropped little bites.

Sadly it was on one of these cross country trips when we lost Rhett's sister Miss Scarlett, we left New Jersey on Sunday January 31st and everyone was so happy to be going bye bye....on Monday Miss Scarlett was not acting her normal self so we stopped at a vet in Sullivan, MO. They immediately ran some blood tests and her platelets came back at 9 where normal is between 200 and 500.....Scarlett had what is called Thrombocytopenia, a sudden onset disorder that attacks the system for no reason. Nothing could have saved her, on Tuesday night at 9:15 PM going thru Amarillo, Texas Miss Scarlett left us.....within a few days Rhett started loosing his will to fight then....loosing Scarlett who he had never lived without was quite a blow to him, she was his protector, she laid with him when he was having breathing problems....now his best friend was gone. Even once we got home he searched for her and would lay by the hours in front of her little red dog house bed with her favorite toy just begging her to come play with him again. I could see him growing weaker as the days went by...he had good days and bad days, more bad then good, finally his appetite went to almost nothing and he dropped from his normal weight of 5.5 lbs to 4.5 then to 4.0 on the day he left us. Within 65 days of loosing Miss Scarlett Rhett was gone too. I am not sure if it was a broken heart or it was just his time.

Maybe Scarlett knew his time with us was limited and she went before him to be there for him when he crossed over so he would not be alone or afraid....I will never know.

Rest in Peace my sweet babies.....you are together forever now....run free and chase those butterflies.....

The many faces of Rhett