Ensure Your Yorkie’s Best Start: Essential Health Checks for Your New Puppy

The main focus of this blog post is on the genetic health tests, vaccinations, and deworming that should be performed on a Yorkie puppy before bringing them home.

Genetic Health Tests

Genetic health testing allows breeders to screen for inherited diseases and determine if their dogs carry disease-causing genetic mutations. This allows them to make informed breeding choices to reduce the chances of producing puppies affected by genetic disorders.

The following genetic tests should be performed on parent Yorkshire Terriers before breeding:

Degenerative Myelopathy – DNA test for SOD1A mutation[1]
Hyperuricosuria – DNA test for SLC2A9 mutation[2]
Primary Lens Luxation – DNA test for ADAMTS17 mutation[3]
Progressive Retinal Atrophy – DNA test for PRCD mutation[4]

Test	Disease
Degenerative Myelopathy	A neurodegenerative disease causing paralysis
Hyperuricosuria	Excess uric acid in urine causing crystals & stones
Primary Lens Luxation	Dislocation of the lens causing glaucoma & blindness
Progressive Retinal Atrophy	Retinal degeneration causing blindness

Responsible breeders will provide proof of genetic testing results for both parent dogs. Avoid breeders who do not perform these tests.

Vaccinations

Yorkie puppies should receive a series of vaccines to protect against dangerous infectious diseases:

6-8 weeks: Parvovirus vaccine[5]
10-12 weeks: Distemper, Adenovirus, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus vaccine (DA2PP) [6]
16-18 weeks: DA2PP, Rabies vaccine[7]

Vaccines prime the immune system to mount a response against disease-causing viruses and bacteria. Following this vaccination schedule is crucial for your puppy’s health and to prevent serious illnesses.

Deworming

Intestinal parasites are extremely common in puppies. A proper deworming schedule rids puppies of worms and allows for healthy growth.

Puppies should be dewormed: [8]

At 2, 4, and 6 weeks old
Then monthly until 6 months old

Common dewormers like pyrantel pamoate or fenbendazole are given orally. Deworming puppies prevents intestinal parasites from causing malnutrition, diarrhea, and even death.

In summary, responsible Yorkie breeders will screen parent dogs for genetic diseases, vaccinate puppies on schedule, and deworm puppies routinely. Insist on seeing proof of health checks before bringing your Yorkie puppy home. These steps ensure your new furry friend will have the best chance at a long, healthy life.

References

[1] https://www.pawprintgenetics.com/products/breeds/53/

[2] https://www.genomia.cz/en/breed/yorkshire-terrier/

[3] https://vgl.ucdavis.edu/breed/yorkshire-terrier

[4] https://www.akc.org/breeder-programs/breed-health-testing-requirements/terrier-group-health-testing-requirements/

[5] https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/puppy-shots-complete-guide/

[6] https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/puppy-shots-complete-guide/

[7] https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/puppy-shots-complete-guide/

[8] https://www.pawlicy.com/blog/puppy-deworming-schedule/

Citations:
[1] https://thedogtale.com/yorkie-health-issues/
[2] https://www.luxeyorkies.com/copy-of-parasites-cocidia-giardia
[3] https://www.pawprintgenetics.com/products/breeds/53/
[4] https://www.yorkieinfocenter.com/yorkie-health-problems
[5] https://animalcarefs.com/puppy-vaccination-schedule/
[6] https://www.genomia.cz/en/breed/yorkshire-terrier/
[7] https://ahcfargo.com/client-resources/breed-info/yorkshire-terrier/
[8] https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/puppy-shots-complete-guide/
[9] http://www.annespreciousyorkies.com/genetic-testing.html
[10] https://www.handicappedpets.com/blog/yorkshire-terrier-health-problems/
[11] https://network.bestfriends.org/proven-strategies/operations/medical-cleaning-care/puppy-protocol-deworming-and-vaccines
[12] https://vgl.ucdavis.edu/breed/yorkshire-terrier
[13] https://www.dummies.com/article/home-auto-hobbies/pets/dogs/breeds/terriers/recognizing-common-health-issues-in-yorkshire-terriers-195948/
[14] https://www.pawlicy.com/blog/puppy-deworming-schedule/
[15] https://www.akc.org/breeder-programs/breed-health-testing-requirements/terrier-group-health-testing-requirements/
[16] https://www.ctvsh.com/services/dogs/breeds/yorkshire-terrier
[17] https://www.sissyjspoochies.com/yorkiebaby-basics
[18] https://www.gooddog.com/breeds/yorkshire-terrier/health-testing-guide
[19] https://www.petmd.com/dog/breeds/yorkshire-terrier
[20] https://www.justanswer.com/dog-health/26ony-gave-yorkie-puppies-de-worming-medicine.html
[21] https://www.primspuppies.com/dna-and-genetic-testing
[22] https://www.thedrakecenter.com/services/dogs/dog-vaccinations
[23] https://embarkvet.com/resources/dog-breeds/yorkshire-terrier/