Health clearances are important for Yorkshire terriers and other dog breeds to detect any hereditary health-related problems that their litter might have before breeding. This will make sure that the litter’s health is not compromised with any kinds of diseases and health conditions from their Yorkshire terrier parents.
But what should a health clearance cover for a Yorkshire Terrier?
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What Should a Health Clearance Cover for a Yorkshire Terrier?
There are different health clearance or health testing coverage depending on your chosen association. For instance, the American Kennel Club (AKC) requires patella evaluation and ophthalmologist evaluation for Yorkshire terrier breeds in their association. Let’s go over the most important aspect a health clearance for a Yorkshire Terrier should cover.
DNA Test
Before breeding, the dam (which refers to female dog parent) and sire (which refers to male dog parent) should undergo DNA testing to ensure that the Inbreeding Coefficient (COI) is within 9.6% or lower.
Despite being a common and famous breed, Yorkshire terriers are also prone to accidental inbreeding practices that can expose Yorkshire terrier litter to high risk of in-born defects as well as hereditary or genetically inherited health problems and issues.
This will not only inflict health problems to Yorkshire terrier puppies, it can also endanger the dam’s life through a straining birth process. Most Yorkshire terriers have small and fragile bodies that are prone to infection and health problems. Thus, strenuous activities like birth can stress your Yorkshire terriers especially if her puppies have birth defects and health problems.
Chiari Malformation Syringomyelia Test
The chiari malformation syringomyelia is a condition that affects Yorkshire terrier’s spine and skull. This can lead to extreme pain and crippleness.
Sadly, this condition can develop hereditary health issues. This is why Yorkshire terriers should undergo this test in order to detect this specific disease.
Yorkshire terriers that have this chiari malformation condition are not advisable to breed. This condition can be extremely painful and fatal, especially for dams.
Eye Test
Yorkshire terriers should also have an eye test before breeding to ensure that there are no eye conditions. It includes cataracts, primary lens luxation, and progressive retinal atrophy in parents.
These types of diseases are known to be hereditary. This can lead to eye complications and blindness in the long run.
Through eye tests, the long line of eye problems and conditions like these can be avoided and eliminated. This includes within the gene pool of the breed.
Common Health Issues for Yorkshire Terriers
While there are a few Yorkshire terrier health issues you can detect through testing and screening such as DNA test, chiari malformation test, and eye test, some of the most common diseases of Yorkshire terriers do not have available tests for future detection and diagnosis.
Thus, these kinds of health issues can only be treated once their symptoms appear. Do not have readily available tests for health clearances. They are equally important to know and understand for the well-being of your Yorkshire terriers especially if you want to breed them.
Here are the common health issues that Yorkshire terriers have:
- Urolithiasis – formation of stone and crystals in Yorkshire’s urinary tract.
- Chronic hepatitis – a condition that affects the liver.
- Different kinds of cancers – a condition that can affect different parts of Yorkshire terrier’s body, most particularly skin cancer.
- Hydrocephalus – fluid on the brain.
- Atopy – extreme sensitivity in irritants like pollen and dust particles that can lead to allergies.
- Portosystemic shunt – a heart condition that affects the normal blood circulation.
- Legg-Calve-Perthes disease – a malformation in the bones that can cause excessive pain.
- Meningitis of the brain
- Patellar luxation – a condition that can cause kneecap dislocation.
- Diabetes
- Tracheal collapse
- Different kinds of heart diseases
- Different fatal inflammatory conditions, like insect bites among others
Other disease that might have Yorkshire terrier is heartworm disease, especially if they usually stay where mosquitoes are common.
With that, you should also consider regular physical check-ups from veterinarians and health professionals. This will help in order to detect these kinds of life-threatening diseases to your Yorkshire terriers.
Importance of Health Clearance to Yorkshire Terriers
Health clearance is a must-have especially if you are planning on breeding your Yorkshire terrier. It’s either with another Yorkshire terrier for a purebred litter or with other appropriate breeds for crossbreed puppies. Aside from this, here are some of the reasons why health clearance is important for breeds like Yorkshire terriers.
Health Factors and Life Longevity
Hereditary diseases and conditions can be traced through tests and screenings before breeding. This process is important in order to prioritize the health and life longevity of Yorkshire terrier litters.
By avoiding breeding Yorkshire terriers with hereditary health conditions, you can also help the gene pool of Yorkshire terrier breeds. This will help them to be stronger and more robust against health conditions.
With that, Yorkshire terriers, despite their size and fragile body, can live a happier, longer, and more active lifestyle. Also, they can free from health-related hereditary risks in the future.
Genetic Diversity
Health clearance, particularly the DNA test, is an important screening process for Yorkshire terriers. This clearance is important in order to assure that inbreeding is not condoned. Inbreeding can cause a lot of birth defect instances along with genetically inherited conditions and diseases that Yorkshire terrier puppies can have.
Along with that, the genetic diversity of the Yorkshire terrier breed should be well maintained. It should maintain in order to produce a good breed line free from birth defects and genetic mutations. These two problems can lead to genetic disorders and illnesses through time.
Conclusion
Yorkshire terrier health clearance should cover important tests and screenings in compliance with major kennel associations for breeding. With that, tests such as DNA test, chiari malformation syringomyelia test, and eye test are the main health clearance. This health clearance you should cover for Yorkshire terriers.
