Frustrated and sad Yorkie Mama

[ralagna]

I love Yorkies more than anything I actually cannot picture my life without ever having one of these little companions. As you all know they are truly the most loving, entertaining, and charismatic little animals !

Here is my frustration though...this is my second baby. My first one Rocky (7lbs) died at the age of 8 from meningitis May 2009, completely unfair still breaks my heart I adopted my new little guy Gio (3lbs) in November 2010. He is almost 2 now and he was diagnosed with a possible liver shunt or MVD in September of 2010. We are exploring further with surgery to find if there is in fact a shunt (no shunt found in ultra sound). I am worried sick and cannot imagine going through this again and not to mention my vet bills are crazy!!!

I guess what I am getting at is are there any healthy babies that live long lives out there ?! Sorry to vent but I am so frustrated, broken hearted, and worried sick I love my little guy more than anything, sad he has to go through this too...

[Ellie May]

I'm sorry.
It is hard to see them sick.

My girl has a long list of health issues and it isn't fair, but I guess that's life...

Is your regular vet doing the exploratory? Liver biopsy? No talk about a scintography to check for a shunt? That is usually how they are ruled in or out if nothing shows on ultrasound. It's non-invasive.

[DvlshAngel985]

I know what you mean. My little one has bad LP, and one of his canine bff's has digestive issues. Seems like that little pup will need extra probiotics in her system always to keep her from constantly having the runs.

But, if I may be so bold, have we reflected to see what kind of breeder our babies came from? BYBs or puppy mills (pet stores) perhaps? The breeders didn't care about our baby's parents, and as a result, our babies have issues. It doesn't take away the joy, laughter, and all the love we share with our babies. It should just help us understand why they have so many issues.

[My lil friend]

I am so sorry that you are feeling so bad and frustrated. Not all of my furbabys are yorkies but I see our vet a minimum of once a month with somebody for some reason. I was there Monday to pick up new meds for two dogs with CT,Tuesday I went back with a dog that was having tummy problems (did bloodwork $$$ and recieved two more meds). I was there last week to pick up heartguard and meds for the 14yr old dog with hip problems.
I too am a bit frustrated, I didnt' go to the Dr with my 6 children this much.
I will keep your baby in my prays and hope that somewhere in there you will find peace.

[Beer Belly]

Originally Posted by ralagna

I love Yorkies more than anything I actually cannot picture my life without ever having one of these little companions. As you all know they are truly the most loving, entertaining, and charismatic little animals !

Here is my frustration though...this is my second baby. My first one Rocky (7lbs) died at the age of 8 from meningitis May 2009, completely unfair still breaks my heart I adopted my new little guy Gio (3lbs) in November 2010. He is almost 2 now and he was diagnosed with a possible liver shunt or MVD in September of 2010. We are exploring further with surgery to find if there is in fact a shunt (no shunt found in ultra sound). I am worried sick and cannot imagine going through this again and not to mention my vet bills are crazy!!!

I guess what I am getting at is are there any healthy babies that live long lives out there ?! Sorry to vent but I am so frustrated, broken hearted, and worried sick I love my little guy more than anything, sad he has to go through this too...

Our Frisco just turned 17 years old this past Valentines day....he's had his issues...but has always come thru. Prior to Frisco, we had Casey for 14 years....we did lose Bonkers (our first Yorkie) at 8 years during surgery....was also have currently have Codi who is 8 years old and showing no signs of slowing down....just say "din-din" and watch him go

[SWHouston]

I am SO sorry to hear of your hardships with your animals...
and, please don't take what I'm about to say as being harsh.

One MUST check out the Breeder thoroughly !
Ask for references who you CAN contact, to establish a healthy
BloodLine for that Breeder. NOT buying an animal from a Breeder
who won't furnish that information, will force him by excluding from
sales, to reduce the quantity of unhealthy animals out there.

I just don't use a volume Breeder for just such as you have experienced.
This would include Pet Stores and Online purchases as well.

One of our "faults" in purchasing is, that we get in a rush, and want
the animal NOW ! One must suppress this, take his time in the search
for a vendor who will furnish an animal, which we can love and support
for years to come. Healthy animals are available !

Keep in mind how long they'll be with us...
Being careful and methodical about the choice, is worth it !

[ralagna]

Thank you for the responses!! They are doing exploritory and taking a liver biopsy. They have to remove bladder stones also. It is going to be very $$$$$$$

I did get him from a friend who got him from a breeder who she claimed was reputable. I was impulsive with him I could not help but fall in love with that little face I felt like we were meant for eachother so I guess I should not be so frustrated...but I am still sad.

I agree with SW Huston though my next little love will definitely come from a breeder and I am going to be very picky on who I choose. I am happy to hear that there are some good breeders out there and that some of you have been lucky to have some of your little babies for a long time! I am hopeful I will be this lucky. Any suggestions on how to find a good breeder? Also, how do you check to make sure that have a healthy blood line?! I need to know all of this because I will always have a yorkie they are the best!!!!

[Beer Belly]

Our ol guy (Frisco) had to have surgery for a suspected blockage in his intestine....turned out there was nothing there ....but they didn't like the look of his Liver and did a biopsy...turn out he was diagnosed with Chronic Hepititas of the Liver....been on meds for years since (at least 4 years)...he's fine on that front. Codi, our 8 year old suddenly couldn't urinate, had 5 Stones removed surgically....he's also been great since (8 months), so your guy should do just fine

[Beer Belly]

Codi's bill for surgery to remove stones was $2,400....but what are you to do, it's gotta get done....the years of unconditional love you get in return is worth a heck of a lot more than that....you can't put a price on it. Keep us in the loop...sending prayers for a speddy recovery.

[SWHouston]

ralagna,

Our hearts go out to you sincerely. As BB has stated, the money
is secondary, knowing the pain that each of you is going through
is really what hurts.

I'm so glad that you didn't take what I said wrong, I wasn't chastising
you, but only to make you more aware, and certainly more cautions.

We have an area which may help you here, in the Library, take a look at
Breeding and Breed-Specific Library - YorkieTalk.com Forums - Yorkshire Terrier Community

You'll see related issues discussed there, and in the top section of
each Section of the Forum (those are the "sticky" Topics).

read Read READ !

[ralagna]

Beer Belly thank you for the response, reassurance, and the well wishes and you are so right the money doesn't matter because he is worth it

SWHouston, I did not take it wrong at all I need to know this for future because I will always have a yorkie I wish I could have 10 of them! It is so easy to be impatient and just fall in love without doing the proper research. I have learned my lesson though! Thank you for the suggestions I will definitely look into that link you posted.

Please pray for my little man

[ralagna]

One more question is the YTCA a good website for finding a reputable breeder?

[DvlshAngel985]

Originally Posted by ralagna

One more question is the YTCA a good website for finding a reputable breeder?

The YTCA is the Yorkshire Terrier Club of America. They are the organization that sets the standard that yorkies are shown to through the AKC. Any member of the YTCA is held to a code of Ethics and Conduct. You should check them out and read what they stand for. Yorkshire Terrier Club of America

If you agree with their ethics and code of conduct, they're a great place to start looking for a reputable breeder. Just don't go in blindly. Use their referral list and screen. You never know, there might be a bad apple in there.

[Beer Belly]

I'm not sure I would put 100% that you'll get a Yorkie that will live a long, healthy life just because it came from a breeder....granted, it'll easier to track the bloodline. I know it is taboo to buy from pet stores, and I'm sort of ashamed to say I've purchased from them. Our Yorkie Frisco, who just celebrated his 17th birthday, came from a pet store....the Wife wanted to surprise me with him as a gift, and the pet store was the easiest and fastest route....Codi, our 8 years old, also came from a pet store....he was 5 months old, and looking like crap, so we consider our purchase a "rescue" of sorts. I know it's taboo, but I guess I got lucky, and got 2 great boys. We in the past, bought our first 2 Yorkies from a breeder, they were also great boys....Bonkers lived to 8 years old....died on the operating table for a burst spleen.....the operation went will, just never woke up....Casey lived to 14 years, had trouble breathing, I believe his techea collasped, and he had a heart attack while at the vets....he had a history with an enlarged heart....I love the ones I have, and still love the ones that await my arrival over the bridge....regardless of where they came from

[DvlshAngel985]

Originally Posted by Beer Belly

I'm not sure I would put 100% that you'll get a Yorkie that will live a long, healthy life just because it came from a breeder....granted, it'll easier to track the bloodline. I know it is taboo to buy from pet stores, and I'm sort of ashamed to say I've purchased from them. Our Yorkie Frisco, who just celebrated his 17th birthday, came from a pet store....the Wife wanted to surprise me with him as a gift, and the pet store was the easiest and fastest route....Codi, our 8 years old, also came from a pet store....he was 5 months old, and looking like crap, so we consider our purchase a "rescue" of sorts. I know it's taboo, but I guess I got lucky, and got 2 great boys. We in the past, bought our first 2 Yorkies from a breeder, they were also great boys....Bonkers lived to 8 years old....died on the operating table for a burst spleen.....the operation went will, just never woke up....Casey lived to 14 years, had trouble breathing, I believe his techea collasped, and he had a heart attack while at the vets....he had a history with an enlarged heart....I love the ones I have, and still love the ones that await my arrival over the bridge....regardless of where they came from

You're right. It isn't a guarantee. However, with a store bought pup your on your own as far as knowing what medical conditions are in your dog's history, and who or how you'll pay for said illnesses. With a reputable breeder, you gain more knowledge as to what health is behind your dog, and if things were to go wrong the breeder will be there for you and your dog. Breeding is serious business, and a reputable breeder takes that resposibility seriously. If a dog was to become very ill, they would be more than happy to refund you your money so you can get the care the pup needs. That's where the major difference comes in.