help new owner - YorkieTalk.com Forums

bevm · 10-07-2007, 07:29 AM

i have just become the owner of a yorkshire terrier, shes an old girl and unfortunatly i know next to nothing of her history i am looking for some help with getting her back into good health. she has some small hair loss and very itchy skin though i can find no parasites. she is very thin, is this normal for an older dog? i,ve always had large dogs in the past and have been very lucky that they were always healthy and robust untill old age got the better of them, and this tiny loving yorkie just seems so delicate i`m unsure of what to do for her, i have a vetinary appointment for in a few days but would be very grateful if anyone could give me any tips untill then.

s13silviagirl · 10-07-2007, 07:47 AM

How old is she? What kind of food are you giving her? Good food can do wonders for the hair loss and itchy skin.

If you look in the other sections and search a little for key words, then I am sure you can find hours and hours of reading that will help you out. I know I do! hehe.

Welcome to YT and welcome to the Yorkie family!

bevm · 10-07-2007, 08:01 AM

we think she is between 10 and 11 but she doesnt look it. i got her from a neighbour who has moved home, which i did`nt know untill the day after i got her, thought i would be able to talk to them if i had any questions about her. they gave me some tins of PAL but i have been slowly weaning her onto pedagree and hope to introduce her to dried food.

s13silviagirl · 10-07-2007, 08:07 AM

Well, pedigree isn't the best of dog foods.

I did a search for 'premium pet foods' and this is the results:

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sea...archid=1855346

I know a lot feed innova, and Canidae (which I will be switching too once I am back to the US, as it is a great quality food and reasonably priced!). Also, a lot of ppl homecook on this forum too (boiled chicken breast, steamed carrots ect).

Hope that helps you out a bit more than my last post.

Lisa

bevm · 10-07-2007, 08:07 AM

just wanted to say a quick thank you for answering my message i have to sign off now but will be checking out the forums for help. . .alot

Yorkiekids · 10-07-2007, 09:26 AM

There's a whole thread of good and bad quality food. Hopefully someboy will be able to find the comparison list and post it here for you. There are also some really good shampoos and conditioners you can use on here. Best wishes and Welcome to YT.

Suzy · 10-07-2007, 09:47 AM

Welcome to YT!

Sounds like your little gal might have some allergies-they can be caused by the change in seasons, detergents or other things in the house, or the food she's eating. My first guess would be the food-many dogs have corn/wheat allergies that can make them itchy.

Check out the different dog foods at www.dogfoodanalysis.com

Most yorkie owners would recommend a 4-5 star food for their pets. The 6 star foods are for working dogs-they're too much for what yorkies need. As you can see, Pedigree isn't a high quality food.

You might also talk to your vet and see if there is something you should be supplementing with, such as vitamins, nutrical, or other foods.

J_is_my_initial · 10-07-2007, 09:53 AM

Welcome and great of you to adopt a new member of your household. Lots of good advice on here.

Akhong · 10-07-2007, 11:00 AM

WELCOME TO YT!

You've come to the right place to get information about the new addition to your family. The people on here are absolutely WONDERFUL and are SO knowledgeable and experienced in everything Yorkie related.

Best of luck to you and your new fur baby!

yorkiesmiles · 10-07-2007, 01:27 PM

Glad you found us on YT -- welcome!

You've had lots of good advice already. If she's been eating canned food, I'm wondering what condition her teeth are in?? I'm sure the vet will be checking those -- I much prefer dry food, but make sure she her teeth are in good condition. Although, I believe dry food would also help her teeth.

Canned food also is so easy to eat, some animals are lazy about changing, but a good quality food may tempt her. Also, if you need to you could add a bit of water at first to the dry food.

If her teeth are an issue soft home-cooked food may be a good answer for you

Ellie May · 10-07-2007, 01:42 PM

Welcome to YorkieTalk!

The first two things I would look at with hair loss are allergies and mange. Allergies could be from just about anything (I am thinking maybe corn if that is one of the ingredients in her food). It could also be environmental allergies. I would definately get her off the Pedigree and onto something that is higher quality. I personally like canned food better than dry since it is less processed. Her teeth are probably not in wonderful condition since she is a Yorkie. Maybe you could brush them? Let us know what the vet says.

10-07-2007, 07:29 AM	#1
bevm YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: nottingham Posts: 3	help new owner i have just become the owner of a yorkshire terrier, shes an old girl and unfortunatly i know next to nothing of her history i am looking for some help with getting her back into good health. she has some small hair loss and very itchy skin though i can find no parasites. she is very thin, is this normal for an older dog? i,ve always had large dogs in the past and have been very lucky that they were always healthy and robust untill old age got the better of them, and this tiny loving yorkie just seems so delicate i`m unsure of what to do for her, i have a vetinary appointment for in a few days but would be very grateful if anyone could give me any tips untill then.

10-07-2007, 07:47 AM	#2
s13silviagirl Donating YT Addict Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Sunny Southern California!!!! Posts: 1,877	How old is she? What kind of food are you giving her? Good food can do wonders for the hair loss and itchy skin. If you look in the other sections and search a little for key words, then I am sure you can find hours and hours of reading that will help you out. I know I do! hehe. Welcome to YT and welcome to the Yorkie family! __________________ My cute little Turbo butt! YES, we are also avid members of the CRAZYCLUB & Little Gentleman's Club! Turbo 's Tumi!!!

10-07-2007, 08:01 AM	#3
bevm YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: nottingham Posts: 3	hello we think she is between 10 and 11 but she doesnt look it. i got her from a neighbour who has moved home, which i did`nt know untill the day after i got her, thought i would be able to talk to them if i had any questions about her. they gave me some tins of PAL but i have been slowly weaning her onto pedagree and hope to introduce her to dried food.

10-07-2007, 08:07 AM	#4
s13silviagirl Donating YT Addict Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Sunny Southern California!!!! Posts: 1,877	Well, pedigree isn't the best of dog foods. I did a search for 'premium pet foods' and this is the results: http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sea...archid=1855346 I know a lot feed innova, and Canidae (which I will be switching too once I am back to the US, as it is a great quality food and reasonably priced!). Also, a lot of ppl homecook on this forum too (boiled chicken breast, steamed carrots ect). Hope that helps you out a bit more than my last post. Lisa __________________ My cute little Turbo butt! YES, we are also avid members of the CRAZYCLUB & Little Gentleman's Club! Turbo 's Tumi!!!

10-07-2007, 08:07 AM	#5
bevm YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: nottingham Posts: 3	thanx just wanted to say a quick thank you for answering my message i have to sign off now but will be checking out the forums for help. . .alot

10-07-2007, 09:26 AM	#6
Yorkiekids Piper & Sebastian Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: florida Posts: 14,495	There's a whole thread of good and bad quality food. Hopefully someboy will be able to find the comparison list and post it here for you. There are also some really good shampoos and conditioners you can use on here. Best wishes and Welcome to YT. __________________ Susan, Piper ,Harley & Suiki

10-07-2007, 09:47 AM	#7
Suzy 2 Pups=Double Trouble! Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Iowa Posts: 6,581	Welcome to YT! Sounds like your little gal might have some allergies-they can be caused by the change in seasons, detergents or other things in the house, or the food she's eating. My first guess would be the food-many dogs have corn/wheat allergies that can make them itchy. Check out the different dog foods at www.dogfoodanalysis.com Most yorkie owners would recommend a 4-5 star food for their pets. The 6 star foods are for working dogs-they're too much for what yorkies need. As you can see, Pedigree isn't a high quality food. You might also talk to your vet and see if there is something you should be supplementing with, such as vitamins, nutrical, or other foods. __________________ Suzy Emma & Milli What's better than loving a yorkie? Loving two yorkies! Milli 's Remi!

10-07-2007, 09:53 AM	#8
J_is_my_initial YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Knoxville,Tennessee Posts: 3,073	Welcome and great of you to adopt a new member of your household. Lots of good advice on here. __________________ PAWPRINTS AND DOG HAIR ENHANCE MY PERSONAL STYLE.

10-07-2007, 11:00 AM	#9
Akhong Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Vancouver Posts: 175	WELCOME TO YT! You've come to the right place to get information about the new addition to your family. The people on here are absolutely WONDERFUL and are SO knowledgeable and experienced in everything Yorkie related. Best of luck to you and your new fur baby! __________________ Tobi's mom

10-07-2007, 01:27 PM	#10
yorkiesmiles Donating YT 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Iowa Posts: 9,493	Glad you found us on YT -- welcome! You've had lots of good advice already. If she's been eating canned food, I'm wondering what condition her teeth are in?? I'm sure the vet will be checking those -- I much prefer dry food, but make sure she her teeth are in good condition. Although, I believe dry food would also help her teeth. Canned food also is so easy to eat, some animals are lazy about changing, but a good quality food may tempt her. Also, if you need to you could add a bit of water at first to the dry food. If her teeth are an issue soft home-cooked food may be a good answer for you __________________ yorkiesmiles Loved by Bubba & Roxy *Holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come*

10-07-2007, 01:42 PM	#11
Ellie May And Rylee Finnegan Donating Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Metro Detroit, MI Posts: 17,928	Welcome to YorkieTalk! The first two things I would look at with hair loss are allergies and mange. Allergies could be from just about anything (I am thinking maybe corn if that is one of the ingredients in her food). It could also be environmental allergies. I would definately get her off the Pedigree and onto something that is higher quality. I personally like canned food better than dry since it is less processed. Her teeth are probably not in wonderful condition since she is a Yorkie. Maybe you could brush them? Let us know what the vet says. __________________ Crystal, Ellie May (RIP), Rylee Finnegan, and Gracie Boo🐶