We just adopted a 12 yr old Yorkie

[MsChristy]

Hi all! This is my first post here. We just adopted a 12 year old female Yorkie last night from the humane society. From what I can tell, she -seems- healthy, except for a few minor (?) issues. I've never had a Yorkie before, but so far I am head over hills in love with this sweet lady.

Her name is Bailey Button and from the paperwork, the only health issues they noted were lots of tartar build up on her teeth and some hair loss on her back. The previous and original owner indicated that Bailey was eating Bil-Jac chicken and oatmeal dry food. Apparently anytime she was on other food, she would have skin irritation. I think this is what she was eating: Senior Dog Food

Since this is something she may have done well on, should I try to continue her on it or will it be okay switching to something else? This is what I grabbed from PetSmart last night: Senior Toy Breed Natural Dog Food : NUTRO® NATURAL CHOICE® Dog Foods - The Nutro Company So far she seems to prefer the wet food rather than the kibble, even when the kibble has been softened a bit.

Aside from trying to figure out what to feed her, I'm also wondering about how to clean her eye area. She has pretty dark staining from crusty build up and I was only able to get some of it off when I bathed her today. She really did not want me messing with her face and I didn't want to get too aggressive with her on her first full day in a new home.

Is there something I can apply to the crusties to get them to loosen up to make it easier to clean? I figure that it will be easier to tell if she has excess tearing from allergies once I can get her face cleaned up.

Third thing is the dental situation. What are good treats to give her to help her teeth stay clean? I bought a few that were recommended by an employee at PetSmart, but Bailey turned her nose up at them.

Thanks in advance for any advice! I've had dogs before, but never one this small.

[Julia Howard]

I am not at home so I cant tell you the name brand but they make wonderful
little eye pads that clean the gook from around the eyes. They come in a small jar and remind me of the old Stridex pads for acne. I got them at Jeffers. Sometimes you have to trim some of it with small scissors too.

Julia

[pagonzal]

Oh bless the little sweetie! What a lucky to have you!

Pam

[My lil friend]

Crangrats and WELCOME!! I wont be much help with the food question,but Im sure someone else will come along with an answer.
As for the 'eyeboogies',there are many products out there,but I just use water. I wet a wash cloth and just hold it on top until it softens,then use the same wash cloth to east the boogies out. I try to keep Mina's eyes clear by doing this everyother morning or as needed,its easier if you do a little at a time.
Teeth,it sounds like she needs a dental cleaning. Yorkies are a toy breed and they have tooth issues. After you have her teeth cleaned you can try to brush her front teeth with a doggie toothbrush. Be sure to have bloodwork done before the cleaning as this involves sedation. Mina's are brushed every morning just like mine (sounds silly,really works). She may be turning down the chewie things because her teeth hurt. Hopefully you have a vet that you trust,if not ask some of your friends who they use.

[Marhcarter]

Bless you for rescuing this sweet lady and welcome to YT.

[loveyorkiegirls]

Congrats on adopting Bailey Button! Can't wait to see pictures of your sweet girl.

[Lisa and Pic]

Hi and welcome to YT! Bless you for the adoption of a senior.

I recently picked up a foster from a county humane society, that is a senior, and he had absolutely terrible eye crude around his eyes. I worked on it with a wet wash cloth gently patting and then using my fingernails to gently pull out the crude. I also worked on it when I gave him a bath. Now I do this twice a day and it is perfect.

Teeth cleaning... he also had his teeth cleaned and ask your vet if your little one needs it.

Sorry, I do not have knowledge of food, but hopefully someone else can help in that area.

Can't wait to see pictures and hear how Bailey Button is doing in her new, wonderful home. I think seniors make great pets, by-the-way!

[ladyjane]

Wonderful that you adopted this precious baby!

I strongly urge you to get her to a vet for a check up including basic lab work. She definitely will need a dental. There is nothing that will take the plaque off of those teeth. The longer that stuff stays there, the more at risk she is for illness from the bacteria.

Good luck and keep us posted. Post pics when you can

[yorkietalkjilly]

Ladyjane said all I would say better than I could. Visit a good, reputable vet tomorrow or the next day and get her started on vital assessment and help, particularly necessary in a little Yorkie lady of a certain age. A tooth could abscess at any time and create a lot of pain, infection, things like that. Yorkies don't have good dentition so they need a lot of help with that getting professional cleanings, extractions when in bad shape and then after that, teeth brushing daily and regular dental check-ups besides her medical checks.

Welcome to YorkieTalk and thank you again for giving a loving, caring home to this little one. I hope you enrich each others lives and enjoy many years together.

[Buster Brown]

I agree with the other posters that a vet evaluation is the first priority. I wanted to say that it is wonderful that you adopted Bailey Button. You will find the Yorkie personality irresistible! Best wishes to you and Bailey. Welcome to YT.

[KimInMD]

Thank you so much for adopting this special little lady. Seniors have so much love to give. "Ladyjane" is right, Baily Button will need a dental very soon. Please get her in soon to see your vet for a complete blood workup. Consider a high quality, grain free kibble, since it appears she has allergies. You can moisten some with water, and store it in a tupperware in the refrigerator, then warm it up for a few seconds in the microwave before serving. I too wonder if her little mouth hurts when she eats. For the "eye gook", I use a warm washcloth to soften it, then comb it out with a flea comb. That works very well. For the dark stains, try Gerber Baby Water ( $1. a gallon, at Walmart in the Grocery/ water section /blue jug). Serve the water in a stainless steel bowl. You should notice an improvement within a couple days. Cut the old stained hair off as the new, clean hair grows out.
I admire you so much for taking in this sweet baby. The world needs more good people like you. God bless you with many wonderful days together. Please, please, post pictures of your baby girl soon. Welcome to Yorkie Talk. We are so glad you are here!

[msyorktown]

Hello and welcome to YT. Bless you for taking in Bailey Button, it sounds like you are already smitten. Yorkies are the best breed ever in my opinion....sorry I'm biased...

[Jacksmom052709]

Hello and welcome! Bailey Button is sure lucky to have you! I really don't have anything to add to what the others have said. I just switched my two Yorkies over to Halo's Spot's Stew (Ellen Degeneres is part owner in the company). My little ones were itching before (on Royal Canin) but the itchiness seems to be stopping. Good luck with Bailey!

[MsChristy]

Thanks all! I have an appointment Monday with a vet for Bailey, so knowing what to ask about is very helpful. I will post a few pictures later.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by MsChristy

Thanks all! I have an appointment Monday with a vet for Bailey, so knowing what to ask about is very helpful. I will post a few pictures later.

That's great...keep us posted! Looking forward to your pics!