Health Issues in Teacup Yorkies

Teacup Yorkshire terriers are just regular Yorkies that are smaller than the normal Yorkie, which is already a very small dog. There is no separate breed standard for teacup Yorkies. Teacup Yorkshire terriers are very inbred, and their small size makes them subject to heath problems. Teacup Yorkies do not live as long as regular Yorkies.

  1. Digestive Problems

    • Teacup Yorkies are subject to early tooth loss and poor tooth formation. They also may have severe digestive disorders. Teacup Yorkies are subject to vomiting and diarrhea. This causes issues with blood sugar levels, and the dog may go into a coma and die due to blood sugar imbalance before the owner even realizes there is a problem. They also may have problems with bladder and bowel control.

    Bone Development

    • Normal-sized Yorkies are subject to patellar luxation, a condition where the kneecap in the dog's hind legs is not firmly held in place. This causes severe pain when the kneecap grinds against the leg bones. This problem is widespread in teacup Yorkies, because of their small gene pool. Teacup Yorkies also can't jump from any height because of their thin, fragile bones. Any fall leaves them open to the risk of broken bones.

    Tracheal Collapse

    • Tracheal collapse is caused when the cartridge rings that hold the dog's airway open become flattened. This is usually caused by a collar or leash pressing on the dog's neck. The dog coughs and wheezes for air when excited, growing more and more upset because it can't get enough oxygen into its lungs. All small dogs are susceptible to tracheal collapse, but the teacup Yorkie's small size makes the problem more likely to occur.

    Other Congenital Defects

    • Teacup Yorkies can also have tumors or heart and kidney defects. Kidney problems can cause diabetes, which makes it even more challenging to monitor the dog's blood sugar levels. Heart problems and tumors may not show up until much later in the dog's life, and the conditions need to be diagnosed by a veterinarian.