A dog from any breed can experience a seizure. Yorkshire terriers, or Yorkies, are not one of the breeds known for being prone to canine epilepsy, the leading cause of seizures in dogs, but a significant number of Yorkies do seize for related conditions.
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Portosystemic Shunt
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Yorkies are prone to getting a hereditary condition called portosystemic shunt, or liver shunt, which prohibits blood flow to the liver. This condition causes a buildup of toxins in the blood and is the leading cause for seizures in Yorkies.
Brain Tumor
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A brain tumor can cause seizures in Yorkshire terriers, whether or not the tumor is malignant. As the tumor grows, the seizures may progress from partial seizures to grand mal seizures, with anti-convulsants becoming ineffective against controlling the seizures.
Hypoglycemia
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Transient juvenile hypogylcemia is a serious drop in blood sugar that causes seizures in Yorkies, and also affects many other small breeds. The dog may become disoriented, start frothing at the mouth and seize; it can be fatal if not treated in time.
Brain Injury or Trauma
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Any significant fall or bump to a Yorkshire terrier can cause serious trauma to the brain. The signs may not be immediately obvious, but seizures would develop within days or weeks, then subside with time or become worse if the injury does not heal.
Poisoning
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A Yorkie that ingests poisons such as flea powder, rat poison, lead, chocolate or thallium can react with severe seizures. Without immediate medical treatment, the poisoning may lead to irreparable damage or death.
Summary
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Sometimes, even a vet will not be able to determine what caused the seizure in your Yorkshire Terrier. Seizures, with the exception of canine epilepsy, are warning signs of other underlying disease and can be caused by the aforementioned conditions, or indicative of Lyme Disease, kidney failure, or distemper.
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