Why is my Yorkie so bony

My Yorkie Is Limping: 4 Reasons Why & What To Do

When your Yorkie starts limping, be it on a front or back leg, understanding the cause, assessing the seriousness, and knowing the appropriate response are crucial.

In this article, well explore potential reasons behind your Yorkies limp and discuss the next steps you should take.

4 Reasons Why Your Yorkie Is Limping

When your Yorkie starts limping, its definitely worrying!

When my 4 year old start limping I was immediately worried thinking about what happened and whether or not its serious...

The reasons behind this can be many. Yorkies, like other dog breeds, may limp due to a range of factors such as sprains, broken bones, fractures, joint or ligament issues, dislocations, injuries to the paw, or issues related to the spine.

Paw Issues

One common reason why your Yorkie might be limping is a paw injury. It could be that your little furry friend has stepped on something sharp or irritating during their latest walk.

This prompts them to try and keep their paw off the ground, leading to a limp.

Yorkies paws are sensitive and can easily be affected by sharp objects, temperature changes, or harmful chemicals. This is a prevalent issue, particularly if your Yorkie spends a lot of time outside in public places.

General Injuries or Trauma

Yorkies, just like us, can suffer injuries from everyday accidents. They can sprain a leg, stumble over an object, or even suffer from strain due to overexertion.

Such injuries are, in fact, the most common cause of limping in dogs and can range in severity.

Yorkies, despite their small size, are energetic and love to jump around. However, this can lead to injuries. Its advisable to prevent your Yorkie from jumping too much, especially from higher surfaces like sofas or beds.

Here are some potential causes of general injury or trauma:

Jumping on or off furniture Going up and down stairs excessively Falling from elevated surfaces Overexertion from exercise Running too fast or too long Slipping on icy surfaces Getting paws or legs caught in doors Accidental stepping on their paws or legs

Spinal Problems

The breeds physical structure makes Yorkies particularly prone to spinal issues, such as Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD). In this condition, the discs between the spinal bones either bulge or rupture.

These abnormal discs can press on nerves along the spine, causing severe pain, movement difficulties, and in severe cases, even paralysis.

Frequent jumping and hard landings are common culprits that lead to such spinal problems.

Joint Disorders

Joint health is a significant concern, particularly as your Yorkie ages.

The umbrella term joint disease includes a host of conditions such as hip dysplasia, osteoarthritis, elbow dysplasia, ligament disease, intervertebral disk disease, and osteochondritis dissecans.

These conditions can occur due to various reasons and at different life stages. Although generally seen in older dogs, certain problems like IVDD and hip/elbow dysplasia can occur even when Yorkies are still puppies.

When To See a Veterinarian

The truth is, its challenging for any of us to determine the exact cause of a Yorkies limping unless its due to an evident issue such as a fresh wound on the paw.

If its not evident why your Yorkie is limping, then our best advice is to contact your veterinarian.

A phone call can provide you with immediate insights and allow you to schedule a necessary appointment.

However, you may notice your Yorkie limping when the vets office is closed

Whether its a sudden or gradual limp, if it doesnt appear to cause severe discomfort or pain to your Yorkie, it can typically wait for a few hours. As soon as possible, though, you should contact a veterinarian.

Instances like broken bones, dislocations (dragging limbs), or severe wounds are time-critical and must be addressed promptly.

Seek immediate help at an emergency veterinary center or your local vet if you notice any of the following:

Visible fractures or unnatural bends Serious wounds and profuse bleeding Legs or limbs that are hanging or dragging (indicative of dislocation) An unusually warm limb Severe weakness

Hopefully, your Yorkies situation isnt dire and they arent in noticeable pain.

So, to summarize: If youre unsure about whats causing your Yorkie to limp, calling your local vet is the safest bet. If your Yorkie isnt in pain, its generally acceptable to wait a few hours if the vets office is closed.

Gradual Onset Limping vs. Sudden Limping

The nature of your Yorkies limp, whether its a sudden occurrence or has been progressively developing over time, holds significant implications.

Gradual onset limping often suggests an underlying chronic health issue or disease, which can potentially be more serious than sudden limping, usually indicative of a recent injury or minor cut.

When assessing the situation, its important to consider whether the limp emerged suddenly or gradually, as this will likely be one of the first questions your vet asks. This information is vital for an accurate diagnosis.

Regardless of whether its a sudden or gradual limp, its crucial to treat it with seriousness. Its always best to have it professionally examined.

What To Do Now

Until youve determined the exact cause of your Yorkies limp and have reached out to your vet, its advisable to maintain a calm environment and limit physical activities like walking, jumping, or playful roughhousing.

Rest plays a vital role in healing. Just as we humans would exacerbate a sprained ankle by excessive movement, the same principle applies to your furry friend.

If the limp is due to a minor scrape or insignificant cut, a vet visit might not be necessary. However, a quick call to the vet can provide you with guidance on addressing the issue at home.

Treatment for small cuts on the pads usually involves cleaning the wound to ensure its free from debris and then applying a bandage. At times, topical ointments (like Polysporin) may be recommended. Again, a quick consultation with your vet is always the best route.

Related: Can Polysporin Be Used on Dogs?

Until your Yorkie regains their normal gait, its important to significantly scale back on their physical activities and exercise.

Back Leg Limping But With No Obvious Pain

Yorkie owners frequently observe their pet limping on their back leg, seemingly without any pain.

So, what exactly is going on?

If your Yorkie doesnt appear to be in discomfort, the limp is generally attributed to a minor injury such as a slight sprain or superficial cut. Many dogs can still walk, or even run, despite these minor issues, though its best if they dont.

In other less serious cases, owners might mistake a hop or skip in the dogs gait for a limp. Many small dogs exhibit a skipping motion in their back legs for reasons we dont fully understand. So, ensure this isnt what youre observing.

Final Thoughts

A limping Yorkie should never be ignored or overlooked. Whether the limp occurs suddenly or gradually, it needs to be addressed. Sometimes your Yorkie may be limping due to a simple cut or sprain, but it could also indicate a more significant underlying health issue.

Why Is My Yorkie Panting So Much: (reasons why & what to do)

Concerned Yorkie owners often ask questions about panting!

How do you know if your Yorkie is panting excessively? What does it mean? Is it time to worry?

These are all great questions, and this article will explain everything you need to know about quick-breathing Yorkies.

Yorkies will pant quickly most often to cool themselves down. Other times a Yorkie will pant rapidly include after exercising, playing, getting excited, experiencing something new, or even after a stressful event.

All of this will be explained below.

Yorkies & Fast Panting

This is a surprisingly common question many owners have, so youre not alone here!

Its certainly worrying watching your Yorkie pant to no end. We wonder if they are okay? If we need to do something? And when itll stop

As explained above, the vast majority of panting is to cool down. Yorkies, like all dogs, cool down via panting and sweating through their paws.

There are actually many other normal scenarios that can result in quick panting. So It helps to know these as it will ease some nerves.

What Causes Yorkies to Pant Quickly

Aside from hot weather and going for their daily walk, what else causes Yorkies to pant rapidly?

Why Yorkies Pant So Much:

• After getting excited for any reason
• When anticipating an event (eating or going out)
• When socializing with new people, dogs, or animals
• When traveling in a car
• In response to unfamiliar sounds or events (fireworks)

All of these situations could be whats causing your Yorkie to pant.

In these scenarios, quick panting is not something to worry about.

4 Bad Causes of Quick Panting

So when is panting something to worry about?

Lets explain four causes of panting that warrant further investigation (or even a call to the vet).

1. Stress/anxiety

Yorkies can get stressed or anxious by many things, and of course, some causes are more concerning than others.

A classic reaction to stress or anxiety is excessive panting thats completely out of place (or cant be justified)

Sometimes, it could be a specific event in the day that causes a Yorkie stress, which then triggers panting.

On the other hand, if your Yorkie is dealing with long term stress or an existing anxiety condition, then quick panting may happen consistently throughout the day.

Causes of stress/anxiety in Yorkies:

• Under-stimulation
• Insufficient interaction
• Insufficient socialization
• Being left alone too long
• Loud outside noises (noisy neighbors)
• Issues within the household
• Grieving

Further informationPetMD

As you can see, many situations can cause excess stress in Yorkies. Some of which can be considered short-term issues, whereas others may be chronic and more serious.

2. Dehydration or heatstroke

Dehydration and/or heatstroke is something that Yorkie owners should address as soon as possible.

Excessive panting is just one of many signs of dehydration and heatstroke.

• Loss of skin elasticity
• Loss of appetite
• Vomiting with or without diarrhea
• Reduced energy levels and lethargy
• Excessive Panting
• Sunken, dry-looking eyes
• Dry nose
• Bright red/purple gums
• Sticky saliva
• Seizures
• Disorientation
• Weakness
• Headshaking
• Fainting

Most dogs go about their days being a little dehydrated, so thats something we can fix easily by actively encouraging further drinking.

Encouraging more water consumption:

Buying more water bowls, replacing the water frequently, incorporating water into meals, or giving ice cube treats are all easy tricks to try.

Heatstroke, however, is more serious and may need veterinary attention. The most serious symptoms like seizures, fainting, weakness, and disorientation typically signify heatstroke.

AKC source

3. Allergies

Unfortunately, Yorkies are prone to different kinds of allergies, along most other breeds.

From food allergies and pollen allergies to chemical allergies, all allergies can trigger rapid panting.

Its also important to remember that allergies can develop slowly over many years.

Your Yorkie may not have had any allergies in the past, but it doesnt mean they cant develop one in the future.

4. Underlying health issues

Specific health issues may also trigger excessive panting

These health issues all list heavy panting as one of their symtpoms.

We dont have the knowledge that vets do, so its crucial to keep up to date with general health checkups! We cant diagnose serious issues like this at home without the help of an expert.

Health issues typically come with additional symptoms too, so if you notice any of the following, we suggest speaking to your vet.

• Lethargy
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Food refusal
• Unexplained behavioral changes
• Excessive sleeping
• Whining
• Quick weight gain or loss

Whats Normal Panting vs Excessive Panting?

So how are we supposed to know when the panting is normal or something to worry about.

Unfortunately, there isnt a specific number of pants that we can count to know if the panting is okay, or troublesome.

Its all about context and the recent events leading up to the panting. This is how we know if the panting is normal or not.

Whenever you see your Yorkie panting quickly, take a second to consider what theyve just been doing

Can the panting be justified?

Has your Yorkie just played, exercised, gone out in the sun? Are they waiting for food or responding to a loud noise outside?

• If you spot your Yorkie panting when they have no reason to be, this is when its worth considering the possibility of stress/anxiety issues, dehydration, allergies, or health issues.

For example, If your Yorkie has been relaxing in a cool shaded quiet room with nothing in particular going on, then theres no reason for them to pant. Any kind of panting in this situation would be out of place.

So before worrying about your Yorkie panting, its crucial to first consider what your Yorkie has been doing recently and whether or not it can be justified.

Trending: Are Black Colored Yorkies Real?

Why Do Yorkie Puppies Breathe So Fast?

Yorkie puppies breathe faster than adult Yorkies as they have not yet learned to efficiently regulate their own body temperature.

This is actually the same for puppies or all breeds!

Until young pups learn how to breathe and cool down effectively, their breathing will be a little quick and erratic. This is completely normal!

Back to more Yorkie articles