Immunizations:

• Puppy shots should be given no more than three weeks apart
• Rabies can be given at 12 weeks of age or 16 weeks if preferred. 
• Puppies SHOULD NOT PLAY OUTSIDE UNTIL THEY HAVE AT LEAST TWO SHOTS (12 weeks is best).      

Heartworm:

• Should be given monthly year round depending on brand used.

Wormer:

• We use Nemex until 12 weeks of age.
• after 6 months, use a wormer that includes tape worm treatment.

Food:

• Offer puppies dry food free choice.
• 1st choice is Royal Canin "Mini" brand.   Babydog 30 is recommended from weaning to 8 weeks of age.   Next, feed Royal Canin, Puppy 33, recommended for ages 2 to 10 months of age.  Finally, change puppy to Royal Canin, Yorkshire 28, which is specifically formulated for the needs of the adult Yorkshire Terrier age 10 months and over.
• Ceasars, Pedigree or Mighty Dog (wet) once or twice a day.  Try to mix dry with wet food on second feeding.  As puppy eats more dry food, decrease the amount of wet food.

Water:

• Offer free choice.
• Nutri-Cal or sugar water if suffering from hypoglycemia (syringe it into mouth if necessary.   More on Hypoglycemia later...

Important Suppplements:

• Nutri-Cal.   A high calorie dietary supplement for small pets.  Nutri-Cal won't burden the digestive tract.  It provides an added source of energy for puppies and suppliments their calorie or nutritional intake.  Give as needed.  If puppy is sick, give twice a day.
• Nutri-Drops.  A high energy nutrient-rich concentrate.  It dramatically energizes weak, hypoglycemic puppies.   Good for any stress situation.  Give as needed.
• Imodium.  Is what you can give if puppy gets a watery stool.  You can find it in any drug store.  It is the same as what people take.   Give one half cc.  Ask your veterinarian how many times a day to give depending on the situation.  Pepto Bismal can also be given for stress diarrhea.
• Albon.  Used to treat coccidiosis.   If a puppy has a runny stool for more than two days, or blood in the stool, have a vet check it for coccidiosis, hook worms and whip worms.  It's vital to get a good worm medication as these worms can be a threat to your puppies health. 

Living Quarters:

• YORKIES MUST LIVE INSIDE...Large dogs, owls, coyotes etc. will eat them!
• YORKIES CANNOT TOLERATE COLD CLIMATES!

Crate:

• When you are not home (dogs are den animals by nature) they should be crate trained.  Items to keep in crate:  Litter box or wee wee pad, food and water, bedding and (chew) toys.

Bath:

• Every two weeks with conditioner (important).
• Take care to dry ears.  Water can keep ears moist and cause a yeast infection.
• Always blow dry hair (Yorkies get cold easily).

Grooming:

• Yorkie hair is like human hair, they do not shed.
• Comb hair at least twice a week (metal comb).
• If combing is not done regularly, matting will occur (shaving hair is the end result).
• Pull hair from ears every 4-6 weeks (prone to ear mites).
• Shave ears 1/3 of the way down evey 4-6 weeks (keeps them standing.  You can use a mustache trimmer).
• Shave back side every 4-6 weeks (to keep potty off them).
• Trim hair around feet every 4-6 weeks.
• Trim nails every 4-6 weeks.
• Begin brushing teeth as an adult.  Yorkies are prone to periodontal disease.
• Scissor clip legs to 1 1/2 inches and body hair 2-3 inches off the floor if not showing your dog.
• Yorkies need to be groomed on a regular basis very young so they learn to accept the process.

Ears:

• Yorkies will scratch ears if one of the following conditions are present:
• Ear mites (dark brown or black mass in ears).  Take your dog to the vet to confirm and treat with recommended ear mite medicine.
• Yeast infection (ears are red and/or smelly).  Take your dog to the vet to confirm and treat with recommended yeast medication.

Collars, Harness or Leash:

• Yorkies can be prone to collapsed trachea.
• Yorkies can wear a collar, however, for walking on a leash, a harness is recommended.

                                HYPOGLYCEMIA

                      (Hypoglycemia means Low Blood Sugar)

This condition is more often seen in toy breed dogs less than 5 months of age.  These dogs have more brain mass per body weight as compared to other breeds and therefore, need more glucose for brain function.  Other causes may include: excessive excercise or stresses such as a routine car trip, which occurs in the absence of a meal can cause the blood sugar to drop to dangerously low levels, low environmental temperatures, infections, vaccination, strenuous exercise, and inadequate nutrition can increase the risk even further.

Signs:  Weakness, tired or droopy, listlessness, and loss of appetite.  These are followed by loss of mental alertness, wobbliness, muscle twitching or shaking, seizures and death.

Treatment:   If the puppy is awake, give it Nutri-Cal, or Karo syrup by mouth or use a syringe.  If the puppy is not able to swallow, it is possible to rub these items on the gums during transport to the Vet.

Prevention:  Prevent Hypoglycemia from hapening by allowing only twenty minutes of play at a time, followed by rest or sleep.  Do not allow the puppy to overtire.  Supervise closely with children to make sure pupy is getting enough rest.  Keep puppy warm, don't let it become chilled.  Feed a quality dog food.  Keep dry food and water available at all times.  Mix the dry dog food with the soft at least once a day.  When puppy is older feed according to weight chart on the food bag or consult your Veterinarian.

If you decide to switch to another brand of dog food, do it gradually by mixing in a little of the new food in each day.