What health issues should I watch for in my Yorkie or Schnauzer?

Thank you for submitting your question regarding your dogs. I find heelers to be hardy dogs. I have seen obesity and subsequent joint problems. Mainly I see behavioral issues. They are very intelligent dogs and need both physical and mental stimulation. If an owner is unable or unwilling to provide this, problems can result. Labradors are powerful chewers and will eat anything. I see a lot of foreign objects ingested that require surgical removal. As far as the chiweenie, dental disease will be a huge issue with that breed combination. I would start brushing her teeth daily now so that she becomes accustomed to it. You should also plan on her first professional dental cleaning (under anesthesia) around one year of age. If you commit to her oral health it will make a huge difference for her in the longterm. The other problem that could arise is back pain. Having a longer back, could make her more prone. Keeping her at a healthy weight is the best prevention. Congratulations on your new dogs and I hope this information helps!

Those are a lot of issues to manage at once. Kidney disease can make many painful conditions harder to manage since some pain medications can’t be used. Gallstones can cause issues that may require surgery. There isn’t a good treatment for tracheal collapse other than to keep them calm, manage coughing and inflammation, and weight loss if they are overweight. Your question may be better suited to the vet that has all of the lab results. If you can get a copy, you can use a Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach consult so we can evaluate them and help you decide where to go next.

Oh my goodness, what cuties! Congratulations! While there are certainly problems that we know that are more common in certain breeds, we know less about whether or not mixes that are from those breeds are as likely to have these issues, or not. Certainly chihuahuas are prone to "small dog problems", such as luxating patellas (laxity in the kneecap) and dental disease are common, and in dachshunds back disease is a big problem, so these would be the first things I would worry about and want to do what's necessary to prevent. Tooth brushing and good weight management are key in these issues. Blue Heelers are hearty dogs and don't have a lot of hereditary problems but be careful with overfeeding because they are predisposed to obesity. Enjoy your new pets!

Because this dog is a small breed dog, it can be prone to patella luxation, which is when the kneecap moves out of it's correct anatomical place. If it is severe, it requires surgery to fix. Other health problems include eye problems, allergies, ear infections, dental problems, reverse sneezing, and white shaker syndrome. Because they are small dogs, there is often the tendency to want to treat it like a baby and carry it everywhere. It's not recommended to do that, it will lead to a difficult dog. It should be treated like a dog, and should walk. They can be a bit stubborn, which makes house training harder, so I would recommend using a crate to help with that. Always use positive and consistent training.

Chihuahua are typically healthy dogs but a few common problems associated with the breed include patella luxations, collapsing trachea, and dental disease. The best thing would be to have him examined by a vet for a check-up to identify any abnormalities. I also recommend having him neutered.

Yorkies and other small breeds, can commonly have genetic problems such as luxating patella (knee cap) or lack of blood supply to the hip. It can move in and out of place depending on how bad it is. Sometimes there is a popping noise and they will often bunny hop when running. I would have your vet check the leg to be sure what the problem is as these can require a surgery to prevent further injuries and pain

Unfortunately, without an exam it would be hard to say what is going on with Yusi. Issues such as allergies to something in the environment such as pollen, upper respiratory infections, issues with the nose, throat, or lungs, and other underlying health issues can all be possible causes. If this has happened more than once, is ongoing, or Yusi seems very ill or in distress, it is a good idea to schedule a veterinary checkup to rule out any health issues and get any symptoms treated.