Eye Care for Yorkshire Terrier - Symptoms, Signs and Treatment

This small breed dog was developed in the 19th century in Yorkshire England to catch rats in cloth mills. Weighing just 7 pounds with a gray, black, or tan coat, the Yorkshire Terrier is a popular companion dog.

The Yorkshire Terrierhas a long life span, almost up to 17 years. They make wonderful companions and great watchdogs as they have a tendency to bark a lot, especially at strangers. Health concerns are a worry for pet owners, as most of the diseases that Yorkies are prone to are genetic. However, this does not mean that your dog will always develop these.


Yorkshire Terriers or Yorkies as they are commonly called, are more prone to developing eye problems including:

• Cataracts
• Dry eye
• Abnormal retina
• Inflammation

All these eye problems can be easily identified by observing your dog for any change in behavior. Cataracts affect Yorkies at about 5 years of age. The lens of the eyes looks cloudy instead of clear. Dry eyes are very painful as the tear glands do not produce the tears which are required to keep the eyes moist. This dryness causes redness and inflammation which results in squinting or thick discharge. Immediate medical attention is required if you observe these symptoms. Abnormal retina is another problem that affects the lining of the eye which may be one of the reasons for inflammation.

Symptoms of Eye Problems

• Blinking or Squinting
• Water or thick mucus discharge from the eyes
• Cannot tolerate direct light
• Redness
• Inflammation
• Change in color of the iris usually a blue shade

Treatment

• Dry eyes can be treated with eye drops which lubricate the eyes and which will assist the body in forming natural tears. This also reduces the redness and inflammation. If the tear duct is damaged then surgery may be required
• There is no treatment for corneal dystrophy a condition where a crystal like matter grows on the dog's eyes. It is not painful and does not blind them completely but it does affect the Yorkshire Terrier's vision

Eye Care

A single stray hair can scratch your pet's eyes. Keep the eyes clean while paying special attention to ensure no hair is touching the eyeball. The eyes should be wiped with a soft cloth that is dampened in warm water at least once a week. This prevents build-up of dirt, debris, dust, and foreign objects that may go into the eyes.

Trim any excess hair short so that no hair comes close to the eyes and keep the hairs surrounding the eyes clean. You may groom your Yorkshire terrier by tying the hair in a topknot when grooming. If you do identify any of the symptoms of eye problems, it is important to visit your veterinarian who will determine the most appropriate treatment for your pet.