Are Yorkies Prone To Seizures? (What You Need To Know)

Yorkies are prone to a number of health issues.

You probably already know this.

In particular, they tend to suffer from certain congenital problems.

But what about seizures? Are Yorkies also prone to seizures?

All dogs can get seizures. And Yorkshire terriers are no different.

Keep reading to learn if Yorkies are more likely to suffer from seizures than other breeds. We’ll also discuss the different types of seizures they can get and some common causes for them.

 

Are Yorkies Prone To Seizures?

Yorkies are not prone to seizures. However, this does not mean that they never have them. Your Yorkie could still have a seizure at any time.

If your Yorkie starts having recurring seizures, you may want to take it to the vet. There may be an underlying health condition behind the seizures.

Let’s take a closer look at seizures in Yorkies. We begin with the different types of seizures and then see what can cause them.

 

Different Types Of Seizures

Seizures are a neurological disorder that causes your Yorkie to have a fit. They will usually collapse onto the floor and could even become unconscious after a seizure.

There are different types of seizures that your Yorkie can have. Let’s take a look at the different types of seizures.

It could have a generalized seizure, a focal seizure, a psychomotor seizure or an idiopathic epilepsy seizure.

A generalized seizure is the most common one. It will usually last for a few minutes and affects the entire brain.

A focal seizure usually only affects one part of the body, since it only affects one part of the brain.

A psychomotor seizure will disorientate your dog for a few minutes and an idiopathic epilepsy seizure is a result of genetics and hereditary issues with your Yorkie.

 

Seizure Symptoms

You may be wondering how you will be able to tell if your Yorkie is having a seizure. Signs to look out for include a dazed or confused look, twitching, drooling, spasms, a foaming mouth, collapsing, loss of consciousness and pooing or peeing.

 

What To Do If Your Yorkie Has A Seizure

If your Yorkie has a seizure, gently move it to a safe place, so that it doesn’t cause itself any harm. You also want to make sure your pup does not overheat.

Take your Yorkie to the vet in an emergency. Your Yorkie may be prescribed anti-convulsant drugs or have its blood taken or be given a physical examination.

 

Causes Of Seizures In Yorkies

There are a number of possible causes of seizures in Yorkies. Let’s take a look at some of the most common ones.

 

Epilepsy

A common reason for recurring seizures is epilepsy. This condition only affects a small number of dogs. It only occurs in 2% to 3% of dogs, so the chance of your Yorkie suffering from epilepsy is extremely low. But it is not impossible.

If your vet diagnoses your Yorkie with epilepsy, he or she will prescribe some medication that your Yorkie can take to ensure the epilepsy is easy to manage. It will help limit the number of seizures your Yorkie gets.

 

Food Issues

Your Yorkie may also keep getting seizures if you are feeding it toxic food. You may not realize that a certain food is toxic, but there are toxic foods that can be an issue for your little friend.

You should avoid feeding your Yorkie any chocolate, caffeine, alcohol and even nuts. All of these foods can have a major effect on your Yorkie.

Chocolate is a well-known poison for any dog. If they eat too much chocolate, it may cause seizures. It can even be fatal.

Caffeine can raise your Yorkie’s heart rate and alcohol can cause numerous issues, too. Not only will your Yorkie become intoxicated, which can cause seizures, but the alcohol can also damage its liver.

If your Yorkie does eat toxic food and has a seizure, you need to take it to the vet right away. It is always better to be safe than sorry.

 

A Brain Tumor

A seizure could also be an early sign of a brain tumor. When you take your Yorkie to the vet for a seizure, they will usually x-ray your dog to see if it has any tumors.

If your vet can’t find a tumor, it is also possible that your Yorkie suffered a nasty brain injury, probably as a result of it hitting its head.

If a tumor is indeed the case, your vet will run through the best course of treatment for your Yorkie. The outlook is not usually good, unfortunately.

 

Is It Normal For Yorkies To Have Seizures: Final Thoughts

It is not normal for Yorkies to have seizures, but it definitely can happen. There are a number of possible causes of seizures and there are four different types of seizures that can affect Yorkshire terriers.

Overall, Yorkies are not prone to seizures any more than most other dog breeds. If a seizure does happen, it is usually a sign that something is very wrong. It is usually best to see a vet immediately, especially if the seizures are a recurring event.