Yorkshire Terrier Health Care Calendar — Age-Specific Checkup and Patellar & Dental Care Schedule

ImmunityBreed HealthMeongsiljang Veterinary Advisory Board

Yorkshire Terriers are a small breed prone to genetic conditions such as tracheal collapse, patellar luxation, and portosystemic shunt. We’ve outlined age-specific routine check-up schedules and the essential items to keep in mind.

Why Are Regular Checkups Important for Yorkshire Terriers?

A Yorkshire Terrier undergoing a check-up at the veterinary clinic.

Yorkshire Terriers are a toy breed particularly prone to genetic conditions such as tracheal collapse, patellar luxation, and portosystemic shunts (hepatic vascular anomalies). The key to regular check-ups is catching issues before symptoms appear. Due to their small size, diseases can progress and worsen rapidly, so it’s safest to have a basic check-up before age one and comprehensive exams every six months starting at age seven.

5 Conditions Yorkshire Terriers Need to Be Especially Watchful For

These are the key health concerns to prioritize when planning a Yorkshire Terrier’s checkup. As a toy breed, Yorkies may be predisposed to congenital and genetic conditions, making regular screening essential. We recommend discussing breed-specific common ailments with your veterinarian to tailor your pet’s preventive care plan accordingly.

Tracheal Collapse: A progressive condition in which the windpipe in the neck flattens and narrows, typically worsening gradually over time.

Patellar Luxation: A disorder where the kneecap slips out of its normal position, progressing in stages depending on severity.

Portosystemic Shunt: A congenital vascular anomaly in which blood bypasses the liver instead of flowing through it.

Periodontal Disease: Due to their small mouths and crowded teeth, Yorkies are at higher risk for tartar buildup and gum inflammation.

Hypoglycemia: A potentially life-threatening emergency that requires particular vigilance in puppies and small-breed dogs.

Puppy Stage (0–12 Months) Checkup Schedule

Young Yorkies have weaker immune systems and are at higher risk for hypoglycemia. In addition to vaccinations and deworming, it’s essential to include screening for congenital abnormalities.

6–8 weeks: First round of core vaccines, fecal exam for parasites, and initial physical examination

10–12 weeks: Second round of vaccines, cardiac auscultation to check for congenital heart disease

14–16 weeks: Third round of vaccines, rabies vaccination, and patellar luxation assessment

6 months: Pre-neutering blood work, including liver function (bile acids) testing to screen for portosystemic shunt

A young Yorkshire Terrier receiving vaccinations

Essential Comprehensive Exam Before Age 1

Yorkshire Terriers are prone to many congenital conditions that may remain asymptomatic, so we recommend a comprehensive health check at least once before they reach one year of age. In particular, bile acid testing (both fasting and postprandial) is essential for the early detection of portosystemic shunts. Since patellar luxation is graded on a scale from I to IV, it’s helpful to document any changes in grade annually.

Adult Stage (1–6 Years) Checkup Items

Even if your dog looks healthy, an annual checkup is essential. Yorkshire Terriers can develop serious issues quickly if subtle changes are missed.

Basic Physical Exam: Weight, heart rate, auscultation, and oral health assessment

Blood Tests (CBC + Chemistry): Liver and kidney function, anemia screening

Urinalysis: Essential for this breed due to their predisposition to bladder stones

Dental Scaling: Recommended every 1–2 years, with pre-anesthetic blood work

Patellar and Cardiac Re-evaluation: Monitoring for any changes in condition grade

Checkup Frequency by Age at a Glance

Item	Puppy (0–1 yr)	Adult (1–6 yrs)	Middle-aged (7–9 yrs)	Senior (10+ yrs)
Basic physical exam	Quarterly	Once a year	Every 6 months	Every 3–4 months
Blood test	Once before neutering	Once a year	Every 6 months	Every 6 months
Urinalysis	Optional	Once a year	Every 6 months	Every 6 months
Echocardiography	Auscultation only	If abnormal	Once a year	Once a year
Tracheal collapse exam	Auscultation	When coughing	Chest X-ray once a year	Chest X-ray + fluoroscopy
Dental scaling	Not needed	Every 1–2 years	Once a year	Depending on health status

The interval may be adjusted depending on the individual's health status. It's best to consult your veterinarian to set a customized schedule.

Middle Age (7–9 Years) — Starting Comprehensive Exams

Yorkies essentially enter their senior years around age seven. At this stage of life, it’s wise to shorten the interval between check-ups to catch any health issues early, so we recommend regular veterinary exams every six months. In older dogs, imaging tests like chest X-rays can help monitor changes in the lungs and heart, making them a valuable part of routine care. However, since normal age-related changes may also appear on chest images in senior dogs, professional interpretation by a veterinarian is essential. If your dog suddenly starts coughing dry and frequently, don’t wait—seek veterinary care right away. For more detailed information on respiratory diagnostics, including symptoms and management of tracheal collapse, please refer to our guide on Tracheal Collapse Symptoms and Management.

An elderly Yorkshire Terrier after completing a health checkup

Senior Stage (10+ Years) Essential Exam Items

We recommend regular senior panel screenings for pets over 10 years of age.

Thyroid function test (T4): To monitor age-related hormonal changes

Echocardiogram: For early detection of mitral valve insufficiency

Abdominal ultrasound: To screen for tumors in the liver, gallbladder, and bladder

Ophthalmic examination: To assess the progression of cataracts and glaucoma

Joint evaluation: To check for changes in gait

Keeping a record of each examination result makes it easier to track changes over time.

What to Tell Your Vet During a Yorkshire Terrier Checkup

Before your visit, jot down any changes you’ve noticed over the past one to two weeks. Details like appetite, water intake, coughing frequency, urine color, and breathing patterns during walks can all provide valuable diagnostic clues, even if the changes seem minor. For procedures requiring anesthesia, such as dental scaling or certain ultrasound exams, pre-anesthetic blood work is essential, especially for small breeds like Yorkshire Terriers, which are at higher risk.

Reviewed by a veterinarian

Dr. Tony — Punnawat Phongkittirak

Veterinarian

A veterinarian who majored in veterinary medicine at Khon Kaen University, Thailand, and completed the IVSA program at North Carolina State University in the United States. Drawing on clinical experience at animal hospitals, he works in the pet healthcare field and is dedicated to building a digital care environment that connects pet parents with veterinarians.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should a Yorkshire Terrier have its first health checkup?

It’s best to have your new pet’s first physical exam within the first 1–2 weeks after adoption. During this visit, we’ll establish a vaccination schedule and screen for any congenital conditions. We also recommend checking liver function with a bile acids test no later than six months of age.

Even if my pet looks healthy, should I still have them checked annually?

Yes, Yorkshire Terriers are prone to many conditions that progress without obvious symptoms. By the time owners notice signs of tracheal collapse, heart disease, or periodontal disease, the condition is often already advanced. That’s why annual physical exams and blood tests are essential.

Is there a way to reduce the cost of check-ups?

Taking advantage of senior dog packages and age-specific health checkup programs offered by veterinary clinics can be more cost-effective than paying for each test individually. It’s also beneficial to complete these checkups before enrolling in pet insurance, as pre-existing conditions may not be covered.

How often should my pet get a dental scaling?

Yorkshire Terriers have small mouths with crowded teeth, which causes tartar to build up quickly. Professional dental cleanings are typically recommended every one to two years, and annually for senior dogs. However, because anesthesia carries risks, pre-anesthetic blood work and a cardiac evaluation are essential.

My pet is coughing frequently. Is it okay to wait until the next regular checkup?

If a dry cough persists for more than a week, or if your dog makes a honking sound like a goose when excited or during walks, don’t wait for a routine checkup—seek veterinary care immediately. These could be early signs of tracheal collapse.