My Yorkshire Terrier is very small - only 4lb and has a collapsed trachea. How long do you think he will live?

Question

He is now 5 years old and was the runt of the litter. He is a pedigree dog. His condition was diaganosed by the vet. He also has an irregular heart beat. Serious answers appreciated as i love my little boy.

Sorry - i need to explain further. The trachea is a congenital condition. He is not on medication. I just wondered if anyone knew how long his life-span is likely to be. I mean he hasnt been sent home to die! He was diagnosed last year.

Answer 1

has your vet told you to feed him very small food? I have feeling that could help the little fella. A friend had a tiny one she was the runt too she lived to be 13 so good luck.

Answer 2

Unfortunatly, runts are very prone to illness and eventually death. It isn't very uncommon for a runt to live a long life, though he or she will require unconditional love, and there may be a time where money is involved. A collapsed trachea only enhances the problem... I'd have to honestly say to just watch him carefully. It'd be better if you could always be home with him, but that's just not possible.
Talk to your vet, (s)he would have the best answer for you. Good luck to both of you. ☺♥☺

Answer 3

Hi only a vet can give you this information. I would take him to the vet and check with the vet. He may live just as long as any other dog, but the vet will know for sure.

Answer 4

I'm not a vet and the best advice I can give is make the most of the time you have with him and do what you can to keep him healthy.
What did the vet suggest? Did he say it would need no treatment?
Its difficult to suggest anything as we don't know how severe either of the problems are - they may have little effect on his quality of life or life expectancy.

Answer 5

I suspect it would be impossible for anyone to say, unless they are a vet, and then it would only be a "best guess" as they would need to see him to be sure.

I suspect that if the vet has passed him safe to go home, then he's very likely to recover (so long as he takes life very gently). The irregular heartbeat isn't unusual in small dogs, so I wouldn't worry too much about that.

My best advice to you is to get back in touch with the vet who diagnosed him and ask them what their professional opinion is, as to his prognosis. I hope he recovers and you are able to be together for a long time yet.

Answer 6

With your love and care he should exceed his life expectancy. My aunt has a shih tzu who was expected not to see five years due to chronic heart condition/respiratory conditions and she is now 13 and still going! Also my Great Dane has all the health problems they can get and is past her average 8 year life expectancy. She is a walking miracle. Just take the best possible care of him that you can, he will pull through and surprise you.

Answer 7

I do not know the answer to your question but I wanted to tell wish you good luck with your little guy. I know how much he must mean to you and can only imagine how worried you must be. Perhaps the vet can give you more information on how long he can survive with these conditions.

Best of luck.

Answer 8

The only people who have any hope of giving you a decent answer would be those who have seen your dog and have veterinary training - that rules any of us out I'm afraid.

Best advice I can give is to keep an eye on him, and to enjoy whatever time you have with him. He's obviously really special to you and despite his medical problems he is still lucky to have an owner that loves him so much.

Answer 9

I don't know to be honest, did the vet not give their opinion? Is he in any pain? Does he take medication? I hope you get a long, happy time with him = )

Answer 10

Oh Faith
Your poor dog and poor you, i have a Westie and i know if anything happened to her i would dye, i really don't know what to say to you. I really think your vet should have give you all that information. Again i am truley sorry for you both.