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tiny yorkie

20 11:39:23

Question
Hello, I just purchased a tiny (1lb 8oz) 17 week old yorkie.  I expected her to come home and act like a puppy, playing and such but all she does is sleep.  Is this normal?  I also noticed a soft spot on her head...is this normal?  I just want to make sure things are going like they should.  Thanks!!

Answer
Angie,

Your Yorkie is very very tiny for her age.  I would expect that she should be playing also.  Sometimes when they are that small they develop a little slower than their larger counterparts.  There are several things that could be causing her to act this way.  First I would ask if she is eating and drinking.  If she is than you probably have nothing to worry about.  If you just got her in the last week she could be suffering separation anxiety.  When the puppies are separated from their mother and siblings they sometimes suffer separation anxiety.  Since yours was older than the usual time that puppies are sold (usually eight weeks old) it will be a more traumatic experience for her.  Does she play at all?  Small puppies tend to be weaker than larger ones and require more rest.  If she is playing for a short time and then sleeps it is probably because she is so small.  If she continues to show signs of weakness or fatigue that worries you then you should take her to the vet and have him check to make sure she is healthy.  If she is not eating and drinking then I would take her to the vet right away.

As far as the soft spot on her head that is totally normal.  It should over the period of the next year close up but if it doesn't don't be surprised.  I have had Yorkies whose soft spot never closed up and this usually happened with the very tiny ones.

Your baby sounds very frail to me and I don't know if that is a good thing.  Everyone wants a small Yorkie but I believe that sometimes they can be too small and that makes them frail and prone to health problems.  If you could find something to feed her that has a lot of protein in it she might be able to put on a little weight which would give her more energy.

Just as an after thought, if she were my Yorkie I would take her to the vet just to be on the safe side and because he could probably recommend what you could feed her to give her more energy.

Sincerely,

Melinda

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