Seizures in Yorkshire Terriers: Causes, Symptoms, and What to Do

Watching your Yorkie have a seizure is one of the most frightening things a dog owner can experience. One moment they're perfectly fine; the next, they've collapsed and their body is moving in ways you've never seen. The instinct to do something — to help — can actually make things worse if you don't know what to do.

The good news: most seizures in Yorkies are brief, have identifiable causes, and are treatable. Yorkshire Terriers are prone to a specific set of conditions that trigger seizures, and understanding them is the first step toward protecting your dog.

Last updated: March 2026 · Reading time: ~10 min

Why Yorkshire Terriers Are More Prone to Seizures

Yorkies face a higher seizure risk than most breeds for two main reasons.

First, their tiny body mass — typically 4 to 7 pounds — means they have very limited glucose reserves. Blood sugar can drop quickly, especially in puppies, without frequent feeding.

Second, Yorkshire Terriers have one of the highest breed-specific rates of portosystemic liver shunts, a condition that allows blood toxins to bypass the liver and accumulate in the bloodstream — often causing neurological symptoms including seizures.

Beyond these breed-specific factors, Yorkies can develop the same seizure disorders that affect any dog: idiopathic epilepsy, brain tumors, toxin exposure, and infectious disease. Knowing which cause is most likely requires a vet evaluation.

Common Causes of Yorkie Seizures

Tap any card to see signs, context, and what to do for that specific cause.

The Three Phases of a Seizure

Most seizures unfold in three stages. Recognizing all three helps you respond effectively and give your vet useful diagnostic information.

Is this a seizure? Check the symptoms

Not every episode of shaking or unusual behavior is a seizure. Use this tool to assess the symptoms you are observing and get guidance on how urgently your Yorkie needs veterinary care.

What to Do During a Seizure

The most important thing you can do is stay calm and keep your Yorkie safe — not stop the seizure. Seizures must run their course. Restraining your dog can lead to injury for both of you, and putting your hands near their mouth during convulsions risks a serious bite.

After the seizure passes

Your Yorkie will likely be confused, disoriented, and exhausted. Some dogs experience temporary blindness or unusual thirst. Keep them in a calm room with low stimulation — dimmed lights, minimal noise, no excited children or other pets. Stay nearby but do not smother them.

Before you call the vet, write down: how long the seizure lasted, what your Yorkie was doing immediately before it started, what they last ate and when, and whether any new flea/tick products or medications were recently applied. This history is invaluable for diagnosis.

When to Go to the Emergency Vet

Go immediately if:

• The seizure lasts more than 5 minutes (status epilepticus)
• Your Yorkie has multiple seizures within 24 hours without fully recovering between them
• Your Yorkie doesn't regain consciousness after the seizure ends
• You suspect toxin ingestion

For a first-time seizure that resolves in under 2 minutes, call your regular vet for a same-day or next-day appointment. Don't skip this step even if your dog appears completely normal — the underlying cause still needs to be identified.

How Vets Diagnose the Cause

Your vet will start with a physical exam and detailed history. Standard blood work — including a complete blood count, chemistry panel, and bile acids test — can identify hypoglycemia, liver dysfunction, or other metabolic causes.

If bloodwork is normal, imaging is the next step: abdominal ultrasound to look for a liver shunt, or brain MRI/CT if a structural neurological cause is suspected.

A diagnosis of idiopathic epilepsy is made by exclusion — after ruling out all identifiable causes, recurring seizures with no known origin are classified as epilepsy.

Before your appointment, write down: how long the seizure lasted, what your Yorkie was doing beforehand, what they last ate and when, and whether any new medications or flea/tick products were recently applied. This history is invaluable.

Treatment Options

Treatment depends entirely on the underlying cause.

Hypoglycemia: Feed Yorkie puppies small meals every 3–4 hours. For severe or persistent cases, the underlying cause must be identified and treated. Emergency treatment involves rubbing honey or corn syrup on the gums.

Liver shunt: Dietary management (low-protein diet, lactulose) reduces ammonia buildup. Surgical correction — attenuating or closing the abnormal vessel — can be curative when performed at centers with liver shunt expertise.

Epilepsy: Anti-seizure medications (phenobarbital, potassium bromide, or levetiracetam) are effective at reducing frequency and severity. These require regular monitoring and lifelong administration — stopping abruptly can trigger rebound seizures. Many epileptic Yorkies live full, happy lives with consistent management.

Hydrocephalus: A surgically implanted shunt to drain excess cerebrospinal fluid may be possible. Medical management with corticosteroids or diuretics can reduce fluid production and manage symptoms.

Preventing Seizures in Yorkies

Not all seizures can be prevented — genetic conditions like liver shunts and epilepsy aren't caused by anything you did. But these steps reduce risk:

Feed puppies frequently. Small meals every 3–4 hours prevent hypoglycemic drops, especially on active days or during travel. Carry honey packets or a tube of corn syrup as a precaution.

Eliminate toxin access. Xylitol (found in some peanut butters and sugar-free products), certain flea/tick products, chocolate, grapes, raisins, and mushrooms are particularly dangerous for small dogs. At 4–7 lbs, a Yorkie has almost no margin for error.

Log seizure activity. If your Yorkie has a diagnosis, keep a seizure journal noting timing, duration, and potential triggers. Some dogs are sensitive to stress, sleep disruption, or environmental stimuli like fireworks. Identifying patterns helps your vet optimize treatment.

Schedule regular vet checkups. Annual or biannual bile acid testing can catch liver abnormalities early — important given the breed's shunt predisposition.

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This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. If your Yorkie is having or has had a seizure, contact your veterinarian. In an emergency, go directly to the nearest emergency animal clinic.