Sometimes a yorkie puppy will arrive with no sign of life. If you feel a pulse beat under the forearm, start the puppy breathing by blowing steadily into his mouth – this way the lungs can be sufficiently expanded to supply necessary oxygen.

Then suck and expel your breath. Inhale, and repeat. Slap the newborn yorkie pup vigorously, and then swing it slowly back and forth ten times. Wait a second or two for a gasp. If there isn’t one, swing again.

There are times in whelping when a veterinarian’s assistance is needed. After a couple of hours straining, no evidence of a puppy’s imminent arrival means you should call a vet.

If the yorkie mother makes frequent attempts to urinate or labors with hear head thrown back and mouth open, call a vet. Hypoglycemia, the rapid fall in the blood sugar level, may cause superficially hysterical reactions and can be fatal.

Appropriate veterinary advice should be sought immediately.

If there are several dry births and the placentas are retained, infection may follow that requires professional help. In fact, many veterinarians recommend checkup rights after whelping to make sure all the newly born puppies are out.

If the discharge from the mother after birth becomes bright red, flows abundantly, or lasts more than two weeks – contact a veterinarian at once.

After eating a number of placentas, female dogs often have digestive upsets. In the wild, this afterbirth would serve as her only food for two or three days after she gives birth because she wouldn’t leave the family: it also acts as a laxative.

But with our modern dogs that are so well-fed and cared for, there is no need for this extra food. Therefore, if it is a large litter, remove the placentas if you are present. If the yorkie mother gets hold of them and eats them as she usually does, give her some castor oil to clean her out.

With some pregnant dogs, you have to make definite arrangements with your veterinarian before delivery takes place. If your pregnant yorkie has some kind of pelvic injury, a caesarean birth is needed.

Yorkshire terriers are so small they often need this kind of birthing procedure. Many veterinarians would rather operate early than have a difficult, dangerous forceps delivery. So if possible, all pregnant dogs should be taken to a veterinarian for medical advice.