I wouldn't believe it when I first heard about hydrocephalus in dogs, but the disease exists and can affect the behavior of our beloved pets. According to 75% of hydrocephalic dog owners, their pets behaved erratically when there was environmental change in the home or when their reproductive cycle changed. It is also noted that it is difficult, if not impossible, to accommodate a train.
So what is
Hydrocephalusand how can we tell if our dogs are affected? I spoke to our longtime veterinarian and he explained that hydrocephalus occurs when the brain has too much fluid. It is actually natural to have cerebrospinal fluid around our brain and spinal cord as this fluid is essential for our body's circulation and normal function. But as they say, too much of anything is bad. If the ventricles in the brain are filled with too much fluid, the dog will swell and increase pressure, and the brain will not develop.
Is your dog younger than 18 months? Or is it older than 6 years? These age groups are most susceptible to hydrocephalus. A common misconception is that dogs are born with hydrocephalus, but not. Rather, it is a congenital and anatomical problem in your brain called a "rostral collicle" that can lead to hydrocephalus later in your life. When the rostral collicles join together, the aqueducts become smaller with the liquor. Imagine if the affected dog has skull bones on top of the head that won't close. Hence, it is known as an "open fontanel" or "weak point".
If your dog has the following symptoms, it is better to have them examined. These problems are actually caused by something as large as hydrocephalus and shouldn't be taken lightly.
Common Signs and Symptoms of Hydrocephalus in Dogs
1. Seizures. In a study of Maltese dogs with hydrocephalus, less than 20% had seizures that occurred in the first year.
2. blindness. This is a result of the increased pressure on the brain caused by the excess CSF.
3. Weak and slow hind legs. The affected dogs crossed their limbs while standing.
4th Slowly growth. You can compare the dog to the rest of the litter and find that the size of the affected dog does not match the others.
5. Domed skull and wide eyes. This is a common description for hydrocephalic dogs, but not in all cases.
6th Press head. Does your dog like to bang his head against things? Does he always get stuck? Does he use his head to explore and greet people? Say yes to them and he may have hydrocephalus.
7th Restlessness. Affected dogs exhibit erratic behavior and tend to bite people. They're difficult to train at home, too.
8th. ataxia. They have trouble coordinating their body parts while walking or running.
9. High step. You kick out your front legs when walking.
10. Difficulty eating and drinking. They tend to spit out their food or get picky. If so, make sure they are hydrated and help them eat with small bites.
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