Hydrocephalus (Water on the Brain) in Dogs
Introduction
Hydrocephalus in Dogs Guide: Find veterinary reviewed information that explains Hydrocephalus in dogs. Get started and see what choices you and your vet can make to successfully manage Hydrocephalus in Dogs.
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Definition - Hydrocephalus (“Water On The Brain”)
Hydrocephalus is a condition characterized by an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) inside of the skull. The cerebrospinal fluid collects within a system of small cavities and chambers in the brain known as “ventricles.” The flow of CSF through these chambers is called the “cerebral ventricular system.” When fluid pools inside the ventricles, it causes them to dilate (expand) disproportionately in relation to the amount of brain tissue that surrounds them. This causes increasing intracranial pressure, which can compromise blood flow within the brain by physically squeezing or pressing on the cerebral blood vessels. Hydrocephalus is often referred to as “water on the brain.” It can involve the entire central ventricular system, which is symmetrical hydrocephalus, or it can be confined to certain areas, which is asymmetrical hydrocephalus.
Canine hydrocephalus is almost always congenital, which means that the condition is present at birth. Accordingly, it is most commonly diagnosed in puppies. Hydrocephalus occasionally occurs in adult animals, but that is uncommon in domestic dogs. Several different classification schemes are used to characterize hydrocephalus in veterinary medicine. One distinguishes between two general types of the disorder: communicating hydrocephalus and non-communicating hydrocephalus. Communicating hydrocephalus is where the animal’s brain is not able to absorb a
Dogs with hydrocephalus usually show symptoms of degenerative neurological disorders, which are referred to as “encephalopathies”. It is difficult to speculate as to how “water on the brain” actually makes an affected dog feel. However, we can extrapolate from what owners observe – and from what people with hydrocephalus report - that it is an uncomfortable, frightening, often painful and potentially life-threatening condition, especially when pressure inside the skull increases to dangerous levels.Owners of dogs
Hydrocephalus itself is not especially difficult to diagnose, although it may require referral by the general practitioner to a specialized referral clinic or veterinary teaching hospital that has the appropriate diagnostic instruments. The dog’s presenting signs usually prompt a thorough neurological examination, after a history is taken from the owner and a routine physical examination is performed. Most veterinarians will take urine and blood samples as part of the initial data base. However, if hydrocephalus
Theoretically, the goals of treating a dog with hydrocephalus are to decrease the amount of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) being produced, increase the amount of CSF being absorbed and/or shunt excess CSF to some other bodily cavity. The overriding practical goal is to relieve the build-up of pressure on nerves (neurons), blood vessels and other affected brain tissues. Unfortunately, given the current state of medical knowledge, it is difficult if not impossible to artificially increase the