Neurological

Hydrocephalus

Urgent

Also known as: hydrocephalus; water on the brain

URGENT. See a veterinarian within hours, not days.

Overview

Cerebrospinal fluid accumulates within the brain and raises the pressure inside the skull. It is most often congenital and is seen predominantly in the toy and brachycephalic breeds — Chihuahua, Pomeranian, Maltese, Yorkshire Terrier, Pug, Boston Terrier, English Bulldog — where a domed head is sometimes wrongly admired as a breed characteristic rather than recognised as a warning. Severity ranges from a dog that lives a near-normal life to one with severe neurological impairment. Diagnosis is by imaging. Management may be medical (a medication class that reduces fluid production, chosen by the vet) or surgical (a shunt). It is a reason to look carefully at the head shape of any toy-breed puppy before buying it, and a reason not to breed from affected animals.

What you would notice

  • A domed, unusually round skull in a puppy; an open soft spot on the top of the head
  • Eyes that appear to point down and out
  • Slow learning; hard to house-train; seems 'not quite right'
  • Circling, pressing the head against walls, staring vacantly
  • Seizures
Non-prescriptive. This entry deliberately does NOT name specific drugs, doses, routes, or durations. Treatment decisions rest with a licensed veterinarian who has examined your dog and considered its history.
Draft — vet review pending. This entry has not yet been signed off by a registered veterinarian.

Predisposed breeds

Chihuahua — a Toy (AKC) breed

Chihuahua

Mexico

Sources

  • Merck Veterinary Manual (merckvetmanual.com)
  • MSD Veterinary Manual (msdvetmanual.com)
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