What Is Canine Hydrocephalus and How Is It Cured?

Hydrocephalus can be defined as an accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain. That alone hints at how serious this disorder is — one that, of course, requires veterinary treatment.

Fortunately, hydrocephalus isn't a very common condition, but it can affect smaller breeds in particular. Below we'll look at the symptoms it causes and how it's treated.

What Is Canine Hydrocephalus?

As its name suggests, hydrocephalus is the excessive buildup of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the brain. This fluid bathes the brain and spinal cord.

Hydrocephalus occurs when we find a greater than normal amount in the brain's ventricles. These are cavities inside the brain through which CSF circulates. This condition increases their size, which presses the cerebral cortex against the skull and damages it.

What Causes Hydrocephalus in Dogs?

Most cases of hydrocephalus have a congenital cause, meaning the animals are born with the condition. They'll show symptoms before six months of age. A minority of affected dogs acquire this condition as a result of head trauma, infections, or brain tumors.

Which Dogs Get Hydrocephalus?

Any dog can be affected by this disease, but some breeds carry a higher risk.

• Maltese
• Yorkshire Terrier
• Chihuahua
• Lhasa Apso
• Pomeranian
• Boston Terrier
• Pug
• Pekingese
• Bulldog

These are more prone to congenital hydrocephalus. As we can see, they're small, miniature, or brachycephalic breeds.

In these breeds, brain studies can be carried out through electroencephalography. This makes it possible to breed only healthy specimens, reducing the incidence of the disease over time.

Symptoms of Hydrocephalus in Dogs

It's important to recognize the most common symptoms of hydrocephalus, especially if your dog belongs to one of the higher-risk breeds mentioned above. They include:

• Seizures.
• Partial or total blindness.
• Strabismus (crossed eyes).
• Impaired cognitive abilities, covering all the mental processes involved in perceiving and processing information.
• Odd behavior.
• Depression.
• Walking in circles.
• Head pressing against surfaces.
• Puppies with congenital hydrocephalus show a characteristic enlargement of the skull, although it doesn't necessarily appear right at birth.

Subclinical Hydrocephalus

This type of hydrocephalus occurs when there's an increase in the size of the brain's ventricles but none of the symptoms mentioned above develop.

How Is Hydrocephalus Diagnosed in a Dog?

To confirm a diagnosis of hydrocephalus, the vet may turn to tests such as X-rays, ultrasound, CT scans, or MRI. It's not always possible to have access to all of them. In many cases, a presumptive diagnosis is made — that is, based on clinical signs and the response to treatment.

What Is the Treatment for Canine Hydrocephalus?

The goal of treatment is to control the production of cerebrospinal fluid. To do this, the vet will prescribe corticosteroids and diuretics. In some cases, surgery is essential to drain the excess fluid, although it can carry serious complications.

Intracranial operations must be carried out by specialized veterinarians. These are very delicate procedures. Likewise, post-operative care requires close attention. Dogs typically stay hospitalized for about three days, after which recovery continues at home, following the vet's recommendations.

It's very important to seek help as soon as we notice any of the symptoms mentioned. Starting treatment early, ideally before brain damage occurs, improves the prognosis for hydrocephalus.

Can Hydrocephalus Be Cured?

Hydrocephalus can be treated, which is why it's important to get the dog to the vet quickly, rather than letting the symptoms slide by thinking they have no cure or will resolve on their own.

The prognosis is guarded and will depend on how quickly it's diagnosed, how early treatment begins, and the extent of the damage each affected dog has at the brain level. Dogs that have recovered from hydrocephalus can be left with lasting learning difficulties as a result. Overall, they tend to seem clumsy.

Care for a Dog With Hydrocephalus

Whether the chosen treatment is surgery or medication, it's important to keep the following recommendations in mind. They're based on maintaining the animal's quality of life and protecting its brain as much as possible:

• It's not advisable to give the dog rope or chew toys that could make it shake its head abruptly.
• It's important to prevent symptoms like coughing or vomiting because of the strain they place on the head.
• It's recommended to walk the dog with a harness rather than a collar.
• The dog must be kept well-nourished and hydrated.
• Avoid abrupt changes.
• Of course, veterinary follow-up must be thorough, to adjust medication or address any worsening early on.

Bibliography Carlson and Giffin (2002): Manual práctico de veterinaria canina. Madrid: Editorial el Drac. Morales and Montoliu (2012): Neurología Canina y Felina. Barcelona: Multimédica Ediciones Veterinarias. Platt and Olby (2013): BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Neurology.