what is hydrasiphlis on a puppy?

Question

my 8 wk old pup still has her soft spoy on the top of her head still. she is very small and she is a yorkie.and her head is still real soft her sis and brothers aare fine.

Answer 1

Hydrocephalus is a neurological disease in which there is excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within the ventricular system of the brain.

The most common cause of hydrocephalus in young animals is congenital defect. Toy breeds have the highest incidence.

Diagnostic tests are needed to identify hydrocephalus and differentiate it from other diseases that may cause similar signs.



The goal of treatment is to minimize or prevent brain damage by improving CSF flow. Treatment depends on the severity of the clinical signs and may include one or more of the following:

# Medical treatment consisting of drugs that either decrease the production of CSF or increase CSF absorption

# Surgical treatment of hydrocephalus to include direct removal of the obstruction or shunting of CSF to an area outside of the brain. Surgical removal of the obstruction may be indicated with tumors or malformations.

# Shunt surgery, which is the surgical placement of a tube into the dilated ventricles. This tube is then tunneled under the skin to an area outside of the brain such as the right atrium of the heart or to the abdominal cavity.

# Prevention of trauma such as falling or rapid changes in pressure

# Antibiotic therapy to treat signs of infection when surgery is performed

# Removal or revision of shunts

# Follow-up examinations throughout the animal's life to evaluate any progressive brain damage and to adjust treatments.

Untreated hydrocephalus has a poor prognosis and usually results in death. Although the efficacy of therapy cannot be assessed without attempting treatment, the severity of clinical signs correlate with the success of treatment. Animals with intractable symptoms are poor candidates for medical or surgical treatment.

Some animals with congenital hydrocephalus have an immediate response to medical or surgical treatment and can be stable over a long period of time.

Call your veterinarian promptly if your pet shows symptoms of hydrocephalus. Contact an emergency clinic or your veterinarian if emergency symptoms occur including lethargy, fever, increased somnolence, stiff/painful neck, seizures or deteriorating level of consciousness.

Protect the head of your pet from injury by handling him carefully and preventing falls. Promptly treating infections associated with hydrocephalus may reduce the risk of developing the disorder.

Answer 2

Hydrocephalus is what is commonly known as "water on the brain" and is a build up of cerebral fluid in the brain. It generally causes and abnormally large head and can cause the skull to fail to close causing the "soft spot". It can cause blindness, trouble waking, seizures and the dog the be mentally slow. It can be treated with prednisone or a shunt can be put in the brain to allow the fluid to drain but otherwise the puppy probably won't live more than a year or so.

Unfortuantly Yorkies are one of the breeds that are prone to this. It is congenital which means you should let your breeder know so her parents can be removed from the breeding program because they can pass it on to future puppies.

Answer 3

Goldengal is right about the vet care. It is called an "open fontanel". It is not uncommon in toy breeds, but it is not desireable. Hydrocephalus would cause the area around the open fontanel to bulge out. It's well past time for the pups to ahve their well-puppy check ups, so ask your vet for more info.

Answer 4

Hydrocephalus is a build up of fluid on the brain.It's quite common in toy and brachycephalic ( pug-nosed) breeds.It can cause seizures and other problems.The outlook is poor at best,unless you have access to a veterinary neurologist,and it's still a serious condition.I'm sorry about your puppy.Here are a few links for you.
http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&cat=1828&articleid=448
http://www.michvet.com/library/neurology_hydrocephalus.asp
http://www.marvistavet.com/html/hydrocephalus.html

Answer 5

Sometimes on small breeds it doesn't close until they are over 6 months, sometimes it doesn't close at all. It is called a molera. Dogs who have passed this on to their pups should not be bred, your dog should not be bred as this is inherited and will be in your dogs genetic pool.
Have the vet look it over and check her for neurological probs. watch her sugar/food intake (make sure she is eating food or receiving nutrical) every three hours...they drop very quickly...

Answer 6

Hydrocephaly is when the brain doesn't form correctly because fluid has built up putting too much pressure in the skull.

What you describe could be hydrocephaly, or it could be something else.
You need a vet to tell you what's happening, and what to do.

Answer 7

It is failure of the skull to close properly. I'd have your vet check this pup out very carefully. Usually there can be some problems associated with this.