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Hydrocephalus - A Disease Affecting the Brain of the Maltese Dog
What is this?
This is a canine neurological disease where there is an excessive buildup of fluid on the dog’s brain. This can happen to a Maltese of any age between 1 ½ years and 6 years old.
The fluid, known as CSF is naturally found in a dog’s brain. It is only when there is this abnormal increase, will this cause such a serious canine health disease.
What are the Symptoms?
• In young Maltese dogs, the soft spot on the top of the puppy’s head may bulge out
• In dogs of any age, the head may appear swollen
• The dog’s eyes may appear to be set incorrectly
• Maltese dogs closer to 6 years and older will usually not show clear symptoms at first, because their skull bones are well formed by this time and will not show swelling
Other symptoms are:
• A strange change in behavior
• Crying or whimpering
• Abnormal eye movements
• Trouble seeing clearly – the dog may walk into walls, etc.
• Trouble walking
• Walking in circles
• Tilting the head often
In the late stages:
• Coma
• Seizures
How is this Diagnosed?
A vet will perform some or all of these tests:
• A neurological evaluation
• Blood work to check for kidney and liver function
• X-rays of the dog’s head
• MRI
• Ultrasound
• Spinal tap -only in rare cases
Treatment
The objective in treatment is to reduce the chances of brain damage or prevent brain damage all together by improving the flow of the brain fluid. Treatment will vary depending on the severity of the dog’s condition:
If a dog has this canine disease and it is not treated, the dog will not last long at all. If treated as stated above, a dog can live at home in a stable condition for quite a long time.
More Information
This is a canine neurological disease where there is an excessive buildup of fluid on the dog’s brain. This can happen to a Maltese of any age between 1 ½ years and 6 years old.
The fluid, known as CSF is naturally found in a dog’s brain. It is only when there is this abnormal increase, will this cause such a serious canine health disease.
What are the Symptoms?
• In young Maltese dogs, the soft spot on the top of the puppy’s head may bulge out
• In dogs of any age, the head may appear swollen
• The dog’s eyes may appear to be set incorrectly
• Maltese dogs closer to 6 years and older will usually not show clear symptoms at first, because their skull bones are well formed by this time and will not show swelling
Other symptoms are:
• A strange change in behavior
• Crying or whimpering
• Abnormal eye movements
• Trouble seeing clearly – the dog may walk into walls, etc.
• Trouble walking
• Walking in circles
• Tilting the head often
In the late stages:
• Coma
• Seizures
How is this Diagnosed?
A vet will perform some or all of these tests:
• A neurological evaluation
• Blood work to check for kidney and liver function
• X-rays of the dog’s head
• MRI
• Ultrasound
• Spinal tap -only in rare cases
Treatment
The objective in treatment is to reduce the chances of brain damage or prevent brain damage all together by improving the flow of the brain fluid. Treatment will vary depending on the severity of the dog’s condition:
- Medication may be given to the dog to help the body absorb the fluid
- Surgery may be done to allow the fluid to drain
- Maltese owners are asked to do all that they can to prevent the dog from falling or jumping down from higher surfaces as this can cause a fast pressure change in the dog’s brain. Dog steps or ramps should be put against furniture that you wish for the dog to be one.
- Veterinarian follow-up checkups are very important to make sure that the dog is healing well
If a dog has this canine disease and it is not treated, the dog will not last long at all. If treated as stated above, a dog can live at home in a stable condition for quite a long time.
More Information
