Hydrocephalus

[Findlay]

Hi, we have a small daschund / jack Russell cross called Fred. He is 16 months old. He had a big head when we saw him as a puppy but we did not realise the implications until we took him to the vets and realised he also had an open to fontanelle. He has been very hard to house train. He has an odd walk caused by his neurological issues and some small focal seizures. He is a lovely dog but he is challenged intellectually. We decided early on that we would love him as long as he is with us but will not let him suffer. Does anyone have experience of hydrocephalus?
Many thanks

 

[JoanneF]

I'm sorry, I know very little about this but didn't want to read and run. I have access to a veterinary manual and it is also fairly light on the content. It does suggest treatment with corticosteroids or surgery for hydrocephalus but my (very limited) understanding of the brain is that damaged cells don't regenerate so I am unsure if these are likely to have any success if damage from the pressure has already occurred. But I am sure your vet will have already considered these.

He is very lucky to have you looking out for him.

 

[JudyN]

my (very limited) understanding of the brain is that damaged cells don't regenerate

It used to be thought that brain cells couldn't regenerate, but it's now been discovered that you can grow new brain cells (see, e.g., Endogenous regeneration - Wikipedia ). However, whether that's relevant in Fred's case I really don't know.

Well done for sticking with him and giving him the best life possible.

 

[Josie]

I’m afraid I don’t have any experience with this either but Fred is very lucky to have you giving him a chance and looking after him