Could There Be Water On Your Dog's Brain?

Could there be water on your dog's brain?This is something that probably sounds strange and that you have never thought about, but it does happen.

When there is water in a dog's brain or on their skull it is known as the neurological condition, hydrocephalus. It is actually when spinal fluid that accumulates. Hydrocephalus can be congenital or acquired at any age.

Hydrocephalus can be caused by various things including the following: genetics, tumors, intracranial inflammatory diseases, prenatal infections, parainfluenza, vitamin A deficiency, and brain hemorrhages in newborn puppies caused by a difficult birth.

Symptoms of this condition include the following: sleepiness or lethargy, easily excited, seizures, blindness, coma, abnormal breathing, going to the bathroom in the house, excessive vocalization, crossed eyes, and swollen or abnormally shaped head. In some cases dogs with hydrocephalus don't actually appear to have any symptoms at all.

If you notice anything in your dog or any symptoms of hydrocephalus you need to take your dog to a veterinarian. Your veterinarian will probably ask about your dog's medical history, their birth, any accidents, all symptoms, etc. So, be prepared for these questions. The veterinarian will also do a physical exam as well as run a lot of different tests using blood and urine. An MRI or CT may also be needed in order to get a proper diagnosis.

If your veterinarian finds that your dog does in fact have hydrocephalus they will need medication and possibly surgery. Your dog will require surgery if it appears to have severe symptoms. They may need to stay at the veterinarians to recovery after surgery. Once you bring your dog home you will probably have to follow special instructions to ensure your pets recovery. Dogs with hydrocephalus will probably require a lot of checkups regardless of if they had surgery or not. The checkups will be to make sure the condition is under control.

The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your veterinarian or other health care professional. You should not use the information on this site for diagnosis or treatment of any health problem or for prescription of any medication or other treatment.