Congenital Hydrocephalus At Puppy

Congenital hydrocephalus is an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid within the ventricular system of the brain.  The pathophysiology of central nervous system damage associated with hydrocephalus is complex and involves destruction of the ependymal lining of the ventricles, white matter damage by interstitial fluid accumulation and eventual neuronal injury in the cerebral cortex. Advanced diagnostic methods are radiology, ultrasound, CT, MRI, EEG.Treatment of hydrocephalus are medical and surgical methods. At medical management, prednisolone (0,2-0,5 mg/kg PO q12hr), furosemide (0,5-4 mg/kg PO q12-24hr), acetazolamide (10 mg/kg PO q6-8hr) and omeprazole (10 mg q24hr dogs less than 20 kg) are used.  The goal of surgical treatment of hydrocephalus is to continually divert excessive CFS from the ventricles to peritoneal cavity.   

A thirty day old male dog was presented to Animal Hospital with abnormal appearance of cranium, reluctanced to move and amorosis. At clinical examination, he had normal vital parameters. He included a large, dome-shaped head, open fontanelles and bilateral ventrolateral strabismus.


 Diagnosis of congenital hydrocephalus was based on radiography and ultrasonography. Radiography suggested hydrocephalus in puppy skull bone thinnes, persistent fontanelle, open cranial sutures and liquid opacty on internal side of the skull.









 Ultrasound of brain was performed through a persistent dorsal midline fontanelle. Enlarged ventricules appeared anechoic region. Congenital hydrocephalus was diagnosed with clinic, radiologic and ultrasound findings.