Brain Diseases of Young Dogs and CATs

Hydrocephalus
Hydrocephalus is the term used to describe a condition of abnormal dilation of the ventricular system within the cranium . Ventricular dilation occurs with some frequency in dogs and cats due to a variety of intracranial disease processes. This can be termed obstructive hydrocephalus, which is either intra- or extra-ventricular. Some breeds predisposed to congenital hydrocephalus include the Chihuahua, Pomeranian, Yorkshire terrier, English Bulldog, Lhasa Apso, Toy poodle, Cairn terrier, Boston terrier, Pug, Pekingese, and Maltese terrier. This can be termed non-obstructive hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus can result in clinical signs due to loss of neurons or neuronal function, and or alterations in intracranial pressure and all of its consequences. Clinical signs
of hydrocephalus reflect the anatomical level of disease involvement but can often
be representative of a diffuse disease presentation Severity of clinical signs is not necessarily dependent upon the degree of ventricular dilation, but rather on a host
of concurrent abnormalities including the underlying disease process, associated intracranial pressure changes, intraventricular haemorrhage, and the acuity of ventricular obstruction. In animals with severe hydrocephalus, the compressed layer of cortex is prone to tearing, either spontaneously or with minor trauma, causing a sudden onset of focal signs of forebrain disease. […]