Congenital hydrocephalus in elderly dog

Abstract

In the fetal nervous system training period faults can occur, leading to problems after birth, as the persistence of the fontanelle, which is due to no calcification of the cranial sutures. Hydrocephalus is a type of genetic defect caused by inadequate circulation of the cerebrospinal fluid that to build up promotes increased volume and consequent dilation of cerebral ventricles. It can be congenital or acquired, and the most predisposed breeds of dogs are those small. Among the most common clinical signs of hydrocephalus are deformities in the skull, the eye socket, or increased pressure in the midbrain integument, depression, apathy, delirium, blindness, ataxia, dementia, aggression, irritation, training of difficulty and learning to walk in circles and convulsions. The animal's history must be performed properly, followed by clinical and neurological examination, and may require the request for laboratory and imaging tests to make the diagnosis of hydrocephalus. brain imaging as ultrasound, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging have been providing currently better support as diagnostic tools. Among the therapeutic agents used in classical include: corticosteroids, diuretics and osmotic agents which will act reducing cerebral edema, and consequently the intracranial pressure. Patients who have seizures need to receive specific therapy. Depending on the case, treatment with medication is effective, however, for better control of symptoms, sometimes indicates the ventriculoperitoneal bypass surgery. We report a case of a canine Poodle, 11 years old, female, who after suffering head trauma and performed CT examination, was diagnosed with congenital hydrocephalus and persistent fontanelle in front and bilaterally region, between the parietal and temporal bones. The patient was treated with classical therapy using corticosteroids (dexamethasone and prednisone), and diuretics (furosemide and mannitol), obtaining successful recovery.