poss hydrocephalus

Re: poss hydrocephalus

a.bardell — Tue, 27 Aug 2013 15:59:34 GMT

Thanks for all your help and suggestions

Turns out that young daughter saw dog walk into a patio door but didn't say anything to anyone.

After a good sleep pup was much quieter and easier to handle, the next morning had a proper look and had small corneal ulcer on left eye and slightly swollen bridge of the nose. no more head pressing or strange behaviour so looks like I was panicking for nothing. I guess I should just learn to trust my instincts a bit more!

Re: poss hydrocephalus

bob lehner — Mon, 26 Aug 2013 09:56:20 GMT

Possibly consider Atlanto-Axial subluxation due to partial or complete absence of the odontoid process ?

Congenital problem in this breed. Lateral x-ray - but handle with care and don't flex the neck.... !!

Re: poss hydrocephalus

Shelley Wiltshire — Mon, 26 Aug 2013 07:27:58 GMT

You could stick the ultrasound probe on the head and have a look through the fontanelle for signs of hydrocephalus?

Re: poss hydrocephalus

Linda Filshie — Sun, 25 Aug 2013 23:12:43 GMT

Just having a quick google (as you do on a Sunday evening!) - the hyperglycaemia you noted could be linked to brain trauma. https://wikis.uit.tufts.edu/confluence/display/TCSVMIntensiveCareUnit/Hyperglycemia+in+head+trauma.+Syring+et+al.+JAVMA+2001

Anyway, trauma would definitely be at the top of my differential list, especially given the bradycardia you noted. Some more careful questioning of the owners might be in order...

Re: poss hydrocephalus

Utlendigur — Sun, 25 Aug 2013 23:08:03 GMT

I thought SM was more a disease of older dogs (hence the problems with it - by the time they show symptoms they've already been bred from numerous times..). If it happens on handling, could it just be pain related? May be worth some analgesia to see if that settles it down. Hope the weekend starts to quieten down.

Re: poss hydrocephalus

Linda Filshie — Sun, 25 Aug 2013 22:53:18 GMT

Syringomyelia and chiari-like malformation. Though I wouldn't have thought this sounded typical (I'm no neurologist though!). Any chance of trauma? ( I know what the owners have told you, but it wouldn't be the first time a dog has been dropped /stood on and owners are unwilling to admit it...)

Re: poss hydrocephalus

a.bardell — Sun, 25 Aug 2013 22:42:59 GMT

sorry to show my ignorance again but what is SM and CM?

Re: poss hydrocephalus

Christina Smith — Sun, 25 Aug 2013 21:08:00 GMT

SM/CM? I believe a large percentage of chihuahuas are scanning positive for CM