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Originally Posted by camillek What is molera? |
THAT'S what I wondered too!
This is the definition which I found on "Google". There are other links but I didn't have time to check them. Thought it was interesting ... but never heard of it in reference to a Yorkie.
Definition from Google search:
molera
A molera is a "hole" in a Chihuahua's head; it is the same as a fontanelle in human babies. Historically, the Chihuahua as developed in Mexico and the United States has displayed a "hole in the head". In times past, this has been accepted as a mark of purity for this dog breed, and it is still mentioned in most Chihuahua breed standards the world over. The bones of the head in all foetuses are not firmly knitted together, but in most mammals, the different bones of the skull join with cartilaginous sutures as the animal matures. The Chihuahuas' moleras vary in size and shape, occurring on the top of the head where the parietal and frontal bones come together.
The simple fact that a Chihuahua has a domed head with an open molera does not predispose it to hydrocephalus as found by a study done by Greene and Braund in 1989, which concluded that "Many clinically normal toy breeds and brachycephalic (short faced) breeds also may have open fontanelles without associated hydrocephalus." Also, "There did not appear to be any relationship between the presence or size of the fontanelle and the concomitant presence of hydrocephalus." When the dog seems normal but displays enlarged ventricles of the brain (under ultrasound), its hydrocephalus is termed "occult" (having no clinical signs).
debi_s .. perhaps your baby is just young and the hole hasn't knitted together yet ... don't know what age they are supposed to. I have forgotten lots that I learned about Toto when she was that age!
However, your vet should be able to answer that question. I find it curious that a breeder doesn't have a "trusted vet" of her own? That would have made me uncomfortable. Good luck with your new baby ... please post pics and tell us all about her! We, like you, just wanted a pet so we didn't care really what color or size Toto ultimately turned out to be ... we would love her is she turned purple and weighed 50 lbs. ... just so long as she is healthy!!!
