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Carters Mom · 10-03-2005, 07:30 PM

For those questioning an open fontenalle, I found this online at http://www.gotoasheville.com/Article...rticles_4.html

5. Open fontanelle. Some puppies, especially breeds with very high, "domed" foreheads (like chihuahuas, pekingese, lhasa apsos, and yorkies), have an incomplete closure of the bones in their skull. This area, called an open fontanelle, is a soft spot in the center of the puppy's forehead. Some fontanelles close with time, or become smaller. Most cause no problems, but sometimes a large fontanelle indicates that the puppy is prone to developing hydrocephalus.

http://www.upei.ca/~cidd/Diseases/ne...rocephalus.htm
What does hydrocephalus mean to your dog & you?

Puppies with severe hydrocephalus often die at a very early age due to pressure from the increased fluid in the brain. In other less severely affected pups, the signs gradually become apparent over the first few months of life, and in some mild cases the condition is only diagnosed later in life.

The types of signs seen with this condition include unthriftiness (smaller than littermates, slow to grow), a domed skull (which gradually becomes more pronounced), abnormal movement behaviours (restlessness, aimless walking), problems with vision, and seizures. These pups are very slow to learn - it may be extremely difficult to housetrain them for example.

Generally the signs gradually worsen, although by 2 years of age they may stabilize. To minimize brain damage, the condition must be recognized and appropriate treatment begun early. However, affected animals will likely always be slow and have a limited ability to learn.

Purchasing a pup, for any cost, I would not want to purposely increase my chances of having to deal with the death of my pet due to hydrocephalus. Do you choose to live next to an asbestos plant knowing it causes cancer?

10-03-2005, 07:30 PM	#156
Carters Mom YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: LA Posts: 1,568	For those questioning an open fontenalle, I found this online at http://www.gotoasheville.com/Article...rticles_4.html 5. Open fontanelle. Some puppies, especially breeds with very high, "domed" foreheads (like chihuahuas, pekingese, lhasa apsos, and yorkies), have an incomplete closure of the bones in their skull. This area, called an open fontanelle, is a soft spot in the center of the puppy's forehead. Some fontanelles close with time, or become smaller. Most cause no problems, but sometimes a large fontanelle indicates that the puppy is prone to developing hydrocephalus. http://www.upei.ca/~cidd/Diseases/ne...rocephalus.htm What does hydrocephalus mean to your dog & you? Puppies with severe hydrocephalus often die at a very early age due to pressure from the increased fluid in the brain. In other less severely affected pups, the signs gradually become apparent over the first few months of life, and in some mild cases the condition is only diagnosed later in life. The types of signs seen with this condition include unthriftiness (smaller than littermates, slow to grow), a domed skull (which gradually becomes more pronounced), abnormal movement behaviours (restlessness, aimless walking), problems with vision, and seizures. These pups are very slow to learn - it may be extremely difficult to housetrain them for example. Generally the signs gradually worsen, although by 2 years of age they may stabilize. To minimize brain damage, the condition must be recognized and appropriate treatment begun early. However, affected animals will likely always be slow and have a limited ability to learn. Purchasing a pup, for any cost, I would not want to purposely increase my chances of having to deal with the death of my pet due to hydrocephalus. Do you choose to live next to an asbestos plant knowing it causes cancer? __________________ Lisa Proud Marine Mom Carter, Cooper & Crissy's Mom and Sebastian's Nana Never underestimate the warmth of a cold nose!