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Originally Posted by Rhetts_mama  You are partially correct. An open fontanel is not the cause of hydrocephalus, but hydrocephalus can cause a fontanel to remain open and increase in size. The increased pressure on the brain causes stress on the suture lines that then begin to separate in an attempt to reduce inward pressure on the brain.
Hydrocephalus has a few causes. The most prevalent is an obstruction in the ventricles of the brain that causes the fluid (CSF) to build up. Then there is the non-obstructive type that is caused by either an overproduction of CSF or by a decreased reabsorption of the CSF. Then there are the non-genetic causes- meningitis, encephalitis, Intraventricular hemorrhages, tumors...
An absolute best case scenario is that this open fontanel is just that, an open fontanel. But even that carries some significant risks. The brain in the exposed area is covered only by a very thin dura. That puts them at significant risk of a traumatic brain injury that can occur after a fall or other blow to the head. |
Yet most open fontanelles close over time.
How is hydrocephalus typically diagnosed, if a dog has no symptoms? Is there a blood test, CT scan, or x-ray that would reveal if a dog has it or carries a gene for it?