Hydrocephalus? Strabismus?
 

We just rescued a 3.5 lb yorkie/chi yesterday from a woman who was selling him for $75.00 on craig's list. This dog was in terrible shape. He smelled like urine and his nails were so long he could not walk. When we took off the t-shirt he had on he was skin and bones; all his ribs and hip bones are showing. He shakes, seems terrified of everyone, but will quickly warm up to you and lick your nose. He is only 18 months old but has never seen a vet after his second series of shots nor has he has any heartworm protection. Our little boy is in bad shape. But we think with good food and lots of love, he will come around.

Our biggest concern is his eyes... they seem to look in different directions. The Vet has not assessed him yet but I just wondered if someone else on here had an opinion... we have never gotten a dog into our rescue that looked like this. We have heard of two different conditions... Hydrocephalus and Strabismus. Does anyone have any information they could share with us? Thanks.

I have not even had time yet to feel the anger towards the previous owner. That will have to wait for another day.

Kit
Florida Yorkie Rescue

Your story has be teared up. Look at that tiny little boy.
People are just sick! Period. Sending prayer's for this little
one to recover and live a happy life, like he was ment to.
Can't help you with your questions but can send prayer's and
a thank you for those like yourself who are there for the
abused ones.

Oh that poor baby! I'm no help, but just wanted to say thank you for saving him. I wonder if a head injury also is a possibility? Please keep us updated. Eye problem notwithstanding he has such an incredibly sweet face.

He is an absolute doll baby! You are a wonderful person for taking him out of that environment! I'm sure that after some loving and a real home which you are providing to him, he'll turn out just great . . .

Best of luck. :)

My heart breaks for that lil guy. God Bless you for rescuing him he needed an angel in his life!

OMG, what a precious little boy! Your story brought tears to my eyes, how could anyone treat this poor baby so badly?!? His eyes do seem to look different directions - could he be blind in one, or perhaps have lazy eye? Sorry, I'm no help with any of your questions. I just feel so bad for him.

That poor baby. Hydrocephalis dogs usually have a domed shaped head also

OMG what is wrong with people?! I am so sorry this little guy has been through so much, but SO glad you are helping him. :D I have a yorkie/chi also so this especially breaks my heart. I'm not sure what the eye problem could be, but wanted to thank you for taking the little guy in and helping him. Poor thing!

Here is a link to a picture of a severely affected Chi that has strabismus as a result of the hydrocephalus. I thought the eyes could be affected by the excess fluid and this picture from petplace.com shows it.

PetPlace.com

There would need to be a shunt put in place to allow the fluid to drain into the abdomen away from the brain. I'm sure your vet will have more information as to whether he is a candidate for this procedure. Will keep him in my prayers.

Also wanted to add that for those with weak stomachs you may not want to look at the photo.

Prayers
 

Keep the prayers coming. He will need them!

The thing that made me the angriest is the previous owner never looked back to hug him and say goodbye... she was too busy counting her cash!

ARGH!

Kit
Florida Yorkie Rescue

That is so sad. Thank God for people like you! Please keep us updated on his progress. He deserves the best for the rest of his life.

Poor little guy. Thanks to people like you.
Good luck with him.

What's his name?

Bless his little heart, he is lucky to have you :) Thank God you rescued him!

Poor little guy. I am so glad that you took him in.

My heart weeps for this little one and all the precious furbabies treated so badly. :cry:

Thank you for what you do and for your gentle heart.

I am in tears. Poor little guy. :( :( :( Please tell me that something can be done to this women for the condition she had this poor baby in?!?!?!?!!?

I am so glad you found him and saved him!

I have extra clothes and a collar, harness and leash if you need it! I know it's not much, and I wish I could help with more, but if you need them, they're yours. I'll send them to you ASAP!

Donations
 

I have extra clothes and a collar, harness and leash if you need it! I know it's not much, and I wish I could help with more, but if you need them, they're yours. I'll send them to you ASAP!

THANK YOU SO MUCH... Yes by all means, we can always use leashes, harnesses, clothing and whatever else you have that you no longer need. If you would like an address to send it to please email me privately at floridayorkierescue@yahoo.com

GOD BLESS YOU!

You know... I never thought of helping this way. What a great idea. I will have to make a point now to go thru all of the things that Zoey has grown out of or that we just never used and donate them to a rescue.

Thank you for such a great idea Adi-and-Missy and for the confirmation Yorkie Rescue!

Baby's diagnosis
 

For those of you who have asked me what this little guy's name is, well he is appropriately called "Baby."

I spoke to the Vet today and I am not sure if I will have all of this technically correct but he does indeed have Strabismus and Hydrocephalus. He also has two significant open fontanels (which basically mean holes or openings in the skull)

The Vet will take some x-rays tomorrow because Baby is not walking properly but he suspects that this is caused by the hydrocephalus. He also has a moderate amount of brain damage, but he is eating well and he is not having seizures which is a good thing.

Dogs that have this type of significant challenges do not live a long life. My Vet said he would do well to live 6 years. He is a year and a half now. I will pick him up tomorrow and make an appointment with a Neurologist. Then it will be a matter of time while he is here to see how he behaves, how he eats and interacts and how social he seems to be. It will take weeks to put some weight on him and asses his personality, but suffice to say this little guy may be a permanent foster child with Florida Yorkie Rescue.

Please continue to pray for Baby. He got a bath and he smells so much better. He is resting comfortably at the Animal Hospital and during the day the staff carries him around so he is not lonely.

Thanks for all who responded. I didn't get many answers, but I got a whole lot of support and prayers and that is worth their weight in gold... I love this place. What a wonderful group of ladies you all are!

God bless. More pictures to come tomorrow.

Kit
Florida Yorkie Rescue


Yorkie Hydrocephalus

Hydrocephalus, a neurological disease common among toy breeds like Yorkies. The disease causes excess fluid within the brain, and is seen in both younger and older dogs. Some fluid in the brain is normal, and in fact protects the brain. But with hydrocephalus, the excess fluid can cause the skull to bulge and lead to brain damage. The condition can be caused by infection, congenital defects, trauma or tumor. Puppies can be born with this condition and tend to look a little shocky in the eyes if you know what you are looking for and is also common with open fontanels on the skull.

Symptoms:
May vary according to the cause, but can include crying, difficulty walking, problems with sight and hearing, abnormal movements of the eyes, tilting or pressing the head, hyperexcitability or dullness, circling, coma and seizures.

Diagnosis:
The veterinarian may want to perform an ultrasound, CT scan, blood work, radiographs and electroencephalogram. Treatment depends on the severity of the disease, but could include either medication or surgery. If the condition is untreated it usually results in death, and some animals may have symptoms too severe to be controlled by medical intervention. Other animals, however, respond well to medication or surgery and can remain stable for many years.

I remembered a thread about hydrocephalus over a year ago, with much information, so I searched to post it here. Poor little guy, wishing you all the best to help him.
http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/gen...uld-aware.html

Hopefully the neurologist will be able to help him.

Just a little fyi: we had a pupster with hyrdocephalus this past year and interestingly enough he received some great applications and ended up in an absolutely wonderful home!

Perhaps this will be the case with Baby.

I will definitely keep him in my prayers. He is so adorable. Poor little guy.

What a little cutie patootie... the nerve some people have. I hope that he gets the care that he deserves.

I can't wait to see more pictures.

I am so sorry about this little precious angel. :(
Thank you for being his life savior

Thank you for helping that sweet Little Guy! You both will be in our prayers, keep us posted~:animal-pa

Thank you for that information. Is Hydrocephalus treatable?

So cute! Wishing you both the best...

Poor little thing... it sounds like whoever had him never cared.
Anyways, i have seen a purebred yorkie with similar eye look and it was Hydrocephallus... i am not sure if i got the spelling right.
The vet pointed out the white on the eyes ... it seems to be the indicative of the condition.
I never saw any other dog with this condition and hope never will.
The poor little thing developed seizures and her owner put her to sleep.
I dont know anything else about any treatments or if it is something that can be managed.
Hopefully this is not what prevented the little guy to put on weight !
Blessings to him and to you !
XOXO

He is such a cute little guy. I am so happy that you have found him and now he's getting the help that he needs.

What a sweet little guy!!!!
People are just sick!!!:mad:
God Bless you for finding and taking Baby in :D
sending Prayers your way :hands::hands::hands: