There is a girl in FL (Paula) that has a little one with hydrocephalus.
She has Paulas Pet Photography, I can't remember her email addy.
But maybe someone here knows who she is and has it.
If not I can find it and send it to you, it would be great if you could speak with her about how she has cared for him.
Our prayers and hugs for you and your precious little beautiful girl.
Deana and Leo

Best wishes to you and Lily. She is precious.

Lily is precious..... Please don't give up. My first yorkie, Laciebug had a very rare typeof hydrocephalus which is usually only diagnosised during a necropsy. The wonderful veternarians at the University Vet School didn't think she would live to use the 2 weeks worth of meds they sent her home with. She lived and love and gave herself to us for FIVE glorious years.

I would be glad to call you -- send me a pm.

http://www.paulaspetphotography.com/...20-%20Dogs.htm

this is her site. You can see his pic he is the little one with the tongue sticking out in the lil maroon chair

Deana and Leo

Back from UT
 

Thanks so much for everyone's kind words and prayers. You guys are making me cry! I just got back from UT with Lily and she is resting comfortably although she does have periods where she won't stop crying so I am trying to control her pain as best as possible without giving her so much that she vomits.

Her hydrocephalus is worse than we thought and further tests revealed that she is blind in her right eye. She may regain her vision in that eye or may become completely blind in both eyes, they just don't know. Her prognosis is "guarded" and when I asked what that meant, all they would tell me is that it is not good. I'm starting to come to terms with this and I've decided just to be thankful for every day that I get to spend with my beautiful little girl. I just pray that she remains a happy little girl and doesn't become completely blind.

They told me that I can only give her the L/D for now but so far she refuses to eat so I may have to give her some sugar water to keep her glucose level up (no nutrical become of the protein). They also gave me lactulose syrup and milk thistle.

Thanks again guys for everything. Especially those who told me their stories, it gives me some hope :)

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone who sent such thoughtful PMs and update you on Lily. She finally ate! I baked the L/D in the oven and she loved it. She ate three times today and seemed excited about it. After she eats I have been giving her the lactulose in cottage cheese because she does not like the yogurt. I'm a little concerned about the cottage cheese because whenever she eats it (only about a teaspoon full) her back two legs come way off the floor until she is doing a hand stand and she almost flips head over heels (I actually have to watch her and push down on her backside to prevent her from flipping over). I'm not sure if this is another neurological symptom or just a silly quirk but she only does it with the cottage cheese. I've also given her a few cheerios as a snack which she does okay with. I was really nervous about managing the MVD but I think that I can do this after all.

Here is a pic I took of her tonight resting. She looks a little worse for wear as I have been too afraid to give her a bath just yet. I have decided to keep taping her ears. I was going to stop but it felt like I was just saying "What's the point of taping her ears when she won't be with me much longer" I'm not accepting defeat and have decided to treat her like she's going to be here another 10 year (and she really doesn't care about her ears being taped or I would have rethought my decision).

Lily you sweet little thing, be strong, be brave keep eating like a big girl. Lots of hugs to you and yours, and plenty of prayers to boot!!!

My thoughts are with you and Lily...I am with you..treat her like you will have her forever and keep your head up...every minute is precious for ALL of us and we should all live life to the fullest...even the tiniest of creatures!!

Dawn

I'm so sorry about little Lily! She is simply adorable!
My Lexxi has hydro. She was diagnosed at 1 year old, via MRI. She is 3.5 years now. Her condition was diagnosed as "severe" at that time. She is also blind from the pressure on her optic nerve. She has seizures, which is the scariest thing to witness. She also cannot have a shunt due to the severity of her hydro. Her neurologist sent her records out of state to 2 specialists who denied her the surgery.
So....with that said, she is still with us and on medication 3 times a day for the seizures (keppra and this was changed from the phenabarbital). and prednisone for the hydro every other day. Has your baby had seizures yet? Lexxi is a sweet girl but she is not living a normal doggie life. She has her own "condo" that she lives in so she does not get hurt and the other dogs leave her alone. It is big enough for her bed, peepad and food and water. She circles non stop, as one of the symptoms of hydro. She has gotten extremely difficult to groom or hold or anything - but we still feel she deserves to live and to be taken care of...
I don't know anything about MVD though?
I have a link here to a wonderful website and these people will work with you and give you info and support and other alternatives. Even though they are not DVM's, they work with at least one who will help with alternatives as well.
Let me know if you have any questions I can help with about sweet Lily. Send me a pm if you'd like and we can email or talk on the phone.
http://www.canine-epilepsy-guardian-...rocephalus.HTM

Im so sorry, Keeping her in my prayers.

Lily looks so good in that picture :) I'm glad you're taking that approach that she's going to be with you a long time! Make sure the cottage cheese is low or nonfat. Good luck and keep us posted!!