When I saw "Hydrocephalus" in your post, I thought, yes, I know all about it...BUT not in a dog. My (skin) son was diagnosed with hydrocephalus when he was 14 months old. He had to have emergency surgery to place a shunt in his brain to drain the excess CSF. Jeff is now 25 years old, graduated with honors in high school and college where he earned a degree in chemistry and biology. He was recently accepted to two medical schools on the west coast. We're going to have a "doctor in the house" in a few years !
If hydrocephalus is the same in animals, I personally wouldn't think a small pup or any small animal would survive that type of surgery. Over the years, surgeries for placement of brain shunts has evolved to be somewhat of a "simple" procedure, so they say!, but I can't imagine how a shunt valve and tubing could be safely placed in a small dogs brain?
Brain issues run in my family tree. I have had four brain surgeries myself, to date, with more on the horizon. Surgery for my shunt placement was a little over three years ago. Each surgery has been an obstacle for me, taking it's toll on my system as a whole.
Good luck and please keep me posted.....
Vicki |