Hydrocephalus, and a dog called Willow.
I had an interesting case this week that I thought I would share. Hydrocephalus is a condition where there is inadequate drainage of cerebrospinal fluid from the ventricles of the brain and this can cause compression of the brain and intracranial neurological signs such as circling, blindness and seizures.
Some dogs can be managed conservatively, however Willow was deteriorating neurologically, was circling and running into things.
Surgical treatment for hydrocephalus, is placement of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. This is where a catheter is inserted into the ventricles of the brain and this is connected via a one-way valve to a catheter that enters the abdominal cavity. This diverts CSF away from the brain, taking away pressure and hopefully neurological signs.
Complications include seizures, infection of the catheter, kinking of the catheter, failure of connections and over or under-shunting.
Willow was a huge VSS team effort. Thank you to specialist surgeon Dr Jason Hoon, Dr Cormac and Dr Jun for assisting me, to Brenda Dixon and Renee Walker for an excellent job on the anaesthesia and to PetICU for keeping her alive in recovery.
During Willow's recovery in Pet ICU she experienced the Cushings reflex - can anyone briefly explain what this reflex is and what it means? (mini practice exam question). She recovered well however, and was discharged home a few days later for close monitoring. I will update everyone on her progress in a few weeks.
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