Has anyone had any or heard of anyone having success with treatment of hydrocephalus in a chihuahua?

My one year old chihuahua has hydrocephalus, and had shown signs even even when we got her at 6 weeks old. It's not a severe case, but it affects her periodically. We have taken her to the vet, who gave her a 3 week course of prednisone (steroid). It did seem to help a little, but not completely. Currently, she has about 8-12 "spells" a month, which are definately neurological in nature (she lays on couch with head hanging off, gets tremors, whimpers, turns in circles when we approach her, can't sleep, definately not her usual sweet and playful self at all). I feel so bad for her, it makes me cry sometimes. The vet says it really shouldn't affect her longevity and as long as the spells aren't causing any permanant brain damage, she should be alright. It's just that it breaks my heart to see her go through what she does, and I would do anything I could (within financial reason) to help her get rid of it altogether. Has anyone ever heard of a successful, permanant treatment for this?

I hope your vet has given you a proper prognosis...it appears surgery is your option. Brain Surgery. But this is in humans (below) I'll be honest, In 10 years I have never seen this. It seems rare in humans too...Please go back and talk with your vet, Ask him the same question. Or even better see a specialist, yes there are doggy neurologists...They will have more appropriet answers. I am so sorry for your puppy. Best Wishes, and hope all is well...Google:Hydrocephalus, which, in Greek, translates as water (hydro) and head (cephalus), is an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within the ventricles (cavities) in the brain. CSF is produced in the ventricles, circulates through the ventricular system and is then absorbed into the bloodstream. CSF protects the brain and spinal cord, contains nutrients and proteins that nourish the brain, and carries away waste. Hydrocephalus occurs when there is an imbalance between the amount of CSF that is produced and the rate at which it is absorbed. As the CSF builds up, it causes the ventricles to enlarge and increases pressure in the head. It occurs in about 2 out of 1,000 births. The incidence of adult-onset hydrocephalus is not known. Hydrocephalus that is congenital (present at birth) is caused by a complex interaction of environmental and genetic factors, such as spina bifida. Acquired hydrocephalus may be caused by intraventricular hemorrhage, meningitis, head trauma, tumors or cysts. The most effective and common treatment for hydrocephalus is surgical insertion of a shunt, although an endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) is also an increasingly common treatment. A shunt is a flexible tube that diverts the flow of CSF from the ventricular system into another region of the body, such as the peritoneal (abdominal) cavity, where it can be absorbed. The surgical placement of a shunt is a relatively short and uncomplicated procedure. Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) surgery involves making a hole in the floor of the third ventricle to allow CSF fluid to flow into the basal cisterns where it can be absorbed without putting increased pressure on the brain.

Uh...you GOT a dog that you KNEW was defective?? BADLY defective?? OK...WHY? That's a MAJOR neurological congenital defect & the pup should have been put down as soon as it was diagnosed!!! I don't understand why anybody would force an animal to suffer through so much pain.Yeah,PAIN!!! Do you realize what's happening?? A build-up of fluid PRESSURE IN THE SKULL!! Can you imagine?? You are NOT helping this poor animal...you're HURTING it for your own twisted reasons.

I have not had a chihuahua but had a jack russell puppy born with hydrocephalus and fairly severe case. He was touch and go from the beginning and survived against all odds. He has neurological deficits as well but his adoptive mom just adores him! He did go thru the seizures and periods of odd behavior but is now 2.5 years old and the episodes have leveled off considerably. It seems as he matured, his symptoms got a little better and he is on meds to help control things too. They can live a long healthy life but there are so many things to watch for and brain damage during seizures is the main thing and subsequent swelling of the brain can cause permanent neurological disorders that can get progressively worse over time. Your pup has beat her first hurdle...she survived being hydrocephalic! Good luck and love your puppy! She's very special