ASK DR CLAIRE

What testing would confirm an 8 week old boxer has Hydrocephalus?

Hydrocephalus isn’t always a straight forward diagnosis.

In a young puppy, imaging of the brain and skull is needed to indicate hydrocephalus.

• Radiographs – show the bone (i.e. a dome shape) but they can’t evaluate the brain.
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) & CT (computed tomography) can evaluate the brain.
• Specialist ultrasound of the skull could help confirm suspected hydrocephalus.

It’s important to know that whilst an MRI, CT or specialist ultrasound might show changes in the brain that indicate hydrocephalus, the pup may actually be clinically normal and never even develop signs.

So to diagnose hydrocephalus we need to consider both the clinical signs of the pup, in addition to what the brain looks like with imaging.

Ideally, seeing a specialist veterinary neurologist is best.

If you’d like to chat in person, you can get a vet on a live video call or start a chat to discuss in more detail now.

We’re here to help!

Chat soon,

Dr Claire