Hydrocephalus is a condition where there is a buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in a dog’s brain. The fluid builds up, placing pressure on the brain which can lead to brain damage and even death. Often a congenital disease, meaning a dog is born with hydrocephalus.
The condition most commonly occurring in small or tiny dog breeds. A brain hemorrhage during a difficult birth is one possible reason why a dog may be born with hydrocephalus. Although the symptoms may be noticeable in young dogs, they aren’t actually born with it. Hydrocephalus dogs are born with another condition that causes the fluid buildup that becomes hydrocephalus.
A dog may acquire hydrocephalus or “water on the brain” later in life due to a Vitamin D deficiency, intracranial inflammatory disease, swelling in the brain, a brain tumor, or from the parainfluenza virus.