How to treat hydrocephalus in cats? Hydrocephalus in cats is caused by obstruction of the flow of cerebrospinal fluid, reduced absorption or excessive production, and a large amount of cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the ventricles and subarachnoid spaces, resulting in dilation of the ventricles and increased intracerebral pressure. Chronic disease.

1. Cause

Cerebrospinal fluid is a colorless, transparent liquid that fills the ventricles and subarachnoid space. It arises from the choroid plexus of each ventricle. The circulation pathway of cerebrospinal fluid is the cerebrospinal fluid produced by the choroid plexus of the left and right ventricles - through the interventricular foramen → the third ventricle; together with the cerebrospinal fluid produced by the choroid plexus of the third ventricle - through the mesencephalic aqueduct → the fourth ventricle; and then merged into the fourth ventricle Cerebrospinal fluid produced by the choroid plexus of the ventricle - passes through the median and lateral foramen of the fourth ventricle → subarachnoid space → arachnoid granules → superior sagittal sinus → sinus confluence → left and right transverse sinus → left and right sigmoid sinus → internal jugular vein. The main functions of cerebrospinal fluid are to protect the brain and spinal cord from external oscillation damage, regulate intracranial pressure, participate in the metabolism of the brain and spinal cord, and maintain normal pH. Hydrocephalus occurs when the drainage of cerebrospinal fluid is blocked or the absorption disorder causes increased intracranial pressure and dilation of the ventricles.

2. Symptoms

Hydrocephalus is mostly a chronic process, and its clinical symptoms are related to the degree of increased intracranial pressure and the location and degree of brain tissue compression. The main manifestations are disorders of consciousness: depression, lethargy, dumbfounding, dementia, epileptic seizures, etc. Hypoesthesia: reduced skin sensitivity, no response to slight stimulation; hearing impairment, does not cause any reaction to weak sounds, but when there is a strong sound, it often causes high levels of panic and trembling; vision loss; slow postural response, changes in standing Unable to return to normal standing posture after posture. Movement disorders: aimless walking or circular movements, nystagmus, strabismus, muscle stiffness, intermittent spasms, and hindquarters paralysis. Systemic symptoms: loss of appetite, normal or low body temperature, bradycardia, and irregular rhythm. In addition to the above-mentioned symptoms, congenital hydrocephalus also presents symptoms such as a hemispherical skull top, open sutures and open fontanelles.

3. Cases

1-year-old American shorthair cat, weight 1.8kg, male cat. In the past six months, he has developed uncoordinated movements and is prone to falling when walking. The symptoms gradually worsen to the point where he is unable to stand and walk at all. Two days before treatment, the symptoms of epilepsy became more severe, with continuous convulsions for 48 hours. Severe weight loss and severe dehydration were seen at the time of diagnosis. Completely lying down and unable to stand, balance disorder, and loss of proprioceptive reflexes. Severe hydrocephalus and cerebral edema were diagnosed via magnetic resonance imaging.

IV. Diagnosis

We can use magnetic resonance to examine cat brains. Before magnetic resonance was used in clinical animal diagnosis and treatment, the diagnosis and treatment of animal brain diseases was almost in a blank stage. The significance of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations goes far beyond just brain examinations. It is a new high-tech imaging examination method in recent years. It is a new medical imaging diagnosis technology that has been used in human medicine since the 1980s. It has no ionizing radiation (radiation) damage; no bone artifact; can perform multi-directional (transverse, coronal, sagittal section, etc.) and multi-parameter imaging; has a high degree of soft tissue resolution; can display vascular structures without the use of contrast agents and other unique advantages. All in all, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used to scan virtually any part of an animal's body. Secondly, electroencephalogram, ultrasonic examination, and X-ray examination all have reference value for the diagnosis of this disease.

5. Treatment

The treatment of hydrocephalus is divided into non-surgical treatment and surgical treatment. Generally, mild hydrocephalus should first try non-surgical treatment, mainly dehydration therapy and systemic supportive therapy. The drugs used mainly include mannitol, glucocorticoids, etc. Surgical treatment is suitable for cases with high intraventricular pressure or cases where non-surgical treatment has failed. Those with severe hydrocephalus, severe atrophy of the cerebral cortex, and severe functional impairment and deformity will have poor surgical results. The most common surgical method is cerebrospinal fluid shunting. Such as ventriculo-atrial shunt, ventriculo-sagittal sinus shunt, ventriculo-peritoneal shunt, etc. The main surgical method currently used in small animal clinical practice is ventriculo-peritoneal shunt (V-P shunt). The procedure is safe, has few complications, and is widely used. The shunt tube used is a device with a fluid storage bag and a pressure valve. One end of the tube is buried in the ventricle, and the other end is buried in the abdominal cavity through a subcutaneous tunnel. When the cerebral pressure increases, excess cerebrospinal fluid enters the abdominal cavity through the tube. To achieve the effect of reducing cerebral pressure.

For congenital hydrocephalus, long-term use of corticosteroids has poor efficacy. Diuretics can also reduce their production, but long-term use can cause systemic electrolyte imbalance.