Seeing a dog wearing a helmet is nothing short of adorable. However, outside of Halloween and Instagram, the dog probably isn't wearing it just to look cute in a costume. Dogs who wear helmets are actually suffering from a very serious condition and wearing a hydrocephalus animal helmet to help manage it. If you have been told by your vet that your precious pet needs a helmet, you probably have a lot of questions and concerns.
What Causes Hydrocephalus in Dogs?
According to The Mayo Clinic, Hydrocephalus is caused by an imbalance between how much cerebrospinal fluid is produced and how much is absorbed into the bloodstream. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is produced by tissues lining the ventricles of the brain. CSF has leaked inside the skull, leading to brain swelling. This is a general definition. There are two main types of hydrocephalus in dogs: congenital (present at birth) and acquired.
Congenital hydrocephalus is a birth defect most often associated with a dome-shaped skull. It is most common in toy breeds, like Chihuahuas, Boston Terriers, English Bulldogs, Toy French Poodles, and Yorkshire Terriers. Clinical signs associated with congenital hydrocephalus include abnormal or spastic walking, changes in behavior, circling or falling over on one side, and failure to learn basic commands, like being housetrained. Acquired hydrocephalus develops when the flow of CSF is blocked or altered by infection, tumor, or swelling. The most common cause of acquired hydrocephalus is a brain tumor.
How Does a Hydrocephalus Animal Helmet Help?
There are a few ways to treat or manage Hydrocephalus, based on the severity, the cause, and your budget. This includes medication, surgery, steroid shots, and wearing a helmet. Bionic Pets specializes in special products for animals in order to help them return to a high quality of life, or perhaps enjoy a happy and healthy life for the first time. One way we do this is by creating custom hydrocephalus animal helmets. Hydrocephalus causes a buildup of fluid that can lead to pressure inside of the head. This causes the bones of the skull to expand and separate, leaving the brain vulnerable to injury, or worse. With our custom-built cranial helmets, dogs with compromised skulls can live their lives freely and to the fullest.