Co-written by Jessica Blyth, images by Jessica Blyth

Hydrocephalus is a condition that many veterinary professionals, breeders, and pet owners may not be immediately familiar with, but for Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) and AUA trainee Jessica Blyth, it has become a key focus of her work. Jessica has been a veterinary nurse for over 10 years, specialising in neonatal care, particularly for animals born with defects or those requiring intensive nursing. Through her career and her self-employed mobile vet nurse business, she has gained a unique insight into hydrocephalus, a condition characterised by an excess of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain, and the essential role ultrasound plays in its early detection.

Understanding Hydrocephalus in Neonates

Hydrocephalus is a condition where cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) builds up within the ventricles of the brain, causing increased intracranial pressure and resulting in brain swelling, neurological disturbances, and potentially severe damage. Without early intervention, this condition can lead to pain, seizures, permanent brain damage, blindness, and even death in puppies and kittens. Hydrocephalus can present with a number of signs, including a domed head, abnormal walking or gait, eyes that point downward or sideways (also known as “sunset eyes”), and abnormal behaviour such as circling or falling over.

“Hydrocephalus often goes unnoticed until severe symptoms present,” explains Jessica, “and by then, the brain has already sustained significant damage. The key is early detection, and this is where ultrasound becomes a game-changer.”

Typically, diagnosing hydrocephalus would require an MRI or CT scan. However, these diagnostic methods are costly and come with risks, particularly for neonates. Most puppies and kittens are too young or fragile to safely undergo general anaesthesia, which is required for these scans. Fortunately, ultrasound provides a non-invasive, less risky alternative that allows for the early detection of hydrocephalus before it leads to severe complications.

The Role of Ultrasound in Diagnosing Hydrocephalus

Jessica shares her insights into how ultrasound can be applied to assist in the diagnosis of hydrocephalus. “In many cases, puppies or kittens born with hydrocephalus have an open fontanelle, or soft spot, on their skull. This provides a literal window of opportunity to use ultrasound as a diagnostic tool. By scanning through the open fontanelle, we can visualise the excess fluid in the brain, which would be difficult or impossible to detect through other means.”

Through ultrasound, the ventricles of the brain can be closely examined, making it possible to see if they are filled with fluid or have become enlarged, which are indicators of hydrocephalus. In some cases, as Jessica describes, “most of the brain will appear as fluid, which is a clear sign of hydrocephalus, while in more mild cases, you may need to examine the ventricles more closely.”

Using ultrasound not only enables earlier detection but also allows veterinary professionals to begin treatment promptly, before the condition progresses. Treatment typically focuses on reducing the intracranial pressure, potentially saving the animal’s life and preserving their neurological function.

The Importance of Ultrasound Training

Jessica’s passion for neonatal care has driven her to enhance her technical skills in ultrasound, as she believes that proper training can have a huge impact on patient outcomes. “With deeper knowledge on how to use an ultrasound scanner, I feel more confident in my abilities to detect hydrocephalus early,” she shares. “As a veterinary nurse, being able to perform ultrasound scans and assess the images allows me to identify potential issues and collaborate with veterinary surgeons for formal diagnoses.”

Her training in ultrasound has not only benefited her neonatal patients but also expanded the services she can offer in her business. “Ultrasound is not just useful for diagnosing hydrocephalus,” Jessica explains. “It can also be used during the whelping process to monitor foetal distress, ensuring that mothers and their litters are healthy throughout the birthing process.”

She adds that her continued education in ultrasound scanning is vital for her work with breeders, as it provides her with the expertise to offer mobile pregnancy scanning services. This allows her to be more involved with breeders from the early stages of pregnancy, offering guidance on how to care for both the mother and the puppies throughout the process.

Advancing Neonatal Care Through Early Detection

Jessica’s commitment to advancing neonatal care extends beyond her own practice, as she advocates for greater awareness and training in this area among veterinary professionals. “There is a huge gap in the knowledge and care of neonatal patients,” she notes. “I believe that standardising ultrasound training for veterinary nurses and vets could make a significant difference in the treatment and prognosis of conditions like hydrocephalus.” In fact, Jessie offers a range of courses including Handrearing Puppies and Kittens, suitable for breeder and owners, rescuers and veterinary professionals. If you have any questions about Jessie’s work or the services she provides, please visit her website.

In her mobile practice, Jessica has made ultrasound a core part of her approach to caring for neonates. She emphasises that having immediate access to ultrasound, rather than relying on expensive and time-consuming referrals, can be life-saving for puppies and kittens born with conditions like hydrocephalus. By incorporating this technology into her daily work, Jessica is not only improving her own diagnostic capabilities but also providing quicker, more affordable care for her clients and their pets.

The Future of Neonatal Care

For Jessica, ultrasound training represents an important step toward improving neonatal care in veterinary practice. “As a veterinary nurse, I’m always looking for ways to expand my skill set and provide better care for my patients,” she says. “By investing in ultrasound training and technology, I can offer specialised care to neonates and give them the best chance at a healthy, happy life.”

Her story highlights the critical role that advanced diagnostic tools like ultrasound can play in identifying and managing complex conditions like hydrocephalus. As Jessica continues to pursue her passion for neonatal nursing, her dedication to improving care for vulnerable animals remains at the heart of her work.