What to expect in daily life:
Keep a Journal
Whether going through treatment, newly diagnosed or not yet diagnosed keeping a journal and if possible taking video or pictures of their daily life will help you and your vet/neurologist a lot. It gives them a window into daily life and the severity of the patients illness. It can show deterioration or improvement. It can show symptoms not being displayed while at the clinic.
There will be good days and bad days
Some days you will be amazed by your Hydrocephalus pet and other days they will need extra help, not every day is the same.
Make your home Hydrocephalus friendly
Blindness is not easy for "normal" dogs but even harder for dogs with Hydrocephalus. The circling and problems with balance make finding their way around harder. Keep things out of their reach that can be hazardous, sharp, breakable, electrical, or things they can get stuck in. Things like thorny rose bushes, holes in fencing and even gaps between washers/dryers or furniture can be dangerous.
Don't limit them, but protect them
Let them be free to run, play and enjoy life but always watch them. Never leave a dog with Hydrocephalus left unattended outside of a safe, confined space. Leaving them in the yard or loose in the house when your not home or asleep is not a good idea. Kenneling or containing to a laundry room, etc will keep them safe when your not home.
Interaction with other animals
Monitor this carefully! The animal kingdom is not politically correct, they sense weakness and differences. Many dogs and cats will treat differently, pick on or hurt animals with Hydrocephalus. This goes for their littermates and parents as well.
Also, sometimes a hydrocephalus pets immune system is low and interaction with other animals not in good health is a bad idea. Keep animals with kennel cough, ringworm, and other communicable illnesses/diseases away from your Hydrocephalus pet.
Handle with care and kindness
Don't hit, harshly disciple or yell at them. Trying to train and teach them like a normal dog is a waste of time. House training and learning basic commands will not come easy to them and may never happen. When approaching them, say hello and let them listen to your approach if they are blind. Walking up fast and scooping them up can be scary for them.
Interaction with People
Socializing animals is important - but do so with caution. Pets like people, are not always up for company or meeting people. The best thing to do when you have company is to put them in their safe place (kennel, laundry room, etc) unless your guests understand their differences. Children should not handle them unless mature enough to understand their condition, are gentle and are supervised.
Basic Vet care
Basic vet care like vaccinations, heartworm testing, flea/heartworm meds and microchipping can and should be done just the same as in a normal dog. Shots and anything painful can cause confusion for them and sometimes aggression. Tell your vet and their staff about your pets condition. If they are aggressive/bite when scared, hurt or confused, it may be necessary to muzzle when going in public or while receiving shots, etc.
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