Skyler’s owners noticed that she was different to other puppies and that she was showing ‘weird’ signs of something not being quite right. They were determined to figure out what was wrong with her so Skyler was referred to Cave Veterinary Specialists for assessment.
Cave carried out many tests on Skyler including MRI and CT scans. Once all the tests were back, Skyler was diagnosed with Dandy-Walker (like) Malformation.
Skyler should be able to live a fairly normal life.
However, there are some facts that her owner’s were made aware of…
- Skyler will never be able to catch a ball. It is impossible due to her not having any coordination skills.
- Skyler will continue to bump into everything, including people!
- Skyler faces many challenges in life but she is still the troublemaker and the liveliest of the family – this won’t change!!
What is Dandy-Walker (like) Malformation?
Dandy-Walker Malformation in dogs is an extremely rare condition that affects the cerebellum, which is part of the brain that is responsible for coordination. The most common cause of this condition is congenital (genetic), with specific breeds, such as Airedales, Chow Chows, Boston Terriers and Bull Terriers being predisposed to it. However, although less common, it can also result from in-utero infections such as, canine distemper or parvovirus; exposure to toxins or nutritional deficiencies during fetal development.
Key Features of Dandy-Walker Malformation in dogs:
Cerebellar Vermis Hypoplasia / Agenesis: The cerebellar vermis (the structure connecting the two hemispheres of the cerebellum), is either partially or completely absent.
Fourth Ventricle Dilation: the fourth ventricle (a fluid filled space in the cerebellum) becomes dilated or cystic.
Posterior Fossa Enlargement: the posterior fossa (the space at the back of the skull where the cerebellum sits) is often enlarged.
Upward Displacement: the remaining cerebellar tissue and tentorium cerebelli (a membrane that separates the cerebellum from the the cerebrum) may be displaced upwards.
Symptoms include:
- Ataxia – this is the most common symptom, characterised by a lack of coordination and an unsteady gait.
- Tremors – involuntary shaking or trembling.
- Head Tilt and Circling – abnormal head position and movement.
- Vestibular Signs – problems with balance and spatial orientation.
- Hypermetria – exaggerated limb movements.
- Seizures – in some cases, affected dogs may experience epileptic seizures.
