When Rush, a slightly obese Weimaraner pup, first bounded into his family’s home in November, no one could have predicted the medical predicament ahead.
Rush lived true to his namesake – he loved to race through dog parks and his neighbourhood – with his owner Kee Long hot on his heels. So it shocked his family the day he suddenly struggled to stand on his four paws in January.
“It was terrifying,” recalls his family, watching their typically energetic companion transform overnight. “One moment, he was playing with the kids, and the next, he couldn’t even walk straight.” The family’s regular veterinarian at Vets for Life immediately recognized the gravity of the situation and made an immediate referral to Beecroft Animal Specialist & Emergency Hospital.
Dr Matthias le Chevoir, Beecroft’s board-certified neurology and neurosurgery specialist, attended Rush.
Dr Matthias’ diagnosis was a shock to Kee Long: congenital hydrocephalus, a rare condition where cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) accumulates in the brain, and which is particularly unusual in large breed dogs like Weimaraners. Initially, steroids offered a glimmer of hope. After a week of hospitalization, Rush returned to his old self – the food-loving, slightly overenthusiastic pup who had captured his family’s hearts.
But the relief was short-lived. Rush’s legs began to tremble three months later, and a new
symptom arose – his eyes started twitching uncontrollably. “We knew we had to decide,” Kee Long shared. “When Dr Matthias recommended surgery, I did not hesitate – Rush is family.”
“At this stage, we had exhausted all the medical options to control the excess fluid production in Rush’s brain,” explained Dr Matthias. “The placement of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt was the logical measure to take even though it is a complicated procedure with some possible complications.”
MRI views of Rush’s brain (left) when his condition was diagnosed. The asterisk shows the dilation to his brain’s cerebrospinal fluid network (the ventricles). An MRI of a normal brain is provided to compare (right).
On June 25, 2024, Rush underwent a complex ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement, a procedure to divert CSF from the brain’s ventricular system through a tube tunnelled through the subcutaneous tissues to the abdomen, where CSF is then reabsorbed. The surgery marked a turning point in Rush’s journey, though recovery brought its own challenges.
Postoperative CT-scan of Rush’s head showing the ventricular catheter implanted through the skull in the middle of the ventricle.
While the shunt placement was successful, a slight tremor remained in his legs. Rush will require a period of regular monitoring to check for potential complications, such as signs of over-shunting or shunt malfunctions.
Today, life at home is much the same for Rush. He has reclaimed much of his irrepressible spirit and meets with his pals at the dog runs in his neighbourhood every weekend.
For Kee Long and his family, there is a new appreciation for Rush’s every waking moment. “We’ve learned to celebrate the small victories,” they share. “Even his occasional nipping during playtime – something that used to concern us – now just reminds us of how far he’s come.”
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