Question:
We finally, and reluctantly, came to the realization that our beautiful, female longhaired Chihuahua is brain-damaged -- there is a good deal wrong with her.She is totally mute. She does not play, kiss or show curiosity. When she is in her kennel she just stands around. She sleeps almost nonstop. An exam at the University of Minnesota Veterinary School showed no problem with her vocal cords.My husband (an internist) and I (a university psychologist) would be much more accepting of this problem if we were working with a human being. However, we are obviously ill-informed about mental incapacity in animals. Our dog has shown no signs of being hurt. She is, literally, a "vegetable."What should we do? We are active people and want the normal activities of a pet. We are sad and regretful that our conclusion has come to us too late. Perhaps our hopes outwitted our judgment.
L.A., Minneapolis, MN Aug 28, 2005
Answer:
Surely they did more than simply check your little dog's vocal cords at the veterinary college. Wasn't she given a full neurological examination, including at least an X-ray of her skull to rule out the most likely cause of her malaise -- hydrocephalus, or water on the brain?This is not uncommon in Chihuahuas and other toy and miniature breeds. In relatively mild, non-lethal forms of this congenital disease (where there is no soft spot on top of the dog's skull), the dog may get along fairly well but seems dull, both mentally and physically -- just like your expensive, helpless little "vegetable" dog, who is more like a rag doll than a feisty Chihuahua. The best that I can advise is for you to accept that you have a mentally challenged animal who may not be able show affection or experience either significant pleasure or pain, but may still enjoy some quality of life. A full neurological examination, including a CAT scan, may help you decide what is best for this poor dog.
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