Hydrocephalus is a condition that not all veterinary professionals, breeders, or pet owners are familiar with, but for Registered Veterinary Nurse (RVN) and AUA trainee Jessica Blyth, it is a focal point of her practice. With over a decade of experience in veterinary nursing, Jessica specialises in neonatal care for animals born with defects or those requiring intensive medical attention. Through her self-employed mobile vet nurse business, she has developed a deep understanding of hydrocephalus—a condition where excess cerebrospinal fluid builds up in the brain—and the vital role ultrasound plays in its early detection.
Hydrocephalus occurs when cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) accumulates in the ventricles of the brain, increasing intracranial pressure and causing brain swelling. This leads to neurological disturbances and, if untreated, can result in seizures, permanent brain damage, blindness, or death. Key signs of hydrocephalus in puppies and kittens include a domed head, abnormal gait, unusual eye positioning (known as “sunset eyes”), and strange behavior, such as circling or falling over.
“Hydrocephalus often goes unnoticed until severe symptoms emerge,” explains Jessica, “and by that time, the brain may already be significantly damaged. Early detection is essential, and ultrasound is a game-changer in this regard.” By enabling earlier diagnosis, ultrasound allows veterinary professionals to begin treatment sooner, potentially saving the animal’s life and preserving its neurological function.
Jessica’s passion for neonatal care drives her to continually improve her ultrasound skills, as she believes that proper training is crucial for the well-being of her patients. “With advanced knowledge of how to use an ultrasound scanner, I’m more confident in my ability to detect hydrocephalus early,” she says. “As a veterinary nurse, being able to perform ultrasound scans and interpret the images lets me collaborate with veterinary surgeons more effectively when making formal diagnoses.”
Jessica’s training in ultrasound has expanded the range of services she offers. Beyond diagnosing hydrocephalus, ultrasound is invaluable during the whelping process, where it helps monitor fetal health and ensures that both mothers and their litters remain safe and healthy.
In addition, she emphasises that ongoing education in ultrasound is vital for her work with breeders. “My expertise allows me to offer mobile pregnancy scanning services, which means I can support breeders from the early stages of pregnancy,” Jessica explains. This involvement helps her advise breeders on the best care practices for their animals, from pregnancy through birth and neonatal care.
Jessica’s commitment to neonatal care goes beyond her own practice; she actively advocates for greater awareness and training across the veterinary field. “There’s a huge knowledge gap in the care of neonatal patients,” Jessica notes. “Standardising ultrasound training for veterinary nurses and vets could make a tremendous difference in treating conditions like hydrocephalus.” To further support this, Jessica offers a range of courses, such as Handrearing Puppies and Kittens, aimed at breeders, rescuers, and veterinary professionals.
In her mobile practice, ultrasound has become a central tool for diagnosing and managing neonatal health issues. She highlights that immediate access to ultrasound, as opposed to relying on costly and time-consuming referrals, can be life-saving. By incorporating this technology into her daily work, Jessica not only improves her diagnostic capabilities but also offers quicker, more affordable care to her clients and their pets.
Jessica explains how ultrasound can be instrumental in diagnosing hydrocephalus in puppies and kittens. “In many cases, animals born with hydrocephalus have an open fontanelle, or soft spot, on their skull. This provides a window of opportunity to use ultrasound to diagnose the condition,” she says. Scanning through the open fontanelle allows the ventricles of the brain to be examined for excess fluid, a telltale sign of hydrocephalus.
“In some cases,” Jessica continues, “most of the brain may appear as fluid, which is a clear indicator of hydrocephalus. In milder cases, we may need to assess the size of the brain’s ventricles to see if they are abnormally enlarged.” By using ultrasound to detect hydrocephalus early, veterinary professionals can start treatments aimed at reducing intracranial pressure, greatly improving the animal’s prognosis.
For Jessica, ultrasound training is a critical step toward improving the standard of neonatal care in veterinary practice. “As a veterinary nurse, I’m always seeking ways to enhance my skills and provide the best possible care for my patients,” she says. “Investing in ultrasound technology allows me to offer specialised neonatal care and give puppies and kittens the best chance for a healthy, happy life.”
Jessica’s journey underscores the importance of advanced diagnostic tools like ultrasound in managing complex conditions such as hydrocephalus. Her dedication to improving care for vulnerable animals and expanding her expertise reflects her commitment to advancing neonatal veterinary care.
Ultimately, Jessica’s use of ultrasound is shaping the future of neonatal care, one scan at a time. Whether diagnosing hydrocephalus or ensuring the health of expectant mothers and their litters, she continues to push the boundaries of what veterinary nurses can achieve in the field.
For more information on Jessica’s services and training opportunities, visit her website.
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