Can dogs really get microcephaly, and is it a common problem?

No, that is not true at all. Central nervous tissue like brain and spinal cord cannot grow more after birth, even though plasticity and regeneration of nerves is possible. Plasticity means the formation of new connections between neurons. Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

This may be normal for the puppy, or could indicate that it has hydrocephalus, which is common in Chihuahuas. I would recommend that you have Lil Boy checked out by a vet, who may be able to tell you if his head is normal or not, as well as check for other congenital abnormalities. Here is some more information on hydrocephalus: http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=2324

Oh my goodness, he is the cutest boy! I can see why you say he's the best boy. It could be that he does have microphthalmia, that one eye is much smaller than the other. The condition itself isn't painful, but it can lead to things such as glaucoma, which is painful. Cataracts can also be another complication of this genetic condition. I would recommend having him seen by a vet yearly to make sure there aren't any complications developing such as cataracts or glaucoma, but that shouldn't stop you from adopting him. He would be very lucky to have you! I hope this helps!

I'm glad to help you! No, not from head injuries. For reasons still unknown, almost half of all gliomas occur in brachycephalic or "squash-nosed" breeds such as Boston terriers, bulldogs and boxers, so there may be a genetic component that has not been discovered yet. I hope this helps!

Hi, thanks for using Petciach. I'm having a hard time understanding your question. I think you are saying that you have a 9 week old Chihuahua puppy that has a aoft spot in the top of it's head? It could be an open fontanel and hydrocephalus. Here is an article about it. Please let us know if that is not what you were asking https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/hydrocephalus-in-toy-breed-puppies

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. It certainly is possible that head trauma lead to the hearing loss and stunted growth or it is coincidental. If there was enough trauma to the part of the pituitary gland that is responsible for releasing growth hormone (GH), hypopituitarism could develop. Unfortunately, this is impossible to tell for certain though.

No. That is not something recognized or diagnosed in dogs. Many breeds are hyperactive in of themselves as that is what they are bred for. Most dog breeds are bred for a purpose (to work, herd, hunt, etc) and when we take them home and expect them to be a house pet that makes it seem like they are too hyperactive or cannot pay attention. Every dog should have a job and something to do to occupy their minds and give them stimulation. I am not sure 100% why you are asking this question so if you want to be more specific and post again maybe we can be more in depth for you. Hope this helps.