Open Fontanels in puppies

 Some puppies are sold with what is called, "open fontanel".  The fontanel is the location on the skull where all of the skull plates join. It is a soft spot at the top-center of a puppy’s head. When puppies are born the bony plates of the skull are somewhat soft and separated. As the puppy grows these bones are supposed to become more rigid and gradually fuse together. Usually it takes 4 weeks for the skull plates to fuse and the soft spot (fontanel) to close.

 In some cases the fontanel never closes, leaving a soft spot in the puppy’s skull. The puppy can still live a full and happy life, however one must be very aware of this problem. This area is extremely sensitive and there is a constant concern that the brain will be damaged. The dog itself is unaware that there is a problem and will behave as most puppies do.  So one must be overly cautious of the open fontanel. Any blow can cause severe brain damage, hydrocephalus, and/or death.

Hydrocephalus is a congenital condition that can also result from a brain tumor or a trauma to the head. It is a condition in which an excessive amount of fluid is found in and around the brain. The body is not able to drain from the central nervous system, as it is supposed to, the ventricles then fill with too much fluid causing them to become swollen and increase pressure damage and/or prevent the brain tissues development. This is most common in the toy breeds but can occur in other breeds as well.