Open Fontanel Written by: Cindy Fern-King   Some puppies are born with what is called an "open fontanel.” The fontanel is the location on the top of the skull where all of the skull plates join. It is equivalent to the soft spot at the top center...

Hydrocephalus Written by: Cindy Fern-King The condition known as hydrocephalus, also known as water on the brain, is most common in toy dogs and brachycephalic breeds. In Maltese, hydrocephalus is more likely to be seen in puppies with very round...

Cleft Palates Written by: Vicki Fierheller Umbilical Hernias An umbilical hernia is a protrusion of abdominal contents through the umbilicus (the umbilicus is the same as our belly button) due to incomplete closing of the umbilical ring after...

Cleft Palates Written by: Vicki Fierheller A c​left palate is an ​opening or fissure along the roof of the mouth that results when the tissues separating these two cavities do not fuse together properly during embryonic development, usually around...