2/11/2012 - We need help to raise awareness

2/11/12 - With the confimation of Cletus' open lipped schizencephaly (also called split brain), it is time to raise awareness of this disorder in the veterinary community to help other pets who must be suffering from the same affliction. 

I have spent many hours doing research into this disorder to help my TeeTee and have learned a great deal about the condition. Cletus was first diagnosed with epilepsy as most likely many animals are being that the symptoms of schizencephaly can be confused with epilepsy. When the symptoms such as seizures, confusion, disorientation, and anxiety increased even with the medications, I believed that Cletus had a brain tumor or brain cancer and brought him into the emergency room.

The doctors still believed it was only epilepsy and possibly an inner ear infection but decided to watch him overnight. During that night, Cletus began to show signs of neurological trauma such as stargazing (staring up at nothing), having a head tilt to the left, miss-stepping to the left while walking, and it was also noticed that he crossed his paws while laying down. All of these signs made the doctors believe that an ultrasound, x-ray, MRI, and spinal tap should be performed. 

The MRI showed an extensive amount of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in and on his brain and Cletus was re-diagnosed with congenital hydrocephalus. Upon further review of the MRI, it was determined that Cletus had open lipped schizencephaly, the first known reported case in a canine, and the recent cat scan confirmed this diagnosis.

We are very lucky to have the medical staff that we do who recognized Cletus' condition. Cletus can't be the only one with this condition but most vets have not even heard of this disorder and would not know how to treat it. 

Please help us help Cletus and help us raise awareness of schizencephaly in the veterinary community to save other animals. Donate to Find A Cure For Cletus through the tab on the right or contact your local media to contact me.

According to the Humane Society of the United States, there are 78.2 million dogs in the U.S. (http://www.humanesociety.org/). According to rightdiagnosis.com, schizencephaly affects 1 in 2719 people or 0.04% of the population (http://www.rightdiagnosis.com/lists/preval.htm). If we assume the same statistic in dogs, it equates to between 28,760 and 31,280 dogs out there with schizencephaly in the U.S. alone.

Please help me to get the word out about Cletus and schizencephaly.

Thank you for your support,

Doug