Breeding is often a joyful and rewarding experience. There’s nothing quite like watching new life enter the world and thrive. But sometimes, it can be deeply challenging and even heartbreaking. At Ashford Manor, we’ve seen the full spectrum—the good, the bad, and everything in between. What remains constant is our commitment to each puppy in our care. We do everything in our power to give them the best chance at a full and happy life.
This is the story of Leia—one of our most courageous little fighters.
Leia was born on June 6, 2025, to one of our newer moms, Kix. She has two brothers, and all three puppies were vibrant and full of promise from the start. But almost immediately, we noticed something different about Leia: her head appeared abnormally large. Despite this, she was eating and moving around just like her siblings. Still, we kept a close eye on her and took her to the vet within the first few days to ensure there were no underlying issues. At that time, there were no other symptoms, so our vet advised us to continue monitoring her development closely.
At three weeks old, Leia was playful, alert, and engaged. She was discovering her paws, exploring with her senses, and even wrestling with her brothers. Although her head remained enlarged, it didn’t seem to interfere with her quality of life. Around this time, we began introducing potty training mats, and Leia impressed us by quickly grasping the concept with minimal accidents.
During a routine vet visit that week, our veterinarian expressed concern that Leia might have hydrocephalus, a condition characterized by excess fluid in the brain. However, since she showed no neurological symptoms other than her head size, the recommendation was to continue observation—she might simply grow into her features.
Unfortunately, by the end of week four, we began to see changes. Leia was having difficulty with her vision. We returned to the vet immediately, and this time the diagnosis was confirmed: Leia did, in fact, have hydrocephalus. The severity of her condition was explained to us, along with the potential outcomes. With heavy hearts—but unwavering determination—we decided to fight for Leia’s life. Under our vet’s guidance, she began a course of medication to reduce the pressure and fluid buildup in her brain.
Week five was emotionally difficult. Leia became lethargic. She lost some of her sight, her hearing, and her ability to move normally. Her decline was rapid, and we could see she was in discomfort—crying at times, like someone enduring a constant migraine. We took turns caring for her around the clock. Along with her medications, Leia was given a special nutritional formula to keep her hydrated and help her continue gaining weight.
And yet, even in her pain, Leia found comfort in the arms of her caregiver. A deep bond formed between them. She had a preferred way to be held—when cradled just so, she would instantly relax. This became a powerful tool for easing her distress. Her siblings, too, played a surprising role in her care. They gently snuggled with her, never roughhousing, and even helped her find water when she was thirsty. Their intuition and tenderness were beautiful to witness.
As the days passed, we remained cautiously hopeful. The medications appeared to be helping. Leia stopped crying and instead began to make more typical puppy whines. Slowly, she began to regain some of what she had lost. Her vision and hearing started to return—her caregiver was overjoyed the first time she turned her head toward a sound. Soon, Leia was back to playing in her own way—biting her mom’s tail, attempting playful pounces on her brothers, and showing a bit of feisty personality when she didn’t like something.
We’re thrilled to share that Leia is improving each day. She no longer shows signs of being in pain. Though she still gets disoriented at times—losing her balance or walking in small circles—her progress is undeniable. She continues her medications and special diet and remains under our constant watch.
Leia will be heading back to the vet soon for a follow-up, and we’ll be sure to keep you updated on her journey. No matter what the future holds, we’re proud of the fight she’s shown and honored to be part of her story.
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