Feline Cerebellar Hypoplasia
An Overview of "Wobbly Kitten Syndrome"
CH kittens often grow at a slower pace and reach a smaller adult size than typical cats. Many CH cats also have sight problems, but it can be difficult to evaluate their sight because of their unusual posture, gait, and head tremors. Adult cats with CH often still have tremors, jerky movements, awkward walks, and frequent falls. They like to lean on walls or furniture when sitting or lying down, and they enjoy toys hanging from doorknobs at a level low enough that they can bat them around while stitched out on their backs or crouched down low. CH cats often need special non-tipping food and water bowls, litter boxes with ramps and high sides (so they can climb in and then lean), and assistance getting up on beds and couches. (My CH cat climbs the couch instead of jumping.) Fortunately, CH symptoms do not worsen with age, and often improve a bit, but CH cats will always show some decreased ability to coordinate movements, thus growing from "wobbly kittens" to "clumsy cats." Some CH cats have broken whiskers from their misadventures, but serious injuries are quite rare. Fortunately, CH cats seem so unbothered by their condition that it is hard to pity them. Most have sunny dispositions, affectionate natures, and tenacious spirits. They can do almost anything an average cat can do, but simply have to do it in a different way. For example, a typical cat might jump onto a bed with ease, but the CH cat will climb the overhanging blanket to get to the same place.
CH cats are independent, and only need minor allowances to live happily in a home. It is best not to let them outdoors unrestrained, since their clumsiness and poor sight can put them in danger, and never declaw your CH cat since it relies on claws so much for climbing (since jumping is usually not an option). Sadly, many CH cats are needlessly destroyed all the time due to widespread lack of knowledge about CH, but any cat with CH can be a loving and healthy pet in the right home.
Published by Whitney Glenn
Whitney Glenn is a writer, graduate student, nonprofit executive director, community leader, and lifelong learner, as well as a single homeschooling mother. She lives in Colorado's San Luis Valley with her... View profile
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8 Comments
Post a CommentHi my name is Melissa and I have a CH kitten she is 9 months old her name is Mini. She is 2 1/2 lbs. My question is when she was younger she walked a little now she doesnt walk at all. She also has epilepsy and is on valium and phenobarbital (sp). She spents most of her time on my bed and has to be very close to me or she seems to panic. I asked the vet about this and she said its a comfort thing for her I make her feel secure. My concern is the regression with walking and standing I try to get her to just stand and she tucks her front legs and does a header. I am holding her so she doesnt get hurt. Could it be the medication? The vet seems to think that is a possibilty. But stopping her meds is not an option she had 11 seizures in one day when we stopped it the last time. She seems happy I guess I am just concerned about her well being as she just lays there.
http://vetmedicine.about.com/library/viewers/uc-cerebellar-cat.htm
My Cerebellar Hypoplasia Cat, Andy
http://www.animalchiropractic.com/The%20Well%20Adjusted%20Andy.htm
Well Adjusted Andy
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4191/is_20061104/ai_n16848091
Cats with shared ailment spark owners' online bond
http://tail-of-two-kitties.gotpetsonline.com/
American and Italian Andy's - Cerebellar Hypoplasia
Not sure why my post has screwed up letters and numbers in it. My email is disneyluva@hotmail.com
My post was cut off. If anyone has any questions feel free to contact me at disneyluva%40hotmail.com. I have trouble with my kitty using the litter box. She can%27t get in or out or she falls over when she%27s in it. Anyone have any suggestions%3F Good Luck with you CH Kitty and give them lots of loving care%21 P.S. - Block your steps off. My little girl almost broker he neck falling off the stairs.
Hi Fellow CH Kitty Lovers, I too have a CH Kitty. She is a little over a year old now. She is probably about 4lbs and is fully grown. She did not have to be spayed because she never went into heat. When she is not sleeping, she's eating. But because she bobs up and down when she eats she doesn't get as much food as you would think. Hence the eating all day. I give her wet food with water in it and that makes it easier for her to eat. She loves her dry treats too though. I found piling her food up makes it a litgtle easier for her. There is no Physical Therapy that will change or help these cats. They don't get any better or worse. My cat does eat laying down occasionally. She needs constant supervision when she is eating because more times than not she falls in her bowl of food or water. Lately, she gave up drinking water because it happens so much. That's why adding the water to the wet food is important to hydrate her. She falls constantly, but picks herself up and try
My heart goes out to you. I have a very wobbly CH cat who has troubling judging the distance to her food bowl. Her face used to go plunk into the food and then she would get too discouraged to eat. There are a few things that have helped her. If she is feeling like making the effort, she finds it easier to eat when I put the bowls on a phone book so it's less distance to measure. Sometimes I just hand feed her chunks while she is sitting. This is easier for her. I have heard that some severe cases learn to eat from a lying down position. Good luck to you, and try the CH Kitty Club site for feedback.
I'll email you!
Hello, I have 9 month old kitten who has CH. His name is Tobie. He wobbles a lot and barely can walk. But the worse of his symptoms is that he can't eat that well. I have to syrenge feed him, also he is 3.3lbs and is 9months old. He hasn't grown since he was 3 months old. The vet isn't sure what to do. I need feed back from anyone! Tobie needs physical therapy and it is very hard to do that with a cat. Thanks and my email is Sespatches@aol.com Sarah