What is Cerebellar Hypoplasia?
Cerebellar hypoplasia is a non-life threatening condition that occurs when the cerebellum does not fully develop in kittens while in utero. The cerebellum is the portion of the cat’s brain responsible for fine motor skills and can affect the cat’s ability to walk, jump, run, or accomplish other tasks involving coordination and spatial recognition. Cerebellar hypoplasia is generally not a well-known condition and can therefore be mistaken for other diseases by veterinarians who have not previously encountered the condition.
Symptoms of Cerebellar Hypoplasia in Cats
Symptoms of cerebellar hypoplasia will vary in severity depending on the level of underdevelopment. In some cats, effects will be minor and only occur when the cat is excited or under stress. In others, the symptoms will be always present and may affect the normal daily routine. Symptoms of cerebellar hypoplasia will appear at birth and may include:
- Stumbling or wobbly gait often referred to as a “drunken sailor” walk
- Inability to jump to high surfaces
- Tremors in head or neck
- Trembling of legs
- Inability to stand
Symptoms do not worsen or progress over time, but may diminish as a cat learns to compensate.
Causes of Cerebellar Hypoplasia in Cats
Cerebellar hypoplasia is typically caused by some type of trauma or infection that occurred in utero, or while the mother cat was pregnant with the affected kitten. Common in utero conditions that may cause cerebellar hypoplasia are:
- Mother contracting feline panleukopenia virus while pregnant
- Mother contracting parvovirus while pregnant
- Malnutrition of mother while pregnant
- Other trauma to kittens while in the womb
Diagnosis of Cerebellar Hypoplasia in Cats
Diagnosis of cerebellar hypoplasia will begin with your veterinarian ruling out conditions that may present with similar neurological symptoms. Epilepsy and some infectious diseases may mimic the weakness presented by Cerebellar Hypoplasia. Your vet may order a full blood panel to rule out these diseases.
A thorough medical history and a history of the progression and first appearance of symptoms will be important in helping your vet diagnose Cerebellar Hypoplasia in your cat. One of the distinguishing features of Cerebellar Hypoplasia is that the symptoms appear immediately at birth and do not worsen or progress over time. It may be difficult to notice symptoms in very young kittens since all cats this age tend to be uncoordinated as they learn to walk, jump and explore. Noting the specific symptoms of your cat will help your veterinarian determine the severity of the condition. It will also be important to provide any available history on your cat’s mother and her condition in utero, especially if it is know that she contracted feline panleukopenia virus while pregnant.
The definitive diagnostic tool for cerebellar hypoplasia will be a CT or MRI scan of your cat’s brain, although a veterinarian very familiar with the condition may be able to diagnose without this test. In order to undergo these procedures, your cat will need to be sedated or anesthetized so that they remain still and quiet while detailed images are taken. This procedure is painless and noninvasive, although all sedation and anesthesia has some inherent risk.
Treatment of Cerebellar Hypoplasia in Cats
There is currently no known treatment to cure your cat of cerebellar hypoplasia. Many cats will learn to adapt to their loss of fine motor skills over time. In some cases, physical therapy may help teach your cat alternate skills that may increase mobility and quality of life.
Recovery of Cerebellar Hypoplasia in Cats
Cats with cerebellar hypoplasia have a good prognosis for quality and length of life. Since the condition is not progressive or fatal, symptoms will not worsen over time or affect the overall lifespan of your cat. Cats with cerebellar hypoplasia will live the same length of time as non-affected cats and have no other behavioral abnormalities or health issues as a result of the condition.
Owners of cats with cerebellar hypoplasia may wish to modify living conditions in order to accommodate their cat’s level of activity and loss of motor skills. Sides on litter boxes can be raised to allow for additional support while using the restroom. Owners have also had good success with installing ramps to areas of the home that include stairs and with teaching affected cats to meow or signal when they want to be picked up or transported to the bed, couch or area of the house they may not be able to access, given their mobility. Cats with this condition should not be allowed outdoors.
While many shelters choose to euthanize cats that suffer from cerebellar hypoplasia, it is important to note that the disease is not a death sentence and affected cats can make excellent and loving companions for those willing to provide an appropriate level of physical support.
Cerebellar Hypoplasia Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Has Symptoms
I have a 1 year old female with mild to moderate cerebellar hypoplasia and was wondering if there is any link between feline CH and either an inability to gain weight or develop muscle mass. When she first came to us she had worms (This was around 1 to 3 months) but was too young for any sort of deworming medication. Nowadays she is extremely picky about the environment she eats in and what she eats...and although we've made some much needed adjustments I still don't see any significant improvements when it comes to her weight gain. We have lots of animals so I wanted to get a confirmation before I take her to the vet for testing. Even when she eats it seems like she can only manage to consume small portions. It's seems to have gotten worse as she's aged. When she was a kitten she would eat a lot and seemingly not gain any weight. Now she is eating very little and while she isn't losing weight I don't think she is at a healthy weight for her size or age. I am aware that the causes could be mental and do have to note that she has some signs of OCD and anxiety.
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Hello, good day.
I'm Dimitri contacting you from Athena, Hellas - Greece.
Without any intention to become bothering, i'd like you to read the following and also ask somethings, please:
I own a CH Cat, her name (Female) is Cerebellum. If we get the chance i'll send you pictures in the upcoming emails; cerebellum was born by a stray Cat around my neighbor who's well and fine doin' and around 3 and a half, years old now nearly. Had several births, 2 prior cerebellum, all kittens fine. gave births again and the fifth will be soon i estimate. cerebellum was the only one to survive out of total 5 kittens 1 year ago.. As said above, i do not have intention to bother but if possible, i'll look forward to further communication. The CAT is Severe level by veterinarian perspective and judgment. However, after all this full year and despite she's frankly speaking an ultimate add-on weight, please help stray out some things.
Should i start with giving a prescription to her?
She has sometimes epelepsia symptoms as well. She has superior level of understanding and communicating however, she naturally needs something to little bit boost her up. Is there anything that can be done?
thank you for your attention.
Siokas Dimitri
[email protected]
skype: dimiri_elser
cell: +306944181359
Thank you
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We found 2 kittens outside in the snow about 2 weeks ago( They are very small kittens. I think they are about 2 weeks old. When they walk around they walk funny any often flop to the side and are shaky. Sometimes their bottoms look like it will flip over their head and they dont use their back legs properly. My roomate thinks that maybe they are just young and will outgrow it...I think it is Cerebellar Hypolasia. How can we know for sure without it costing an arm and a leg? We are on a fixed income. Thank you for your help!
Mariana Negron
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I would like to ask if it is possible for a cat to develop cerebellar hypoplasia later on in life. My cat has suddenly began being unable to walk regularly and sometimes falls over when trying to stand. I would like to know what may be the cause of this and if this may just be some kind of physical injury. He does not seem to have any apparent injury.
Thank you so much.
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Good Afternoon,
I have a 3-yr old female cat with a mild case of cerebellar hypoplasia. She is fully functional, but has been peeing outside of the litter box under stress. I rescued her and her "normal" brother when they were 6 months old. I have since added another male who turned out to be extremely aggressive towards her and has attacked her & made her scream (no injuries) so I keep them separated. Now her brother tries to be domineering by bullying her a little bit. My question is would she be better off as a solo cat in a household where she gets undivided attention and doesn't always have to be on guard or is it detrimental to separate her from her brother? I did a trial run for only a couple of days at a woman's very quiet home and she seemed well adjusted and very content and in peace with undivided love but I don't know the mind of a cat). I know that the woman absolutely fell in love with her. Also, would her brother adjust ok without her? She is totally stressed in my home because of the aggressive male. I just want to do right by everyone. I'm having a really hard time with this since I love her so much as I do all of my cats, but there is too much tension right now. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thank you kindly!
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