“Maybe she’s blind” was one of my first thoughts. Stella, ever-so-curious, may see you and immediately flop over as if to seemingly invite you to scratch her belly. She was quite young, so I assigned her lack of strength and coordination to her age. (And I’m using the term “kitten” quite loosely as as she’ll be two years old in December.). All Rights Reserved. Cerebellar Hypoplasia: Wobbly Kitten Syndrome. This is an incurable illness caused an underdeveloped cerebellum, the part of … It’s inspiring to watch her grow up. The great news for these kittens is that they don’t know they are different, which means they still give it their all to learn how to walk on their own. Phew, what a name…. Kitten Or Cat With Mild CH. Though we do not know exactly what has caused Iota’s CH, it is normally caused by bacterial infections and … It wasn’t until she was about 16 weeks old that I noticed that something wasn’t quite right. When she flies around the corner she uses the soft couch to bounce off and make the turn. Cerebellar Hypoplasia is also not contagious. This disease usually occurs in young animals up to two years old; however, it can affect animals of any age. So I started doing some research and testing her – showing her something interesting and seeing how she reacts. Surprised by her sudden change in demeanour, you may feel like you did something to upset her and that is why she retracted her belly-scratch invitation. Judy Steiger fosters kittens from the Best Friends Kitten Nursery in Salt Lake City on a regular basis, so when she welcomed a nursing mom named Keiska and her four babies (French Fry, Pickle, Big Mac and Lettuce) into her home, she had a pretty good idea of what to expect. She loves the rustling sound of foil and will seek out any paper that glistens in the light.). “Usually the cases are mild, but the litter Judy fostered was probably the most severe case in our experience.”. These sweet kitties must persevere to learn how to walk and play like other cats. I spoke with several owners of wobbly kittens recently. Wobbly syndrome (WS), also known as degenerative myelopathy or progressive paralysis is a neurodegenerative disease and has been described in this species. After about four months, the kittens and their mom were ready to be adopted. Ataxia (pronounced a-tak-sia) is defined as a loss of muscle coordination (incoordination/unsteady gait) which is caused by disorders which affect your cat’s sense of motion, and it is a symptom of an underlying condition and not a disease in itself. I also learned about the type of medication that she can and cannot take. The cat with this disease clearly has balance issues: he … But he learned quickly how to get around. One was drowning in a puddle. “If they were at a shelter that wasn’t no-kill, they might not have gotten a chance to grow up strong and healthy,” says Judy. “He was the calmest of the bunch,” says Natasha of Lettuce, whose new name is Westley, after the character in The Princess Bride. Stella, ever-so-curious, may see you and immediately flop over as if to seemingly invite you to scratch her belly. Well, fret not, my friend. That changes today. Like I said, I panicked. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This is a place to share about my life, to care about our earth and to dare to do what I’ve only dreamed of. This includes when their cardiovascular or gastrointestinal systems are negatively impacted by some form of disorder which could include things like anaemia and severe diarrhoea. This condition affects the cerebellum that makes up a large portion of the brain. Also consider purchasing a litter box hood, which can help keep a good deal of litter (and any mess) in the pan. It can be passed on Cats cannot develop cerebellar hypoplasia later in life. One man is on a mission to bring more awareness to these special animals – many of whom are overlooked in shelters because of their condition. Last Updated on January 9, 2021 by Julia Wilson. Olive the kitten has cerebella hypoplasia, a neurological disorder also known as Wobbly Kitten Syndrome. After spending just a couple of weeks with Keiska and her kittens, it was clear that she had a very special family to look after. Get ready to finally, We're bursting with excitement to share this news, "There hardship in everything except eating pancak, My favourite love songs in a playlist just for you, Cerebellar Hypoplasia is a neurological disorder, We swopped out our high couch for a lower couch in the. Helping a family of wobbly kittens land on solid ground, Chocolate Lab is doting foster mom to tiny kittens, Foster family welcomes six puppies to the world, Injured roadrunner gets back on his feet at Best Friends, ‘Hamilton’ parody purrspective from a cat, How to care for orphaned kittens: Feeding and weaning motherless kittens, Ten things you can do to show your pets you love them, Adventure cat discovers the world on hiking trails, Best Friends Kitten Nursery in Salt Lake City. © 2020 Best Friends Animal Society. Home arrow_forwardBe Inspired • Your Rescue Storiesarrow_forwardHave you heard of Wobbly Kitten syndrome? She is just three months old and has a condition called Cerebellar Hypoplasia (CH). Ataxia (Wobbly Gait/Loss of Balance) in Cats. She can climb and play with her siblings. Various other diseases produce clinical signs similar to wobbler syndrome. I did more research and joined a couple of support groups on Facebook. Best Friends, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, operates the nation’s largest sanctuary for homeless animals; provides adoption, spay/neuter, and educational programs. “They think they’re just like other cats. The kittens would need extra attention, but that wasn’t going to stop her from fostering them. February 7, 2017 Chris Roy Be Inspired, Your Rescue Stories No comments. You have got, Looking at tomorrow like... Kittens … I reckoned eyesight problems would explain her trouble eating. At first, Westley was very cautious as he tried to get the lay of the land in his new home. Walking into my home, you’re bound to be greeted by at least two of my four cats. Stella is my wobbly kitten. All so I could learn how best to care for her. When I rescued Stella and her twin sister, Luna, I didn’t realise at first glance that Stella was a special girl. Wobbly hedgehog syndrome (WHS) is a leading cause of neurologic disease in African pygmy hedgehogs (APHs; Atelerix albiventris). Wobbly Hedgehog Syndrome (WHS) has been recognized since the mid-1990s and is reported to affect approximately 10% of pet African hedgehogs in North America. It is congenital, so it only affects cats that are born with it—it cannot be contracted or developed later in life. I’m so happy I found this out,  because the medication used when cats are spayed is not preferred for CH kittens. My Stella truly is a special cat, not just because she is differently abled, but because she has the heart of lioness. I live with my friend now and I keep them in my room. Mr Brat built her a step so she can climb onto our bed. Three-month-old kittens Izzy and Twitch have cerebellar hypoplasia, sometimes referred to as wobbly cat syndrome. “He’s very happy,” says Natasha. She had a funny look in her eyes, and she seemed to have a hard time walking, running and climbing. I’ve spent most of my life forgetting yesterday, dreaming about tomorrow and missing the moments in between. There are many reasons that a cat might walk like they are drunk, but it could be Cerebellar Hypoplasia, or what is more commonly known as Wobbly Cat Syndrome. An immediate panic gripped my heart. Have you heard of Wobbly Kitten syndrome? The cerebellum is the portion of the brain that controls fine motor skills, balance, and coordination. However, in some cases kittens can develop gait abnormalities for other reasons. An MRI is the best way to diagnose ‘wobbly cat’ syndrome, as it allows an image of the brain to be created. We will reach no-kill in this country by 2025. Cats with mild CH have few symptoms. I knew what to ask for and how to explain her condition, because unfortunately not all vets are familiar with CH. Since cerebellar hypoplasia is a developmental condition which mainly affects kittens in utero. In some cases, the instability may cause the vertebrae to shift and compress the spinal cord. Required fields are marked *. In some cases, the … He poops and pees all over the house (through no fault of his own). Signs can progress to complete paralysis of all four limbs. I was concerned about how she would adapt with our other three cats. Gonzo (tabby face, white chest) has the most severe case of wobbly kitten syndrome of his siblings, but he doesn't let it slow him down and loves to play! He’s joined a household with three kids, two dogs and two other cats to boot. Wobbly Kitten Syndrome refers to musculoskeletal or neurological disorders that can negatively affect a kitten's movements. The predominant clinical signs of WHS are progressive ataxia and paralysis, with onset often under two years of age. However, they don't let it slow them down and love life! The reason being, he just can’t seem to control his bowel movements any longer. Disease progression is variable, but complete paralysis often occurs within 15 months. The cerebellum is responsible for controlling the fine motor skills, balance and coordination. Even if they are, not all cats have the same reactions and so as a responsible pet owner its preferred that we do out own research and take responsibility for the health and wellbeing of our fur-babies. Furthermore, I learned that this syndrome is not progressive – which means it never gets worse. Depending on the specific area(s) and amount of cerebellum affected, the severity at which the animal displays problems varies. Having this information at hand prepared me for her vet visits. But he’s a determined little guy.”. Concerned, Judy brought the kittens to the center in Salt Lake City, where the medical team determined that three of the four kittens indeed had CH. At night, Natasha can hear him playing with the other cats, and during the day Westley gets lots of licks from her BFF, a Maltese and shih tzu mix. In fact, Judy had to hold their heads still so they could eat, and then clear obstacles in their path so they could move around safely. “And he’s just like other cats except that he has a harder time getting around. “There’s whole community with big hearts for special-needs animals.”, Photos by Sarah Ause Kichas, Judy Steiger and Natasha Gwynn, No-Kill 2025 | The Sanctuary | Act for Animals | Stories | Adopt + FosterWays to Give | Pet Care Resources | Who We Are | Locations | Shop, Careers | Contact Us | For the Media | FAQs | Position Statements | Financial Information. If you have an adult cat with CH, a hood may help ensure that she does her business in the pan, as opposed to it going over the side. Judy heard that feline cerebellar hypoplasia (CH), a neurological condition sometimes referred to as wobbly or shaky kitten syndrome, causes cats to teeter (just like the kittens she was fostering), but she’d never seen CH firsthand. The one who was drowning (Salem) is a lot worse than the other (Foofy). She is just three months old and has a condition called Cerebellar Hypoplasia … There are other changes we are also planning to do in the future. Meet Iris! Having distorted vision could definitely cause her to misinterpret distance and it would also explain her lack of coordination when she tries to climb up onto the sofa. I was markably relieved when I found out that Cerebellar Hypoplasia (or CH) is not fatal. I also started noticing her head tremors and her chicken-like pecking at her food bowl. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Comment Policy. We got flatter feeding bowls so she can eat more easily. Iris is a very special kitten. Westley has a big, caring support system now. My cat has a neurological disorder. Cerebellar Hypoplasia is a neurological disorder which causes the cerebellum of the brain to develop improperly. Iris is a very special kitten. Moreover, I was worried about her quality of life. A vet has diagnosed Olive as having cerebellar hypoplasia, otherwise known as wobbly kitten syndrome, a condition that causes cats to walk with a little shimmy in their step. (This is also how I learned that she is the queen of shiny objects! The symptoms include problems walking, running, jumping or even locating items around them and the severity can vary widely. Mild head tremors; Intention tremors (when a kitty is getting ready to make a big movement like bending down to take a drink or pouncing on a toy) Hypermetria (a goose-like walk–like that one scene from Aristocats) Unsteady, jerky, or wobbly walking like adoptable CH kitten Lucy below. Judy occasionally gets updates about the CH kittens she fostered, and when she does, she’s reminded of Best Friends’ important work in making Utah a no-kill state in the very near future. Kittens with 'wobbly cat syndrome' have normal levels of intelligence, although they are often more dependent on humans and other animals, like Max (pictured), with whom they build strong bonds Judy Steiger fosters kittens from the Best Friends Kitten Nursery in Salt Lake City on a regular basis, so when she welcomed a nursing mom named Keiska and her four babies (French Fry, Pickle, Big Mac and Lettuce) into her home, she had a pretty good idea of what to expect. And even though her spirited house guests kept her on her toes (and sometimes awake at all hours of the night), she says she’d do it all again. It’s not you, its her. If your cat or kitten has mild CH, a regular litter box may be an option. The most common clinical sign of wobbler syndrome is a ‘wobbly’, uncoordinated gait, with a tendency to stumble and scuff their feet. There’d be mischief, epic tail chases (some at 3 a.m.) and enough cuteness to fill a stadium. All the kittens (except French Fry) had heads that bobbed and walks that wobbled. Otherwise known as “wobbly cat syndrome,” it’s a non-progressive, non-contagious neurological condition that results in walking and balance problems in cats and dogs. Responsible Pet Owners Month. She also found them a special litter box that they didn’t have to step into, and kept them in areas free from potentially dangerous objects. Two kittens that Goodenough recently adopted suffer from cerebellar hypoplasia, also known as wobbly cats syndrome, a neurological disorder resulting from interrupted development of the brain leading to uncoordinated movement. They also both suffer from Cerebellar Hypoplasia, also known as wobbly cat syndrome. They are around 8 months old. Your email address will not be published. My baby won’t die from this. The cat with cerebellar hypoplasia is abnormal from birth, though it may not be clear that something is wrong until the kittens are toddling around with some coordination. And this worried her, because she wanted them to grow up healthy and strong. Have you heard of Wobbly Kitten syndrome? These kittens suffer from wobbly kitten syndrome. Cervical spondylomyelopathy, also known as Wobblers Syndrome, is a neurological disorder that weakens or affects the stability of the cervical vertebrae in the neck. Walking into my home, you’re bound to be greeted by at least two of my four cats. You might think #coron, I said, WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE Assuming that she was the runt of the litter, I didn’t really pay much mind to her developmental retardation. Does wobbly kitten syndrome go away? Stella has mild to moderate CH. She falls off the bed, using one paw to grip the blanket before she crashes into the pillow on the floor -which we’ve put there as a soft landing spot. They don’t see themselves as having special needs, and that gave them character.”. Also known as wobbly cat syndrome, we look in detail at its causes, symptoms and possible treatment options. Some dogs have neck pain, although many do not show any sign of discomfort. While it may look frightening, it is actually not at all painful for the animals who have it. Our foster kitten, Shady, has Cerebellar Hypoplasia (aka CH or Wobbly Cat) which occurs when the cerebellum isn't completely matured at birth. It took me about fifteen minutes of intense, focused and distraught googling, YouTubing, and scouring for people on social media who have pets with this disorder to come to the conclusion that Stella is special, but – thank goodness – not terminal. In the case of a cat with CH, the underdeveloped cerebellum can impact the mobility of the kitten. What I noticed was her head tremor – this was not typical of eye problems and so I turned to my trusted friend and confident, Mentor Google. Caring for a Cat with Feline Cerebellar Hypoplasia. One owner, her cat is now ten years old, has recently had to confine her cat to a cage. They are sisters and their mother abandoned them. And Lettuce, the cat with the most severe case of CH, found a home when Natasha Gwynn learned about the family on Facebook. There’d be mischief, epic tail chases (some at 3 a.m.) and enough cuteness to fill a stadium. Accepting the suggested invitation, you make your way over to her only to find that she jumps up, and scurries away with a comical almost cartoon-like inadequacy. I’m honestly so impressed with how she’s adapted to her environment. What is ataxia? She knows how to manoeuvre her way into most spots and can figure out how to get up on the almost all our window sills (our curtains are her preferred bouldering assistance). Iota was born with a condition called Cerebellar hypoplasia (CH) or more commonly referred to by rescue organzations as 'wobbly kitten syndrom'. Your email address will not be published. She is able to walk, albeit wobbly, and without perfect coordination. However, most vets do not have access to specialist imaging equipment and the procedure is often expensive, meaning this step is often missed and a presumptive diagnosis is made. This is but only the beginning…, © All rights reserved // Brat with a Blog 2020. This study describes the signalment, clinical signs, gross, microscopic, and ultrastructural lesions of WHS in a cohort of 12 pet APHs. And with the guidance from Best Friends, she knew they’d be just fine. Un vétérinaire aurait besoin d'examiner de manière approfondie un chaton soupçonné de souffrir du syndrome du chaton Wobbly et, idéalement, de connaître les antécédents médicaux et l'ascendance de la mère. I have to admit though, that learning that she was special was jarring at first. Mom and French Fry found homes quickly and, thanks to social media, word about the three CH kittens spread quickly. Learn about Best Friends is helping Utah become no-kill, “They were so rambunctious,” says Judy, noting that the kitten quartet would teeter and totter down the hallways for hours. You may have never heard of wobbly cat syndrome, but it’s real and for kittens, it can present unique challenges as they learn to walk. Pickle and Big Mac had a moderate form, while Lettuce’s symptoms appeared to be more advanced. The litter boxes are in strategic places so she has easy access. Feline cerebellar hypoplasia, also known as wobbly cat syndrome, is a neurological disorder that occurs when the cerebellum of the brain does not properly develop in the womb. The anaesthetic can worsen the condition and even cause seizures. Undaunted by the diagnosis, Judy brought the family back home. Learning about feline cerebellar hypoplasia Judy heard that feline cerebellar hypoplasia (CH), a neurological condition sometimes referred to as wobbly or shaky kitten syndrome, causes cats to teeter (just like the kittens she was fostering), but she’d never seen CH firsthand. I knew that regardless of what condition she might have, I would take care of her as best I could. Pickle and Big Mac soon got adopted, too. It made me worried that I would not be able to meet her needs. Why do you rescue? Kittens with CH tend to develop at a slower pace, and Judy was patient as they developed their muscles and learned how to navigate on their own. And while a wall could prove good support for Westley while he walks, he prefers to go it alone. All 3 kittens have various degrees of wobbly kitten syndrome (cerebellum hypoplasia). Wobbly Kitten generally sets in when the kitten is 2-3 weeks old. 2020 - The year of travel “We typically see a few CH kittens at the nursery every season,” says Shemia Splonskowski, kitten nursery manager. They may have a slightly waddling gait, but they’re quite capable of getting around like other cats. Meet Iris! However, since the extent of the condition varies, not all kittens will behave the same way. Cerebellar Hypoplasia is a non-progressive and non-contagious developmental condition in which the cerebellum of the brain fails to develop properly. “Their mind cannot control any of … The first result was “Cerebellar Hypoplasia”. by Julia Wilson. My friend found two kittens a few months ago outside. She knows if she runs down the hall, to stick to centre.