Cerebellar Hypoplasia
Gelatina has "wobbly cat syndrome"
If a kitten starts displaying jerky behavior, falling down a lot while moving, having trouble jumping up on your lap, or seem to have a "bobble" head, and using a pecking like action when eating, reminisicant of a chicken, they may have Cerebellar Hypoplasia (CH). The cause of CH could be panleukopenia infection prior to birth, injury, poisoning, or improper development in the uterus. CH can also be caused by vaccinating a pregnant mother cat. Once the symptoms are seen, they do not usually get any worse as the cat ages. Cats learn to compensate well and with some care to help them along, they can live normal, healthy, happy lives.
CH kitties do not realize they are any different from other cats and usually have no problem interacting with them.
If any of the kittens in your home have difficulty walking, do get them vet checked, as back leg paralysis can also be a sign of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP.) Although with FIP, the kitten will usually be very sick and show other symptoms, such as a bloated bell, it is better to be sure. CH kittens are not sick, and their condition will not get worse. Kittens with FIP get progressively sicker and will die without treatment.
If you want to open up your heart and home to a "special needs" kitty, do consider one who has CH. For more information, please check out the website for the CH Kitty Club. It is a wealth of information, pictures, stories, and Q&A for kitties with this condition.
CH kitties do not realize they are any different from other cats and usually have no problem interacting with them.
If any of the kittens in your home have difficulty walking, do get them vet checked, as back leg paralysis can also be a sign of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP.) Although with FIP, the kitten will usually be very sick and show other symptoms, such as a bloated bell, it is better to be sure. CH kittens are not sick, and their condition will not get worse. Kittens with FIP get progressively sicker and will die without treatment.
If you want to open up your heart and home to a "special needs" kitty, do consider one who has CH. For more information, please check out the website for the CH Kitty Club. It is a wealth of information, pictures, stories, and Q&A for kitties with this condition.