CEREBELLAR HYPOPLASIA (BIG BOY HAD THIS, RIP BIG BOY!)
CEREBELLAR HYPOPLASIA (IN CATS) BIG BOY HAD THIS.
RIP BIG BOY OCTOBER 2005 - NOVEMBER 13, 2012
"FIE virus crosses the blood-brain barrier in unborn kittens and causes defects in the cerebellum. Kittens infected near the end of the mother's pregnancy may be stillborn or may be born with Cerebellar Hypoplasia It also depends on the mother cat's health, the environment and the amount of virus she was exposed to. There are different strains of the virus and some may be more damaging to unborn kittens than others. Moreover, a person who has a mother cat VACCINATED not realizing the mother is pregnant is killing or injuring the developing kittens by doing so. That is why vaccinations are best done at the same time a female cat is fixed (ALL CATS SHOULD BE FIXED AT FIVE MONTHS OF AGE!).
Unborn kittens affected by distemper disease IN-UTERO or innoculation of the mother, may not grow as large and have slower development. The virus affects the cerebellum area of the brain, an area involved in fine motor control. Typical symptoms are ataxia (poor co-ordination), gait abnormalities and perception. Affected cats are wobbly and unco-ordinated (variable degrees from wobbly through to unable to walk) and have mild head tremors (swaying) as they try to focus on something (e.g. a bird). Many also have sight problems, but it is difficult to assess their sight due to their strange posture and gait. It often looks as though their body goes the opposite of what they are telling it to do, or one part goes in one direction while the other tries to head off elsewhere! The cat will adapt to these challenges, but will always be clumsy and may be nervous or unsure of themselves in new situations. Barring any accidents caused by their unco-ordination, their life expectancy doesn't seem to be affected and seem little troubled by their condition.
CH cats don't worry over their inability to do things in the same way or at the same speed as other cats. These cats can do many things that other cats do and are equally independent - they climb, play and perform feats, though they can be alarming to watch, especially as they teeter and fall. When they slip, they catch hold with their claws and haul themselves back up again. Like disabled humans most won't want to be overprotected, but in the same way that disabled facilities are made available to humans, some thought needs to be given to toilet facilities, access to favourite spots etc to ensure their wellbeing.
Many humans are unaware of the condition and people who see these cats try to help the 'injured cat', the cat's crazy zig-zag run confuses most pursuers, as the cats don't end up in the place they appear to be heading for. Even birds are caught unawares by this zig-zag approach and I know of CH cats who are reasonable hunters, exploiting this element of surprise. CH cats are extremely independent and owners report that affected cats are usually more affectionate, loving, lapcats. They have "sunny personalities", but some allowances still have to be made for their disability.
CH cats often lean against walls when at rest and when running, using the wall for stability and guidance. The litter tray needs to be untippable and high-sided apart from the entrance. Puss may need to lean against a side while using it. Even so, you need newspaper around it and must be prepared for some accidents as they don't always position themselves correctly. You may need to clean them up more frequently as the cat may be unable to co-ordinate itself well enough to stay in a squatting position while using the tray, or it may stagger and tread in the faeces. CH cats are also messy eaters, placing both front paws in the food to prop their head up while eating. If they twitch, some of the food goes flying so feed it in an easily cleaned area and use an untippable water bowl!
Despite what would seem to be insurmountable problems to humans, CH cats enjoy a good quality of life, but need the owner to watch out for their inevitable accidents. When they fall, they often fall over and relatively short falls, will damage their dignity rather than their body. One owner of a CH cat told me "let him pick himself up first, don't compound the indignity by picking him up unless it is obvious that he needs help or is injured."
RIP BIG BOY OCTOBER 2005 - NOVEMBER 13, 2012
"FIE virus crosses the blood-brain barrier in unborn kittens and causes defects in the cerebellum. Kittens infected near the end of the mother's pregnancy may be stillborn or may be born with Cerebellar Hypoplasia It also depends on the mother cat's health, the environment and the amount of virus she was exposed to. There are different strains of the virus and some may be more damaging to unborn kittens than others. Moreover, a person who has a mother cat VACCINATED not realizing the mother is pregnant is killing or injuring the developing kittens by doing so. That is why vaccinations are best done at the same time a female cat is fixed (ALL CATS SHOULD BE FIXED AT FIVE MONTHS OF AGE!).
Unborn kittens affected by distemper disease IN-UTERO or innoculation of the mother, may not grow as large and have slower development. The virus affects the cerebellum area of the brain, an area involved in fine motor control. Typical symptoms are ataxia (poor co-ordination), gait abnormalities and perception. Affected cats are wobbly and unco-ordinated (variable degrees from wobbly through to unable to walk) and have mild head tremors (swaying) as they try to focus on something (e.g. a bird). Many also have sight problems, but it is difficult to assess their sight due to their strange posture and gait. It often looks as though their body goes the opposite of what they are telling it to do, or one part goes in one direction while the other tries to head off elsewhere! The cat will adapt to these challenges, but will always be clumsy and may be nervous or unsure of themselves in new situations. Barring any accidents caused by their unco-ordination, their life expectancy doesn't seem to be affected and seem little troubled by their condition.
CH cats don't worry over their inability to do things in the same way or at the same speed as other cats. These cats can do many things that other cats do and are equally independent - they climb, play and perform feats, though they can be alarming to watch, especially as they teeter and fall. When they slip, they catch hold with their claws and haul themselves back up again. Like disabled humans most won't want to be overprotected, but in the same way that disabled facilities are made available to humans, some thought needs to be given to toilet facilities, access to favourite spots etc to ensure their wellbeing.
Many humans are unaware of the condition and people who see these cats try to help the 'injured cat', the cat's crazy zig-zag run confuses most pursuers, as the cats don't end up in the place they appear to be heading for. Even birds are caught unawares by this zig-zag approach and I know of CH cats who are reasonable hunters, exploiting this element of surprise. CH cats are extremely independent and owners report that affected cats are usually more affectionate, loving, lapcats. They have "sunny personalities", but some allowances still have to be made for their disability.
CH cats often lean against walls when at rest and when running, using the wall for stability and guidance. The litter tray needs to be untippable and high-sided apart from the entrance. Puss may need to lean against a side while using it. Even so, you need newspaper around it and must be prepared for some accidents as they don't always position themselves correctly. You may need to clean them up more frequently as the cat may be unable to co-ordinate itself well enough to stay in a squatting position while using the tray, or it may stagger and tread in the faeces. CH cats are also messy eaters, placing both front paws in the food to prop their head up while eating. If they twitch, some of the food goes flying so feed it in an easily cleaned area and use an untippable water bowl!
Despite what would seem to be insurmountable problems to humans, CH cats enjoy a good quality of life, but need the owner to watch out for their inevitable accidents. When they fall, they often fall over and relatively short falls, will damage their dignity rather than their body. One owner of a CH cat told me "let him pick himself up first, don't compound the indignity by picking him up unless it is obvious that he needs help or is injured."
Replies
Oh how sad, I am feeling very bad for Big Boy and hope that he went peacefully. How awful for you. (((((((((((((((((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))))))))
That\'s horrible!!! I\'m sorry for your loss. :( *big hugs*
This was very informative. It hurts to lose a pet that one has so much love for. Big Boy lived seven years; he had a good life with you.
poor Big Boy. sorry for your loss. sending you fluffy hugs
Poor sweet Big Boy. I\'m so sorry you two were seperated so soon!
I\'ve had cats my whole life and never heard of this condition before! Thanks so much for the education, 79!!! I\'ve learned so much. The whole zig zag thing, makes me think I may have seen some cats with this condition in my life. SO sorry about Big Boy! You\'re a wonderful mama!!
thank you for your support everyone. i\'m still sick about it. i\'ll be like this for at least a couple of weeks. i know with rocket cat, she died in 2008 and i still look for her. never got passed that at all. i think she should still be alive and that is why. i hope she haunts the person that did that.
i get angry when something dies.
So sorry to hear about Big Boy ... the two of you were inseparable ... hugs sent your way!