If a small kitten staggers while walking and falls, this always alarms the owner. The situation seems especially strange when the pet does not have any other health problems. The kitten has a good appetite, it is mobile and active, and does not emit a plaintive meow. But he is not able to walk normally, as a rule, from his very first steps. This may be a manifestation of cerebellar ataxia in cats. This pathology does not affect the general health in any way. Poor coordination of movements is its only manifestation.
Why does the kitten walk poorly?
Cerebellar ataxia in cats is a congenital pathology. It manifests itself at an early age, when kittens begin to take their first independent steps.
Ataxia is a disorder of motor coordination. This deviation can have various origins. In this case, the cause of the pathology is underdevelopment of the cerebellum. This organ is responsible for the sensation of the body’s position in space and the coherence of movements.
In sick kittens, damage to the cerebellum occurs during fetal development due to various adverse effects on the mother’s body during pregnancy. Various factors can contribute to the birth of a sick kitten. Most often, cerebellar ataxia in babies occurs if a pregnant cat has had panleukopenia (distemper). Parvovirus causes damage to the cerebellum, which leads to hypoplasia of the organ.
Ataxia in kittens usually develops if the mother becomes ill with distemper in the later stages. Infection with panleukopenia early in pregnancy usually leads to the death of the embryos. If the infection occurs closer to birth, then both dead kittens and cubs with cerebellar hypoplasia may be born.
Other harmful effects on the mother’s body can also lead to congenital ataxia in a kitten:
- bacterial infectious diseases;
- food or poison poisoning;
- helminthic infestation;
- poor nutrition.
There is also a hereditary form of ataxia in cats. However, this pathology is rare.
Causes
The most common cause of loss of coordination of movements is infectious diseases affecting the nervous system and brain. These, in most cases, include panleukopenia.
Cerebellar - often the cause of ataxia is aplasia of brain structures. This disease is congenital in nature and can arise both from a hereditary genetic predisposition and from developmental disorders in the prenatal period. Typically, sick kittens are born when the mother has panleukopenia. Also, the cause of damage to the cerebellum and the subsequent development of ataxia can be traumatic brain injury, inflammatory processes and cerebral edema.
With vestibular ataxia, there are two options for the development of the disease:
- The structure of the inner ear - the cause is its damage due to otitis media, neuritis of the craniofacial nerves, idiopathic vestibular syndrome and tumors.
- The medulla oblongata and brain stem are tumors.
Possible causes of disorders in spinal ataxia are intervertebral hernias, inflammatory diseases and spinal cord trauma.
Signs of pathology
The disease first appears in childhood, when the kitten begins to move actively. The baby walks with a strong stagger (“drunk gait”), often falls and spreads his paws wide when moving. This is the leading symptom of the pathology. In addition, the kitten's head trembles, especially when it tries to focus its attention on a toy or some other object.
Veterinarians distinguish several degrees of cerebellar ataxia in cats:
- Easy. The kitten has slight gait disturbances, and the baby periodically falls. But in general, the animal moves without any problems.
- Average. The pet's movement is very difficult, and frequent falls are observed. But the animal is still able to walk.
- Heavy. The animal cannot move at all.
However, the pets do not experience any other changes in their health status. This disease is not accompanied by pain. Cats with ataxia eat normally and do not feel ill.
A kitten with ataxia develops normally. Damage to the cerebellum does not affect the mental abilities of the pet in any way. The disease also does not affect life expectancy. A cat with ataxia can live to a ripe old age.
This disease does not progress. On the contrary, with age, the animal’s movements become more coordinated. If a cat’s gait worsens over time, then most likely this is due to other pathologies, and not to cerebellar ataxia.
CH Cats, cerebellar hypoplasia, cerebellar hypoplasia in cats
Recently, on forums of cat lovers, and indeed on the Internet, advertisements have appeared about the adoption of kittens with cerebellar ataxia into very good hands. In the English-speaking part of the Web, they are known as CH Cats (CH is short for cerebellar hypoplasia, cerebellar hypoplasia) or Wobbly Cats (connecting rod cats - by analogy with a part of some mechanisms that constantly swings from side to side). This is a lifelong disorder of motor coordination that occurs as a result of damage to the cerebellum during the prenatal development of a kitten. Growing up, such cats wander through life, staggering like a drunken sailor, and, like him, worrying just as little about their condition. Unlike the brave sailor, they still need constant supervision and care, but their chances of actually adapting to life in your home are very high.
Most often, the cerebellum is underdeveloped in kittens whose mother suffered panleukopenia during pregnancy. When infected in the early stages of pregnancy, the panleukopenia virus, as a rule, simply interrupts it, causing damage incompatible with life in 4-5-week-old fetuses. If the infection occurs towards the end of pregnancy, kittens may be born either dead or with hypoplasia (underdevelopment) of the cerebellum. Other causes may be infections, starvation, poisoning, or trauma to the fetus during fetal development.
Symptoms can appear in kittens immediately after birth, although they really become noticeable when the kittens begin to actively move around. The cerebellum controls fine motor skills and coordination of movements, therefore, these are the functions that will suffer first. A kitten with cerebellar ataxia puts its paws wide when walking, staggers, falls, and its head trembles, especially at the moment when its attention is focused on something - a toy or potential prey. According to the severity of ataxia, there are mild (changed gait, animals sometimes fall, but generally move without any problems), moderate (movement is difficult, often fall, but can walk) and severe (cannot walk) forms. Moreover, even among littermates, the severity of the lesion is not the same.
City streets are dangerous even for healthy cats. It is much more difficult for a cat with cerebellar ataxia to avoid collisions with vehicles and resist the aggression of other animals. Therefore, free access to the street is not for them. It’s another matter if you have an area with a fence through which cats cannot get through, or even better - a specially equipped enclosure. In addition, the patient can be taken to kindergarten on a harness with a leash. They love to go for walks!
The consolation can be the absence of pain and the fact that, unless there are other serious diseases, cerebellar ataxia itself does not affect life expectancy. It is also good that over time this disease does not progress, and the patient’s skills, on the contrary, improve, since his mental abilities do not suffer. An accurate diagnosis can only be made based on the results of a CT or MRI. However, veterinarians typically diagnose cerebellar ataxia based on typical signs visible to the naked eye. However, remember that similar symptoms can occur with other diseases, such as degenerative diseases and brain tumors. Cerebellar ataxia has no cure, but it also does not progress with age. Improving the condition is possible through muscle training and compensatory behavior of the cat. And if previously kittens with cerebellar ataxia were most often euthanized, now they have been given back their right to life. With mild to moderate ataxia, cats, as a rule, easily tolerate their illness without experiencing suffering, and with the help of their owners, they lead an almost normal lifestyle. They are distinguished by their affectionate nature, friendliness and affection, because they are highly dependent on us. Such cats maintain a close emotional connection with the person who cares for them throughout their lives: an eternal kitten and an omnipotent mother - a “big two-legged cat”... It is not surprising that the poor creatures are becoming fashionable (some American shelters even have pre-registration for such pets). But you must understand that they will need more of your care and attention than ordinary cats.
Everything is in our paws!
When observing littermates who have the disease, the owner of the cat family can see the difficult adaptation process in detail. Kittens learn to walk, play with each other, pester their mother, who, as a rule, combines touching care and strict education in the best cat style. It is not customary to make allowances for the “squalor” of animals: you can only walk with splayed paws - learn to walk so that they splay optimally, period! Nature has saved animals from worries and reflections about their inferiority. The kittens storm the next obstacle, briefly get angry at the failure, climb again - and finally overcome it. How can they?
Connecting rod cats get along well with healthy relatives. For example, red-haired Toast and Marmalade happily accepted the massive and respectable Smudge into their company.
In brothers and sisters, fellow sufferers, the cerebellum can be affected to varying degrees, and therefore the degree of impairment is not the same. But their character is similar in general among all cats. Such patients can simply fall while standing on level ground due to muscle tension unnoticeable to us in preparation for movement. Cats with an underdeveloped cerebellum are very sensitive to shocks and sudden movements, they usually walk with their legs very wide apart (some also raise them quite high, just like horses in the “Spanish step”) and like to move sideways or diagonally. Sometimes the forelimbs seem to move in one style, and the hind limbs in a completely different way; the tail is tense, the cat is actively balancing it. What these cats absolutely cannot do, the owners note, is moving silently. They also look very unusual when eating: they take a piece, moving their heads like a bird, as if pecking at it; for some, it’s easier to clasp the bowl with their paws so as not to “miss”...
Crank cats move unusually and do a lot of things differently, but each one eventually finds the best set of moves for itself. The developing cerebral cortex begins to take over some of the functions of the cerebellum at about the age of one year - subject, of course, to regular training. Playing with peers and other friendly relatives, walking around the house independently is good, but not enough. An indispensable condition for stabilizing the condition of cats with poor coordination is regular exercise therapy. Try yourself as a cat exercise instructor. A toy on a “fishing rod” is perfect. It is better to move it along the floor or very low above it, since jumping high is a problem for our patients, and standing on their hind legs, they will not be able to stand.
But creeping throws from an ambush can work, even if at the end point the hunter has to roll over and grab the prey from a prone position. It is useful to practice not only those movements that move the animal in space, but also fine motor skills - for example, organize a masterly extraction of a toy mouse or a small ball from a box with holes or from “labyrinths”. On the one hand, you need to load your client’s muscles and constantly train his nervous system in order to develop compensatory reactions. On the other hand, during active games and adventures, it is necessary to look after the kitten so that it does not get injured, because some of the ordinary surrounding objects turn into a source of danger for them. To avoid injury and trouble, make some changes to your environment. What should a safe home be like for a cat with a defective cerebellum?
A house where walls help
For such a cat, walls are literally additional supports, like any furniture that you can lean against. Therefore, the first piece of advice: for the walls to fully help, they must be absolutely smooth, and the approach to them must be free. Vases, small pots and other objects that are easy to drop should not be in the animal’s path.
YouTube stars By posting videos talking about their pets with cerebellar ataxia, owners make them known to the whole world. Meet Roxy, Smokey and Zero. Little red-haired Gordon is learning to walk with concentration and persistence. And the most ordinary short-haired, gray striped cat, Charlie, became a real Internet star: millions watched his games with his owner with a smile.
The second important object is the surface on which the cat walks. Let's start with the floor. It should not be a source of splinters - after all, Wobbly Cat has a habit of plopping down on the floor and then moving in a given direction while lying down. And also the floor should not be slippery. The paws on such a surface are poorly fixed and move apart more than necessary. It will be easiest for our client to sit on a short-pile rug or carpet. Window sills and other “high” places that a disabled person can reach should also have a non-slip surface and sufficient width to make it easier to turn around and more difficult to fall off. Where the cat ends up if it does fall, place pillows, mattresses or rugs of sufficient thickness.
Blankets, covers and other surfaces on which the cat likes to climb must be secured so as not to slip or fall under its weight. Pay special attention to your pet’s “manicure”: the claws should be of working length, but not bent at the ends with a hook, so as not to get stuck in the fabric! No covers for claws, and removal of the claws is strictly contraindicated for cats with impaired coordination of movements. Now we will solve hygienic organizational issues. A cat with poor coordination may find it difficult to be neat and take care of himself. She may knock over bowls, splash water and scatter food due to head tremors, and will often reach into food bowls with her front paws to gain support. The cat's dining room should be located in a place that is easy to clean (and wash), and the cat herself will have to wipe her face and paws after eating. Your cat will need regular inspection and assistance even after using the litter box. You should also think about how such a cat will climb into the tray. On three sides it should have high sides that you can lean on, but on the fourth there should be a convenient entrance with a small threshold.
The whole truth about CH Cat
The owners of the rods are trying to attract public attention to such cats and prove their right to life. In the West, clubs and communities of owners of cats with cerebellar ataxia have recently become widespread (for example, https://lifewithchcats.com, chcat.org, www.felinecerebellarhypoplasia.com, thewobblycat.blogspot.com, etc.). Most CH kittens that find families literally escape death. Activists believe that some veterinarians are in too much of a hurry to euthanize such animals. Eliza Murphy has prepared a brochure for printing that is distributed in veterinary clinics, shelters, pet stores, etc. Causes, symptoms, prognosis, severity, possibility of adaptation... Everything so that anyone can understand the essence of the problem and save another kitten with cerebellar ataxia. Connecting cats deserve a full and happy life. A little more love and care - and they can have it.
As you can see, there is nothing wrong with pets with mild to moderate cerebellar ataxia. Connecting cats frolic, communicate with their relatives, play with people, in short, they LIVE simply and tastefully. Rejoice with them and, if you suddenly have such a kitten in your arms, give it a chance!
Characteristics of sick cats
Sometimes on the Internet you can find advertisements for the placement of kittens with cerebellar ataxia into good hands. And many owners willingly accept such animals into their homes. Why do people try to buy a sick kitten?
Previously, such cubs were most often euthanized. After all, treatment for cerebellar ataxia in cats has not yet been developed. However, these days, these animals are increasingly finding loving owners.
Cats with ataxia are unaware of their illness. They do not experience any unpleasant sensations. These animals just need extra attention and care. With the help of the owner, sick cats can lead a normal life, especially with mild to moderate pathology.
Cats with congenital cerebellar hypoplasia are distinguished by their kindness and increased affection. They become strongly attached to their owner, as they largely depend on human help. The popularity of these animals is due to their kind and friendly nature.
In the video below you can see two kittens with cerebellar ataxia playing. The disease does not prevent them from being mobile and active.
Associated symptoms
In addition to an unnatural tilt of the head to one side, a sick cat may also exhibit some of the following symptoms:
- hyperemia of the parotid region and the ear itself;
- nausea;
- lack of appetite;
- disorientation in space;
- vomit;
- hearing problems;
- reluctance to chew food;
- unsteadiness of gait.
All these signs may directly or indirectly indicate the presence of one of the above conditions and diseases. If you suspect that your pet has several other pathological symptoms in addition to an unnatural head tilt, you should seek help.
If a kitten's head rolls to the side, the pet may have suffered a severe viral infection without the owner noticing. As a complication, he may have had a change in his vision of the horizon. Timely treatment and proper care in such cases allow the animal to adapt, but the main thing is not to waste time.
Diagnostics
An experienced veterinarian can detect the disease during examination of the kitten. A characteristic sign of this pathology is the onset of problems with coordination of movements at an early age.
However, ataxia can also have other origins. This symptom can occur with injuries, infections and tumors. Therefore, the veterinarian takes a history and may ask the owner the following questions:
- Has the kitten ever fallen or been injured?
- Did the cat have any poisoning?
- What infections did the cub have?
- Are there any other health problems other than poor motor coordination?
An MRI examination will help make an accurate diagnosis of a kitten. Using this diagnosis, it is possible to establish underdevelopment of the cerebellum.
What diagnostic measures may be required?
During the initial examination, the veterinarian collects a complete history of the animal (symptoms of pathology, the pet’s lifestyle, age, presence and absence of other diseases, etc.). Based on the medical history, the doctor already determines a list of diagnostic measures and tests.
Diagnostics may include:
- MRI of the head;
- urine and blood analysis;
- hearing test;
- X-ray of the head;
- examination of the animal;
- test for nervous system reactions.
Almost all of the above activities are carried out at the first appointment, except for tests.
Treatment
How to treat ataxia in cats? If the pathology is associated with congenital underdevelopment of the cerebellum, then currently no effective treatment methods have been developed. A sick kitten will never be able to move as confidently as healthy animals. However, most owners find it very difficult to come to terms with this situation. How to help the baby?
Treatment of ataxia in cats at home can only consist of developing movements through games. This will be a kind of physical therapy for your pet.
Treatment on an outpatient basis and at home
It is important that therapy is carried out comprehensively. The treatment regimen is developed depending on the cause that caused the development of the disease. In this regard, the dosage of drugs may differ even if we are talking about the same form of pathology.
The following medications are most often prescribed:
- vitamin complexes, B vitamins;
- to eliminate infections - antibiotics;
- for swelling of the brain - diuretics;
- Hepatoject for liver dysfunction;
- to improve blood circulation in the brain - Cerebrolysate;
- saline solutions in droppers to relieve intoxication.
Physiotherapy and massage are recommended for the animal. If the spinal cord is affected, surgery is required.
Important! You should not try to treat yourself. A sick animal requires professional advice from a veterinarian. The severe form cannot be eliminated using folk methods alone without an integrated approach.
Vitamins for full recovery
How to play with a kitten
To develop coordination of movements, it is useful to arrange games with “prey” in the form of a toy mouse or other object suspended on a fishing rod with a string. It needs to be moved along the floor or slightly raised above the surface. There is no need to force your pet to reach for a toy; such a kitten does not stand well on its hind legs. Also, do not force your pet to jump, otherwise it may end in a fall.
But throwing movements work well for kittens with ataxia. The animal may ambush the toy. In this case, the kitten usually turns over on its back and grabs the prey with its paws. Developing such movements in a cat is very useful.
We must not forget about games for the development of fine motor skills. Nowadays, there are special puzzles for cats on sale with balls and toys hidden inside, as well as mazes. Such toys are very useful for animals with ataxia, as they help develop the accuracy of small movements.
All educational games must be supervised by the owner. After all, cats with ataxia fall very often.
Types of ataxia
Depending on the area of damage, there are two main types of pathology.
Sensitive ataxia (proprioceptive)
Idiopathic cystitis in cats: symptoms and treatment
This form of the disease occurs due to damage to the spinal cord or peripheral nerves. The occurrence of the disorder may be influenced by the presence of a tumor in the intervertebral discs in the cat.
The animal loses the ability to flex and extend its paws at the joints. It cannot consciously choose the direction of its movement. The cat is experiencing severe pain in the back and neck. In severe forms of the pathology, the cat cannot move completely.
Attention! If the brain is only partially damaged and treatment is given early, your pet has a chance of a full recovery.
Vestibular ataxia
The diagnosis of vestibular ataxia is made if the inner ear system is affected and there is also a tumor of the brain stem. Pets over ten years of age most often get sick. The cat cannot stand, it falls on its side. The head tilts towards the affected side. The animal moves very slowly and carefully. Vomiting is sometimes observed.
Vestibular ataxia can occur due to:
- development of a brain tumor;
- otitis media;
- infections;
- injuries when cleaning ears;
- drug overdose.
Important! The first sign of pathology is that the cat is sitting in the corner, leaning its forehead against the wall.
Signs of vestibular ataxia
How to make your home safe for your pet
Since there is no effective treatment for cerebellar ataxia, it is very important to protect your pet as much as possible from injury from falls. After all, a lack of coordination will accompany the animal throughout its life. To prevent the kitten from getting hurt, you must follow the following rules:
- It is very important that the floor is not slippery, otherwise the animal’s paws will move apart greatly. Wood flooring should be smooth to prevent your pet from getting a splinter. The ideal surface is carpet. It will be convenient for the cat to move around. You can also cover the floor with rugs.
- It is necessary to remove from the floor all large unnecessary objects that the cat might stumble upon while moving.
- Many cats love to climb on bedspreads and curtains. Such vertical surfaces must be securely fastened. You need to pay attention to the length of your pet’s claws. After all, with their help the animal clings to the fabric. You cannot cut the nails too short, otherwise the pet will not be able to hold on to them. At the same time, the claws should not be allowed to curl and get stuck in the fabric.
- Feeding cats with ataxia should be supervised by the owner. An animal with a movement disorder often splashes water and scatters food. Therefore, bowls should be placed so that the feeding area is easy to clean. After eating, you need to wipe the animal's paws and face.
It is important to remember that with ataxia, independent walks are strictly contraindicated for cats. Such animals can get hit by a car; they cannot defend themselves from aggressive relatives and cannot escape from dogs. However, pets with ataxia usually enjoy movement. They can be walked, but only on a harness.
Veterinarian advice on prevention
How to prevent cerebellar ataxia in cats? It is necessary to protect a pregnant pet from any harmful influences. You need to adhere to the following recommendations from experts on keeping a cat in an “interesting situation”:
- You should not let your pet go for walks.
- When arriving home, the owner must immediately change his shoes and wash his hands thoroughly. People often carry the distemper virus on the soles of their shoes.
- It is necessary to exclude contact of the cat with infected animals.
- Before mating, it is necessary to take a parvovirus test and deworm the animal.
- A pregnant cat needs adequate nutrition.
- It is necessary to monitor the quality of food and protect the animal from poisoning.
Following these rules will significantly reduce the risk of giving birth to a kitten with ataxia.
