What is Cerebellar Hypoplasia?

Two of BCR's cats show symptoms of having Cerebellar Hypoplasia (CH):  Bunny and Merlin.  CH

develops in kittens before they're born if their mother is exposed to the panleukopenia virus or is vaccinated for it while she's pregnant.  This exposure can cause her kittens' brains not to develop completely, meaning their motor skills are not fully developed.  CH can also be caused by malnutrition or some kind of trauma to the mother cat.  It's also true that CH won't happen to all kittens who experience any of the above situations.  It's not a contagious condition either, so other cats aren't at risk.

For cats who have a severe case of CH it can look like they are disoriented, staggering when they walk and even falling over.  Bunny and Merlin have much milder CH.  In Bunny, you see it in her walk and Merlin has a slight head bob. 

The main thing to know is that they are NOT in pain and their condition doesn't negatively impact the quality of their lives.  You've all seen Bunny playing with her toys, stalking ants and zipping through the lobby with her special gait.  For Merlin, her head bob doesn't stop her from being a chipper, playful normal cat either!  CH cats can be adopted and have wonderful happy lives like Bunny and now Merlin!  

CLICK HERE to find out more about CH and cats who have this condition.