Ask A Vet: Adopting a Cat with Cerebellar Hypoplasia
By epetsure
Opening your home to a special needs pet can be an overwhelming and yet rewarding experience. Cerebellar hypoplasia (CH) is a neurological condition in which the cerebellum is smaller than usual or not completely developed. Cats with CH may have various degrees of trouble with their gait, head tremors, vision problems, and/or other health issue. However, because the severity of CH varies so greatly among cats, it’s often hard to tell just how affected your kitten or cat will be until it is older and has been followed by a veterinarian for an extended period of time. Although a CT Scan or MRI are the only way to diagnose CH, there are actually many conditions which mimic the symptoms of CH but are not.
Even though there is no treatment for CH, most pet parents of cats with CH happily report that their CH kitties are some of the sweetest cats they’ve ever known and their wonderful personalities more than make up for their physical disability.
Unfortunately, most shelters will not even attempt to adopt out a kitten or cat with CH, and just euthanize it upon arrival. That’s why it’s so important for pet parents to contact their local shelters and humane societies, notifying the staff and volunteers of their desire to adopt a special needs pet, should one need a good home.
8 Quick Things You Should Know About CH:
- It arises out of exposure to the virus or vaccine for panleukopenia, while the mother cat is late in her pregnancy. Or it can be the result of prenatal trauma, such as malnutrition.
- Kittens are born with the condition.
- There are different levels of severity.
- It is not a progressive condition.
- It is not contagious.
- CH cats can live happily with non-CH cats.
- Cats with CH have a normal life expectancy.
- CH cats are in no pain and just want to enjoy a life as normal as possible.
Q & A with Dr. Lee:
Q: Honey, a 1-year-old shelter cat I’ve fallen in love with, has cerebellar hypoplasia, which makes it hard for her to walk and jump, though she can use the litter box without difficulty. Is it wise to adopt a cat with special needs?
A: This week is Adopt a Less Adoptable Pet Week. If you’ve already given your heart to Honey, then open your home to her, too. You’ll be glad you did.
Special-needs pets return the favor by giving you unconditional love throughout their lives.
Honey’s clumsiness is due to cerebellar hypoplasia (CH), abnormal development of the part of the brain that controls balance and movement. CH results from exposure to the panleukopenia virus before birth or within two weeks after birth.
Clinical signs may include poor coordination, exaggerated movements, head tremors and a broad-based stance. The condition remains stable, neither worsening nor improving through life.
Given their ungainly coordination, cats with CH must live indoors throughout their lives.
*Lee Pickett, V.M.D. practices companion animal medicine in Pennsylvania. Contact her at askavet@epetsure.co.
While cerebellar hypoplasia is not covered by pet insurance, there are many things that pet insurance for cats will cover and is definitely worth looking into. Check out the great pet insurance plans available only with epetsure.
