What is Cerebellar Hypoplasia in Cats?

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The cerebellum is a part of the hindbrain in vertebrates. It performs a number of functions, but one of the most important is its role in controlling motor movement. A problem with an animal’s cerebellum has serious consequences for them, with cats being no exception to this rule.

Cerebellar hypoplasia is a particular kind of problem with the cerebellum that can be found in both cats and dogs. In short, it is when the animal has a cerebellum that is not fully mature when they are born, which has horrendous consequences for their motor movement. Unfortunately, this is not a problem with a simple and straightforward solution, meaning that the resulting challenges are life-long in nature.

For those who are curious, some cases of cerebellar hypoplasia can be more serious than others, which is why the condition can produce a wide range of symptoms. One example is how cats with cerebellar hypoplasia will have problems with basic walking, but some cats with cerebellar hypoplasia won’t be able to walk at all. Other symptoms of cerebellar hypoplasia range from the bobbing of the head to tremors in the limbs and frequent falls because of serious problems performing the basic tasks needed to execute a successful movement.

As for the causes of cerebellar hypoplasia, the most common cause is when a cat becomes infected with the panleukopenia virus while pregnant with a kitten, which will stunt the kitten’s growth. There are other problems that can stunt the growth of kittens while they are in the womb as well, with an excellent example being malnutrition.

What Can Be Done about Cerebellar Hypoplasia in Cats?

Generally speaking, it shouldn’t take too long for signs of cerebellar hypoplasia to show up in a kitten once it has been born. However, it isn’t something that cat owners should attempt to diagnose on their own, but instead something that they should entrust to a veterinarian should they pick up on signs of potential concern. This is critical because a veterinarian will be able to run the full range of tests needed to figure out the exact problem with a cat, which will be critical for coming up with the best solution to whatever condition is affecting them.

In some cases, a kitten can show signs of cerebellar hypoplasia that seem to progress for a short period of time. Once said period is over, their signs of cerebellar hypoplasia should show no signs of further progression for the rest of their lives. Some cats might be able to show some improvement over time as they become more capable of moving about by accommodating their condition, but this is by no means guaranteed. Otherwise, it is important to note that cerebellar hypoplasia is not something that can be transmitted from cat to cat. Furthermore, it is possible for cats to live relatively happy, healthy lives with cerebellar hypoplasia in some cases, not least because the condition doesn’t cause them any direct pain.

With that said, if someone is interested in taking care of a cat with cerebellar hypoplasia, they need to be prepared to put in the necessary effort. There are some cats with cerebellar hypoplasia who don’t need much extra care at all because their condition doesn’t actually have too much of a negative impact on their capabilities. However, the same can’t be said for other cats with cerebellar hypoplasia. For example, it is possible that a cat with cerebellar hypoplasia will struggle to make basic movements, meaning that they will have to be supervised much of a time. After all, if they can’t even run or climb, they are not going to fare well if they are left alone. In particularly serious cases, cats with cerebellar hypoplasia might not even be able to either feed themselves or groom themselves, which can cause a whole host of additional problems because of the complications that can arise from those issues. When this is the case, there might be a need for euthanasia to spare the cat from unnecessary suffering, though this is of course, a last resort.

Summed up, cerebellar hypoplasia can leave cats in a wide range of conditions, meaning that it needs a wide range of responses. This is why a veterinarian’s help is so important, both for diagnosing it and for coming up with the right response to it.