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Cerebellar Hypoplasia in Cats

The cerebellum is part of the normal animal brain, and makes up a large portion of the brain's matter. The cerebellum lies under the cerebrum and toward the back, above and behind the brainstem. Cerebellar hypoplasia occurs when parts of the cerebellum are not completely developed. This condition can occur due to intrinsic (genetic) causes, or due to extrinsic causes like infections, toxins or nutritional deficiencies. Symptoms are visible when kittens begin to stand and walk, around six weeks of age.

Symptoms and Types

• Head bobbing
• Limb tremors
  • Aggravated by movement or eating
  • Disappear during sleep
• Unsteadiness or clumsiness with a wide-based stance
• Unable to judge distance and disequilibrium:
  • Falling, flipping over
• Slight improvement may occur as patient accommodates its deficits

Causes

• Usually transplacental or perinatal infection
  • Parvovirus, which selectively attacks rapidly-dividing cells in the external layer of the cerebellum at birth and for two weeks postnatal

Diagnosis

You will need to give a thorough history of your cat's health, including a background history of symptoms, and any history that you can provide about your cat's family line. Your veterinarian will conduct a complete physical exam, including a blood chemical profile, a complete blood count, an electrolyte panel and a urinalysis to rule out other causes related to infection of the brain, or damage due to toxins in the environment.

Animals affected with cerebellar hypoplasia will usually show signs at birth or shortly thereafter. Kittens may show a slow progression of symptoms over the course of weeks or months. After the final postnatal (infant stage) onset of cerebellar hypoplasia, your kitten should not show any further progression of signs of this disorder. Age, breed, family or health history, and typical non-progressive symptoms are usually sufficient for a tentative diagnosis.