Though there are a few things that can make a kitten wobbly, the top consideration will be a condition known as cerebellar hypoplasia. This article will take a look at the other potential causes of wobbling and will dive deeper into what cerebellar hypoplasia in cats is and how it can be managed. Remember, a little clumsiness and balance loss is perfectly normal in the first few weeks of life, and most kittens will quickly grow out of this. For those who do get a cerebellar hypoplasia diagnosis, they can go on to live a relatively normal life.
What is wobbly cat syndrome?
Feline cerebellar hypoplasia occurs when the brain does not develop as it should during the fetal period. As the cerebellum's job is to control balance and coordination, those with an underdeveloped cerebellum will struggle to stay upright and can find it hard to control their movements. Though a kitten's movement may seem stiff or jolted, this is not a painful condition. As this is a developmental disorder, it is not infectious and cannot be 'caught' from a wobbly cat.
Causes of wobbly cat syndrome
Most often, we are dealing with a viral cause when a kitten is born with cerebellar hypoplasia. The causative virus is known as the feline panleukopenia virus, also known as feline parvovirus or distemper. When the mother cat is infected, the developing kittens' brains are targeted by the virus, which leads to underdeveloped cerebellum. Interestingly, some kittens from the litter may not be affected.
When presented with a young kitten struggling with their balance, a vet is going to be suspicious of an underdeveloped cerebellum. However, there are other possible reasons for balance problems in young cats, including:
- Malnutrition during pregnancy and nutritional deficiencies
- Trauma in utero or in early life
- A recent toxin ingestion (e.g., a plant or moldy food)
- Toxin buildup due to liver or kidney disease (caused by, for example, a liver shunt)
- Middle or inner ear disease
- Toxoplasmosis
Symptoms of wobbly cat syndrome
You may notice that the affected kittens are acting differently from the others in the litter from as young as two weeks of age. How severely affected a kitten is will depend on what stage of development they were at when the virus occurred and what proportion of the cerebellum was targeted. Some of the more common signs are:
- Trembling and tremors of the head (with no head tilt). These may be more pronounced when a kitten is scared.
- Dizziness and uncoordinated walking. For some, this will affect their ability to use their food and litter bowl, so be aware of your cat needing a little extra help.
- Staggering and swaying when standing still.
- Difficulty jumping and misjudging jumping distances.
- Taking exaggerated steps, like a show pony. This is called 'hypermetria.'
- Tremors and head bobbing when trying to eat or drink. This is known as 'an intention tremor.'
Living with a wobbly cat
Cats who have had neurological disorders since birth can often cope quite well with them, and caring for a wobbly cat is quite doable for most owners. Importantly, this condition is non-progressive, meaning signs do not worsen with time and your kitten should be able to adapt to their signs, as it's all they've ever known.
Making their life easy
Whether you've bred the kitten or you're adopting a cat with special needs, you'll want to be sure you're making life as easy as possible for them. There are several important things to consider to ensure they're happy and comfortable. This includes:
- Maintaining a safe environment that is easy for them to navigate. This should mean as few fall risks as possible, and putting some cushions down under windowsills and ledges.
- Providing softer floors like carpets, as they are preferable to tiles or wood when a cat is constantly falling over. They are also far less slippy.
- Raising up the food and water bowls and ensuring they're heavy and not easily knocked over.
- Keeping your cat as an indoor-only cat, or providing a fenced-in patio or garden. Allowing them out puts them at great risk of injury.
- Using grippy surfaces, non-slip mats, and ramps within the home to help them get around with ease.
- Giving them access to at least two large litter trays. They should have high walls to lean against and a big enough 'door' to allow easy entering and exiting.
- Being extra patient. These kitties need a whole lot of love and care and they do require more of your time and intervention than the average cat.
- Accessing regular vet care for them. This will mean check-ups once (or more) a year, ensuring they're vaccinated and neutered and keeping them up to date with their wormer.
Diagnosis and treatment
Though an experienced owner may already suspect a diagnosis of cerebellar hypoplasia when they are presented with a wobbly kitten, seeking a professional diagnosis is always important. This is because there are disorders that can mimic this condition. We'd also want the vet to assess the kitten, ensuring there are no other congenital or inherited defects.
Diagnosis
It is best to see your vet at the first suspicion that there is something wrong, which may mean going when the kitten is only a few weeks old. The vet will check the kitty, looking inside their ears and performing a neurological exam. They may also suggest some basic lab tests, such as a blood test and urine test. These tests can help rule out conditions such as ear infections, liver shunts, and toxoplasmosis.
Though imaging of the brain would be needed for an official diagnosis, in practice, this is rarely done as it is costly and requires an anesthetic. If the presenting history and signs are suggestive of cerebellar hypoplasia, the cat will likely be diagnosed based on this.
Treatment
Sadly, there is currently no cure or treatment for this condition. Still, most cats can lead fulfilling lives and require a little extra loving care from their dedicated owners and some slight changes to their home environments.
It is sensible to have these cats insured, particularly as they can be more prone to injuries.
For a small number of patients, they may have very severe or advanced symptoms that significantly affect their ability to eat, walk, and toilet. In these situations, putting them to sleep may be the kindest option.
With early diagnosis and a loving and understanding home, these cats should go on to do well. Though they will always have symptoms, they learn to live with these. These cats can enjoy a great quality of life with the right care plan in place.
FAQ
Can those with wobbly cat syndrome live a normal life?
To some extent they can, yes. These cats will always have issues with their balance and getting about, but most adapt well and can still enjoy doing normal 'cat' things. However, they should not be bred from, nor should they be allowed outside of the home.
Can an older cat develop cerebellar hypoplasia?
No. This is a condition that occurs when a kitten is in their mother's uterus and during their brain development. An older cat who becomes wobbly will have something else, such as an ear infection, recent toxicity, cerebellar degeneration, or brain tumor.
Can wobbly cat syndrome be prevented?
Yes, it can. Cats should be fully vaccinated before they are bred, and the vaccination for feline parvovirus is a core vaccine. Remember that cats are very fertile and if they're let outside when not spayed, they can become pregnant from about the age of 4 months.
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Cerebellar hypoplasia is a brain disorder caused by a virus when the kitten is still within their mother's uterus. The cerebellum does not grow and develop as it should, leading to balance issues, tremors, and awkward movements.
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When a young kitten is showing the typical signs of cerebellar hypoplasia, we can be fairly certain of the diagnosis. It is still important to seek veterinary care to confirm suspicions and ensure the cat has no other medical issues.
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There is not any medicine we can use to improve the symptoms, but cats tend to cope well. We should adapt the home to make life easy for them and must not allow them to go outside. While these cats need a bit of extra love and attention, they still make wonderful pets.
3 resources
- Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery. The wobbly cat: diagnostic and therapeutic approach to generalised ataxia.
- Journal of Comparative Pathology. Hydranencephaly and cerebellar hypoplasia in two kittens attributed to intrauterine parvovirus infection.
- Journal of feline medicine and surgery. Late onset cerebellar degeneration in middle-aged cats.
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