Beasley the cat may look like a sailor who hasn't figured out his "sea legs" yet or maybe he got into too much cat nip. But all of that wobbly walking has a real scientific name, Cerebellar Hypoplasia. occurs when the cerebellum, the part of the brain which controls fine motor skills and coordination, is not completely developed. It can be caused by trauma in the womb such as malnutrition or if the mother contracts panleukopenia late in her pregnancy.
The good news is that CH is not a progressive condition, meaning it doesn't get worse. Cats who have the condition can also live a normal life expectancy. Depending on the severity of the cat's condition, they may prefer litter boxes with higher sides for support and some modified access to furniture to help prevent falls. One way to help prevent this condition is making sure your pets are updated on vaccines to prevent panleukopenia and to spay and neuter your pets.
Some people still don't understand a lot about this condition and sometimes cats are euthanized when diagnosed with Cerebellar Hypoplasia. Because of your support, Beasley was quickly adopted and can live a long healthy life.
