If a kitten starts displaying jerky behavior, falling down a lot while moving, having trouble jumping up on your lap, or seem to have a "bobble" head, and using a pecking like action when eating, reminisicant of a chicken, they may have Cerebellar Hypoplasia. The cause could be panleukopenia infection prior to birth, or injury, poisoning, or improper development in the uterus. It can be caused by vaccinating a pregnant mother cat. Once the symptoms are seen, they do not usually get any worse, as the cat ages. The cat learns to compensate, and with some care to help them along, they can live normal, healthy, happy lives.

ACR has had several kittens over the years with this condition. This New Year, we had a cute little family of tabby kittens come in to us with the condition. Out of 4 kittens, one was completely normal, and three showed varying signs of the condition with a little tabby & white baby girl being the worst, and falling down a lot. This did not deter her in any way, though, from charging around ACR Volunteer Caroline's apartment like a madcap along with her siblings.

All of the CH kitties are very loving and happy and have compensated well despite their "problem". In fact, they do not realize they are any different from the other cats in the household and have no problem interacting...I don't think the other "normal" cats think they are any different either!

If any of the kittens in your home show signs of the back leg "wobbles" do get them vet checked first, as back leg paralysis can also be a sign of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP.) Although with FIP the kitten will usually be very sick and could have other symptoms, such as a bloated belly.

CH kittens are not sick, and will not get any worse. Kittens with FIP get progressively sicker.

If you do want to open up your heart and home to a "special needs" kitty, do consider one who has CH. For more information, please check out the website for the CH Kitty Club. They are a wealth of information, pictures, stories and Q&A for kitties with this condition. You can find them at www.chkittyclub.com.