For our awesome new members the question came up again. Pandora what is CH? Mommy does not know how I got this ability, some say I was born with it. Which isnt all that uncommon when kitties come from breeders of an unknown source. Momma hopes that you all would adopt shelter kitties like she does, or if you do choose a breeder, do your research, visit their cattery, and check lineage of all cats involved. Mommy does not condone the breeding of cats as long as it is done in a loving quality not quantity manner. One day as I was busy playing Mommy noticed my head was shaking. She just brushed it aside as if it was just an itchy ear the first time. But when she saw me do it on a more regular basis, it started to worry her. Then came the clumsies. When I would jump sometimes when my head would shake, I would miss my footing to land where I wanted and Id fall. This worried mommy even more. I was a normal kitty, with no problems just very clumsy and it appeared I had some kind of seizure in her eyes. So the worry wart Mommy decided to do research on what could be wrong with me. After a series of expensive vet visits my diagnoses was clear. (MRI diagnosed Nov 2012) I have Cerebellar Hyperplasia or what is called Cerebral Palsy in humans. Affected kittens may not grow as large as unaffected kittens or they may have slower development. The virus affects the cerebellum area of the brain, an area involved in fine motor control. Typical symptoms are ataxia (poor coordination), gait abnormalities and perception. Affected cats are wobbly and uncoordinated (variable degrees from wobbly through to unable to walk) and have characteristic head tremors which are evident when they try to focus on something (e.g. a bird). Many also have sight problems, but it is difficult to assess their sight due to their strange posture and gait. It often looks as though their body goes the opposite of what they are telling it to do, or one part goes in one direction while the other tries to head off elsewhere! They adapt to these challenges, but will always be clumsy and may be nervous or unsure of themselves in new situations. Barring any accidents caused by their uncoordination, their life expectancy doesnt seem to be affected and given a safe environment, they live as long as unaffected cats and seem little troubled by their condition. In humans, the problems would be significant disabilities. CH cats dont worry over their inability to do things in the same way or at the same speed as other cats. Spastic cats can do everything other cats do and are equally independent - they climb fences, play and performs daredevil feats, though they can be alarming to watch, especially as they teeter along a fence. Occasionally they slip, catch hold with their claws and haul themselves back up again; make sure there are soft plants to cushion any fall! Like disabled humans most wont want to be overprotected, but in the same way that disabled facilities are made available to humans, some thought needs to be given to toilet facilities, access to favorite spots etc to ensure their well being. I am a small kitty, weighing in at only 7 pounds. I can wear items that a small chihuahua can wear. Even though I have this ability, I am living a normal kitty life! I dont know that I have this in real life. My life expectancy is that of a normal kitty. Due to my clumsies though, my mommy n daddy have taken precautions to protect me from high places should I fall, which I do a lot. But I always pick myself back up!
Posted on: Sun, 10 Aug 2014 08:29:08 +0000