BOSTON: Cerebellar Hypoplasia kittens need homes
From the MSPCA's web site (on a page about Nubbins, a kitten with no back feet who just got adopted) - http://www.mspca.org/about-us/press-...or-kitten.html :
"The MSPCA is currently caring for several animals with impairments including a litter of kittens showing signs of Cerebellar Hypoplasia – a neurologic disorder caused by an infection of Panleukopenia in the pregnant mother (this causes the kittens to be born with underdeveloped cerebella, the part of the brain that controls balance and fine motor movement). The kittens will be further evaluated, diagnosed and have been placed in foster care to learn how to walk."
In other words, they have trouble walking and balancing. But they adapt quite well (after all, they don't know there is any other way to get around). A CH cat should have a controlled environment to some extent; shouldn't have access to stairs because of the balance difficulty.. best with carpeted floors, depending on how severe the mobility trouble is.
This is a neurological condition they are born with; otherwise they are as healthy or not as any other cat and don't require any more vet care than any other cat would.
Do any of you know of anyone who might be able and willing to adopt one or more of these guys? I e-mailed a friend there to see if we could find out how many there are, how old they are, and how disabled they are.
I have two Cerebellar Hypoplasia boys myself: Elmer (from our Mosaic shelter here) and Bob (from Grand Rapids, whom I learned about from the same rescuers from whom I learned about Nubbins).
My CH boy Elmer is long and thin and tubular and has very long legs on which he gets around like he's on stilts. In motion, he looks like a little fawn or colt.. or a short-necked giraffe! My other CHer Bob is built like an ordinary cat and has a harder time getting around.. as he walks, his middle and rear end sort of sway, and he falls over onto his side often. He then gets himself up and carries on.
They both do just fine and are very happy cats! My apartment, only two rooms, is on one floor and has wall-to-wall carpet (except for kitchenette and bathroom).
Thank you very much, and much love,
Pat
Elmer being adorable: http://petoftheday.com/talk/picture....&pictureid=941
Bob being adorable: http://petoftheday.com/talk/picture....pictureid=1964
