Come in and meet Charlie ***CUTENESS WARNING!

[catfamily]

That's wonderful Laura that they picked you to help teach the world about these special needs cats.I'm so happy that they did because you know so much and I believe can explain it well,so everyone will understand and realize how very special these kittys are.Great job and congrats : )

[jennielynn1970]

Oh my goodness.. what a heartbreaker he is! Gosh... such determination too. I'm so glad that he has someone taking care of him who loves him just the way he is.

Do you think he'll get better with the walking and coordination, or does the CH make that deteriorate over time?

[Laura's Babies]

I forgot to mention that one of the judges came looked at him and said he has Japanese Bobtail in him due to the shape of his head and face and has no tail. Until then they were telling everyone he was Manx.

Yes Carla, I am glad they got me to do it too, since his Mom was telling everybody he has Cerbal Palsey (spelling) and nothing more than that. She can't say cerebella hypoplasia so that is what she tells everyone he has, not even how he came to have it, about his life span or anything! They had asked her to do the interview before I got there and she told them to get someone else to do it and I reckon since I looked like Miss Social Butterfly, the TV crew tagged me to do it.

Jenn, as he grows, just due to weight, I think it will become harder for him, it did for Amy.

[Catty1]

What a DOLL!!!! If he didn't need some exercise - and if I didn't need to go to my job and other silly things - I would hold him like a baby forever! Even better - one of those cloth 'baby huggers' in Preemie size! 'Take your baby to work....'

TOO cute!

[Taz_Zoee]

I learned a lot about CH kitties here on PT, of course. But I can't help but cry everytime I see a video of one of these kitties. I don't think I could have one because I'd be in tears ALL the time. I know they are not hurting, but it just kills me.

Thank you Laura for all you do for these kitties as well as the other causes you help support.

[jennielynn1970]

She can't say cerebella hypoplasia so that is what she tells everyone he has, not even how he came to have it, about his life span or anything!

How did he come to have it? I heard that it was from the mom cats having vaccinations when they are pregnant, and then I heard that it was because the mom cats had Distemper.

What is the life span/expectancy?? I hate to ask this, since Amy has it...

[Laura's Babies]

Cerebellar hypoplasia is a disorder found in cats and dogs in which the cerebellum is not completely mature at birth.

Usually symptoms of cerebellar hypoplasia can be seen immediately at birth in cats, but sometimes can take two months or so to become apparent in dogs. Cerebellar hypoplasia causes jerky movements, tremors and generally uncoordinated motion. The animal often falls down and has trouble walking. Tremors increase when the animal is excited and subside when at ease.

There are several bacterial infections and viral infections such as feline panleukopenia,[1] that can result in the disorder in both cats and dogs. However, the disease can also be caused by malnutrition, poisoning, injury or general accidents during development in the fetus.

The disease does not get better or worse with age, but the cat or dog can usually learn to somewhat compensate for it and should have a normal lifespan. Most afflicted animals can lead a fairly normal life if special considerations for the animal's disability are taken by the pet's owner.

A related condition seen in cats, dogs, horses, cattle, sheep and other animals is cerebellar abiotrophy. The symptoms are similar, and the two conditions are sometimes confused with each other, but cerebellar abiotrophy occurs due to loss of purkinje cells in the cerebellum that occurs after the animal is born. Cerebellar abiotrophy is usually a genetic condition.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cerebel...sia_(non-human)

What is the life span/expectancy?? I hate to ask this, since Amy has it...

They have a normal life span/expectancy. I expect for Amy to be with me for just as long as Giz and Samantha.

I disagree with the part that says they do not get worse. Just think about it, you have trouble walking, holding your balance... You grow and your body gains weight. Amy has finally leveled off but every year around her birthday, she would decline more.. This is the first year she didn't and she turned 4 this year.

[kimlovescats]

Laura, they picked the perfect person to be the spokesperson for CH kitties!!! GREAT JOB!!!

Kim

[Donnaj4962]

Oh my, what a cutie that Charlie is! I think that without his condition, he would be a pistol, running all over the place!

You are the greatest spokesperson there could be for CH.... I have learned so much about it from you and others here on PT.

In fact, I have learned A LOT on PT! :::looking ashamed::: before I discovered this site, I thought it was perfectly fine to have your cats declawed.... but I know different now and I apologize to my girls every day for what their uneducated meowmie did to them when they were little.