Cerebellar hypoplasia (video of Amy)

[critters]

It shouldn't be CH newly appearing in a 7 YO. That doesn't mean, however, that something else can't be causing CH-like signs. I'd just keep an eye out in case of further changes.

[Medusa]

My Creamsicle has vestibular hyoplasia which means that the CH also caused deafness. She had all the symptoms of CH and they were so severe that, in the beginning, I feared that her only relief would be to have her PTS. She couldn't stand or eat on her own because her head swung violently back and forth like a pendulum. When she finally could walk, she could only walk in circles. She improved greatly over time, though, and now only falls when she gets too excited. So don't lose hope. My Siamese, Coco Puff, has a slight case of CH and it didn't reveal itself for at least 3 months after he was born, if I remember correctly. I came home from work one day and found him sitting on my kitchen counter top, staring into space and I couldn't get him to snap out of it. He had that slight tremor in his head that you mentioned. After being examined by the vet, it was determined that he, too, is a CH kitty. Now, though, you'd never know it. He hasn't had an episode since and he's so strong! This may be the only symptom that your kitty ever has, although, obviously, I can't say that for sure. My vet, who has since retired, told me that the CH had been caused by a herpes virus yet none of the other kittens that I had rescued during the time I rescued both Creamsicle and Coco Puff ever developed CH. So I don't know. I hope this helps you even if just a little.

[critters]

My vet, who has since retired, told me that the CH had been caused by a herpes virus yet none of the other kittens that I had rescued during the time I rescued both Creamsicle and Coco Puff ever developed CH. .

Are you sure he didn't say distemper, AKA panleukopenia?

[Medusa]

Are you sure he didn't say distemper, AKA panleukopenia?

Absolutely positive.

[Laura's Babies]

Sounds like you have some better answers that what I have. I simply don't know the answer to that. The only experience I have is with Amy's condition that SHE has and I am sure every case is different.

But thanks for bringing this thread forward again. It could hepl do further educating to some that have never heard of CH before.

To add to this thread, updating on Amy. After having Nancy (pet psychic) read Amy and finding out she hurt like she had arthritis all over, and at her suggestion, I now have her on Cosequin for arthritis and it has made a noticable differance in how she feels. It has helped her so much! She still trembles, jerks and falls over but I can see in her face and how she gets around that she isn't in as much pain as before.

[Medusa]

To add to this thread, updating on Amy. After having Nancy (pet psychic) read Amy and finding out she hurt like she had arthritis all over, and at her suggestion, I now have her on Cosequin for arthritis and it has made a noticable differance in how she feels. It has helped her so much! She still trembles, jerks and falls over but I can see in her face and how she gets around that she isn't in as much pain as before.

Y'know, this makes sense. Imagine if you were falling down every day; it would stand to reason that you'd be in pain as if you had arthritis. I'm glad Amy is doing better in that way.

[Emeraldgreen]

Thanks for everybody's responses!

My Siamese, Coco Puff, has a slight case of CH and it didn't reveal itself for at least 3 months after he was born, if I remember correctly. I came home from work one day and found him sitting on my kitchen counter top, staring into space and I couldn't get him to snap out of it. He had that slight tremor in his head that you mentioned. After being examined by the vet, it was determined that he, too, is a CH kitty. Now, though, you'd never know it. He hasn't had an episode since and he's so strong! This may be the only symptom that your kitty ever has, although, obviously, I can't say that for sure. My vet, who has since retired, told me that the CH had been caused by a herpes virus yet none of the other kittens that I had rescued during the time I rescued both Creamsicle and Coco Puff ever developed CH. So I don't know. I hope this helps you even if just a little.

That is so interesting! Does Coco Puff have the Herpes virus and does he have outbreaks when stressd?

Your description of Coco Puff reminded me of Paddy. I have also seen his head do this tremor thing, only one time though and very slightly. I've also found him staring in a locked gaze at nothing a couple of times. I've never found Stinky doing this though. I contributed the staring to OCD because of the aggressiveness we were dealing with and his overgrooming. Hallucinating was another symptom on a few websites I checked out. But the tremor thing, I don't know what that would be related to. I have (like so many of us) so much on my plate with serious health concerns with my cats (cancer, asthma, IBD etc..) that when something new presents itself and doesn't happen more than twice, I tend to leave it but continue to watch for it to reappear at which point I'll decide if we need to go to the vet.
Both Stinky and Paddy seem fine otherwise (aside from her Herpes outbreaks and his OCD issues that is!) Paddy was tested for the usual things like FIV before we adopted him but there is no record of herpes, though this may be something he also has.

To add to this thread, updating on Amy. After having Nancy (pet psychic) read Amy and finding out she hurt like she had arthritis all over, and at her suggestion, I now have her on Cosequin for arthritis and it has made a noticable differance in how she feels. It has helped her so much! She still trembles, jerks and falls over but I can see in her face and how she gets around that she isn't in as much pain as before.

I'm so glad that Amy is doing well on the Cosequin. Like Medusa said, it makes sense that her muscles would be sore from falling over. I was also thinking that all that jerkiness must really tax the muscles as well with constant contractions. I wonder if full body massages would help her too? I've often wanted to learn how to do animal massage, targeting certain areas with proper techniques etc.. to give relief to my older dog Muddy. I think there are videos available about massaging pets.

[Medusa]

Thanks for everybody's responses!



That is so interesting! Does Coco Puff have the Herpes virus and does he have outbreaks when stressd?

No, he doesn't have any outbreaks and neither does Creamsicle. My vet showed me how to tell if your cat has brain damage, even if slight. Hold your cat firmly by the hindquarters and allow his/her head and front legs to dangle. If s/he puts his/her legs straight out, no damage. If she wobbles and thrashes and the legs go in every direction, brain damage. (Not a wobble that indicates struggling to get away; a wobble that indicates unsureness.) I can't even do it w/Creamsicle because she's so spastic but I can w/Coco Puff and he does indeed have a slight wobble.