Cerebellar hypoplasia

From Felipedia

Cerebellar hypoplasia (one disease in a cluster of Wobbly kitten syndrome) is a developmental disorder characterized by the incomplete or underdevelopment of the cerebellum. It may be genetic, or occur sporadically. Cerebellar hypoplasia may be caused by thyroid abnormalities, environmental influences such as drugs and chemicals or viral infections, or stroke. In infancy, symptoms may include developmental delay, hypotonia, ataxia, seizures, mental retardation, and involuntary eye movements (nystagmus). Cerebellar hypoplasia may be associated with other disorders including cerebellar cortical abiotrophy, Dandy Walker syndrome, Werdnig-Hoffman syndrome, and Walker-Warburg syndrome.

When a kitten is born with an underdeveloped cerebellum, the condition is known as congenital cerebellar hypoplasia. There are infectious causes of this condition in cats ( Panleucopaenia infection prior to birth). Improper development of the cerebellum may occur due to injury, poisoning or just from an accident in development in the uterus. It is generally possible to see signs of this condition almost as soon as the puppy or kitten is born.

Affected animals have tremors and unusual jerky movements or may fall down when they try to move. The symptoms do not get worse as they age. As the kitten or puppy grows it will learn to compensate for its condition but there are usually lifelong signs of a decreased ability to coordinate movement. Almost all dogs and cats with congenital cerebellar hypoplasia can live happily as pets with a little special care to compensate for their disabilities. This condition can be confused with cerebellar abiotrophy, a different disorder in dogs in which the puppy has a normal cerebellum at birth but it gradually dies. Signs of disease identical to cerebellar hypoplasia occur but the timing is different. 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. Puppies with this condition seem normal at birth but usually start to show signs of problems after they are 2 months or more of age.