Cerebellar ataxia in cats: causes, symptoms, treatment, recovery period and advice from veterinarians

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

If a little kitten staggers when walking and falls, it always alarms the owner. The situation seems especially strange when there are no other he alth problems in the pet at the same time. The kitten has a good appetite, he is mobile and active, does not make a plaintive meow. But he is not able to walk normally, as a rule, from his very first steps. This may be a manifestation of cerebellar ataxia in cats. This pathology does not affect the general state of he alth. Poor coordination of movements is the only manifestation of it.

Why does the kitten walk badly

Cerebellar ataxia in cats is a congenital pathology. It manifests itself at an early age, when kittens begin to take their first independent steps.

Ataxia is a disorder of coordination of movements. This deviation may have various origins. In thiscase, the cause of the pathology is the underdevelopment of the cerebellum. This organ is responsible for the sense of the position of the body in space and the coherence of movements.

In sick kittens, cerebellar damage occurs even during fetal development due to various adverse effects on the mother's body during pregnancy. Various factors can contribute to the birth of a sick kitten. Most often, cerebellar ataxia in pups occurs if a pregnant cat has had panleukopenia (distemper). Parvovirus causes damage to the cerebellum, resulting in organ hypoplasia.

Ataxia in kittens usually develops if the mother becomes ill with distemper in the later stages. Infection with panleukopenia early in pregnancy usually results in fetal death. If the infection occurred closer to childbirth, then both dead kittens and cubs with cerebellar hypoplasia can be born.

Other harmful effects on the mother's body can lead to congenital ataxia in a kitten:

• bacterial infectious diseases;
• poisoning with food or poisons;
• worm infestation;
• bad food.

There is also a hereditary form of ataxia in cats. However, this pathology is rare.

Signs of pathology

The disease first manifests itself in childhood, when the kitten begins to move actively. The kid walks, staggering a lot (“drunk gait”), often falls and spreads his legs wide when moving. This is the leading symptom of pathology. In addition, the kitten's head trembles, especially when he tries tofocus on a toy or some other object.

Veterinarians identify several degrees of cerebellar ataxia in cats:

1. Easy. The kitten has slight gait disturbances, periodically the baby falls. But in general, the animal moves without any problems.
2. Average. The movement of the pet is very difficult, there are frequent falls. But the animal is still able to walk.
3. Heavy. The animal cannot move at all.

At the same time, no other changes in the state of he alth are observed in pets. This disease is not accompanied by pain. Cats with ataxia are eating normally and are not feeling unwell.

Kitten with ataxia is developing normally. Damage to the cerebellum does not affect the mental abilities of the pet. The disease also does not affect life expectancy. A cat with ataxia can live to a ripe old age.

This disease is not progressive. On the contrary, with age, the movements of the animal become more coordinated. If, over time, the cat's gait worsens, then this is most likely due to other pathologies, and not to cerebellar ataxia.

Characteristics of sick cats

Sometimes on the Web you can find ads about the placement of kittens with cerebellar ataxia in good hands. And many owners willingly accept such animals into their homes. Why do people seek to acquire a sick kitten?

Previously, these cubs were most often euthanized. After all, the treatment of cerebellar ataxia in cats beforehas not yet been developed. However, these animals are increasingly finding loving homes these days.

Cats with ataxia are not aware of their illness. They do not experience any discomfort. These animals only need increased attention and care. With the help of the owner, sick cats can lead a normal life, especially with mild to moderate pathology.

Cats with congenital cerebellar hypoplasia are kind and affectionate. They are strongly attached to their master, as they largely depend on human help. The popularity of these animals is due to their kind and friendly nature.

In the video below, two kittens with cerebellar ataxia can be seen playing. The disease does not prevent them from being mobile and active.

Diagnosis

An experienced veterinarian can detect the disease already when examining a kitten. A characteristic sign of this pathology is the onset of problems with coordination of movements at an early age.

However, ataxia may have another origin. This symptom can be observed with injuries, infections and tumors. Therefore, the veterinarian will take the history and may ask the owner the following questions:

1. Have there been cases of falling or traumatizing a kitten?
2. Has the cat been poisoned?
3. What infections did the cub have?
4. Are there any he alth problems other than poor motor coordination?

To make an accurate diagnosis of a kitten will helpMRI examination. With the help of such a diagnosis, it is possible to establish underdevelopment of the cerebellum.

Treatment

How to treat ataxia in cats? If the pathology is associated with congenital underdevelopment of the cerebellum, then effective methods of therapy have not been developed at present. A sick kitten will never be able to move as confidently as he althy animals. However, for most owners it is very difficult to come to terms with this situation. How to help the baby?

Treatment of ataxia in cats at home can only consist in the development of movements through games. This will be a kind of exercise therapy for the pet.

How to play with a kitten

For the development of coordination of movements, it is useful to arrange games with "prey" in the form of a toy mouse or other object suspended on a fishing rod with a rope. It must be moved along the floor or slightly raised above the surface. No need to force the pet to reach for the toy, such a kitten does not hold well on its hind legs. Also, do not force the pet to jump, otherwise it may end in a fall.

But throwing movements work well for kittens with ataxia. An animal can ambush a toy. In this case, the kitten usually rolls over onto its back and grabs the prey with its paws. It is very useful to develop such movements in a cat.

We must not forget about games for the development of fine motor skills. These days, special puzzles for cats with balls and toys hidden inside, as well as mazes, are on sale. Such toys are very useful for animals withataxia, as they help to develop the accuracy of small movements.

All educational games must be supervised by the owner. After all, cats with ataxia fall very often.

How to make your home pet-safe

Since there is no effective treatment for cerebellar ataxia, it is very important to protect your pet from falling injuries as much as possible. After all, a violation of coordination will accompany the animal throughout its life. To prevent the kitten from getting hurt, you must follow the following rules:

1. It is very important that the floor is not slippery, otherwise the animal's paws will be greatly dispersed. Wooden floor coverings should be smooth so that the pet does not get a splinter. The ideal surface is carpet. On it the cat will be comfortable to move around. You can also lay rugs on the floor.
2. It is necessary to remove from the floor all large extra objects that the cat may stumble upon when moving.
3. Many cats love to climb on bedspreads and curtains. Such vertical surfaces must be securely fastened. You need to pay attention to the length of the pet's claws. After all, with their help, the animal clings to the fabric. You can not cut the claws too short, otherwise the pet will not be able to hold on to them. At the same time, the claws should not be allowed to curl and get stuck in the fabric.
4. Feeding cats with ataxia should be supervised by the owner. An animal with a movement disorder often splashes water and scatters food. Therefore, bowls should be placed in such a way thatthe feeding area was easy to clean. After eating, you need to wipe the paws and muzzle of the animal.

It is important to remember that with ataxia, cats are categorically contraindicated for independent walks. Such animals can get hit by a car, they cannot protect themselves from aggressive relatives and run away from dogs. However, pets with ataxia usually love movement. They can be walked, but only on a harness.

Veterinary Prevention Tips

How to prevent cerebellar ataxia in cats? It is necessary to protect a pregnant pet from any harmful effects. It is necessary to adhere to the following recommendations of specialists in keeping a cat in an "interesting position":

1. Don't let your pet out for walks.
2. Coming home, the owner should immediately change shoes and wash their hands thoroughly. It is not uncommon for people to bring the distemper virus on the soles of their shoes.
3. It is necessary to exclude the contact of a cat with infected animals.
4. Before mating, it is necessary to pass an analysis for parvovirus and deworm the animal.
5. A pregnant cat needs good nutrition.
6. It is necessary to monitor the quality of food and protect the animal from poisoning.

Compliance with these rules will significantly reduce the risk of having a kitten with ataxia.