It’s a common story: Someone encounters a kitten or cat, and it soon becomes very apparent that the feline has trouble walking. Perhaps it wobbles when it walks, maybe it falls over all of the time. One thing is for sure: This cat isn’t normal. So what’s the deal?
If you have the ability to help, my first recommendation is that you take the cat to a vet or a shelter — preferably a no-kill, otherwise they may have to put him down upon admittance. Only a veterinarian will be able to properly diagnose what’s going on with the cat, and sometimes they may not be able to.
You see, there are many conditions out there that can lead to similar symptoms. Sometimes ear mites can bug a cat’s equilibrium and cause him to wobble when he walks. Perhaps the cat was previously or is injured. Or perhaps it’s something more.
One of those possibilities is a condition called cerebellar hypoplasia. Cerebellar hypoplasia, or CH, is a rare condition some cats are born with that results in wobbly walking.
Here’s the thing: Sometimes folks are quick to believe that their cat has cerebellar hypoplasia. Like with humans, it can be dangerous to diagnose the condition on your own, which could result in a mis-diagnosis. Yes, the condition may sound just like what your cat has, but at the end of the day, you really need to check with your vet.
If your vet isn’t familiar with cerebellar hypoplasia, you can try finding one who is familiar with CH near you.
So here’s the point: I really hope your cat is going to be OK. To truly find out what’s going on with the cat, you need to take him to the vet. While you’re there, you can certainly bring up cerebellar hypoplasia to see if that’s a possibility. That said, I want to prepare you that it may not be CH, and it’s best to work with your doctor to find out what it is, and what you can do to help your cat.
