Yes, this is real.
My kittens are clearly in this category, what with being adorably wobbly and all. So, today I thought i'd give some greater detail about what makes my feline friends so unusual and yet awesome.
Feline Parvovirus -- This is what most commonly causes Cerebellar Hypoplasia in cats. It is the term most often used to refer to all viruses in the Parvoviridae taxonomic family, but it is also the taxonomic name of the Parvovirus genus within the Parvoviridae family itself.
Interestingly, these viruses have developed to be specific to the species it will infect. For example, canine parvovirus will only in rare cases infect a cat, but will readily infect coyotes, wolves, and domestic dogs.
If a pregnant female contracts the virus then the cerebellum of the kittens in utero can under-develop (no word yet on what happens if a pregnant male contracts the virus). The cerebellum, of course, is known as the "motor control centre" of the brain, and thus the kittens are born with issues in the area of coordination. i.e. They are wobbly.
Other symptoms in the condition can include spastic jerking, intention tremors (the muscles vibrate in anticipation as the animal prepares, for example, to leap), wide splayed legs both in movement and at rest (for balance), and a general lack of motor control or coordination. They may lose their balance unexpectedly, walk into walls, bump their heads, etc.
Ronan has a more extreme version of cerebellar hypoplasia than Pandora. He tends to walk sideways into objects and has been known to fall spectacularly to one side when he is trying to leap on something in front of him. He also has a very noticeable head wobble (yes, exactly like a kitten bobblehead) that increases in activity when he is nervous or excited, and almost disappears when he is calm.
Pandora is smaller and less ballsier than Ronan, so it seems only fair that her condition is less pronounced. She walks with a swagger, kicking her hindlegs out to the side as she goes, and frequently will tip over backwards when enjoying a head scratch or chest rub. Ronan is more excitable and is usually the dominant cat during wrestle-time, so the playing field is leveled a bit with Pandora being more agile. She has developed a wicked judo flip she uses time and again on her brother.
They can leap up onto higher surfaces - like the bed or couch - without much struggle. Sometimes the claws come out so they can wrangle themselves up without tipping over backwards and having to start all over again. My bedsheets will never be the same, but then again neither will my life. As for getting back down to the floor, they have figured out that the easiest way to do so is to bellyslide. Front paws extend over the edge along with their front legs, then they noodle their way down to the floor.
Both have adapted well to their personal limitations, and I have been told they will continue to improve in both balance and coordination as they grow older, although the condition will be with them for the rest of their lives. I am always amazed at how quick they are to pick themselves up, dust themselves off and dive headlong back in the fray of life.
PS: April 28th was World Veterinary Day! I hope you all took time to hug your Vet. I know I did :)
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