Any time you welcome a pet into your home you’ll want to make sure that you bring it into a safe environment. If that pet is a cat with cerebellar hypoplasia, you’ll need to take additional factors into account. Fortunately, that’s what we’re all about at this blog.
Photo courtesy kcxd
First and foremost, make sure your foster pets have their own space, separate from your pets. This is essential, especially at the beginning, because they’ll each need their own safe domain. Similarly, your foster cat may have behavioral issues or some sort of medical problem like worms or parasites, which you won’t want your pets to catch.
While bedrooms may seem like the most comfortable option, you may want to think again. Scared cats can hide under the bed and may be difficult to get out. Some even climb into box springs and mattresses.
In addition, you’ll want to make sure that the room is easy to clean. Carpet, while cozy, can be hard to clean and disinfect between rounds of fosters.
Instead, consider a room with tile, hardwood or other similar surfaces for your foster cat. Purchase a few rag rags to cover the floor — they’re super easy to throw into the wash when needed.
So, if you’re ready to bring a foster CH cat into your home, here are some resources to help:
How to prepare your home
In addition to kitten-proofing your home (removing electrical cords, blinds cords, etc), you may also want to consider making the following changes:
- Place floor coverings in these six helpful places
- Pad sharp-cornered furniture with rolled up towels (plus other safety tips)
- Can your foster cat manage stairs? If it’s a concern, check out these five ways to stop your CH cat from trying stairs
- If your CH cat has trouble jumping, consider making a homemade ramp or steps
Like this:
Chase, the Special Boy Without a Cerebellum
In an attempt to learn more about cerebellar hypoplasia, sometimes I feel I have to expand past the feline realm. I think it helps to understand how the brain works as a whole and how an underdeveloped cerebellum impacts other species — like dogs, lambs, and yes, even little boys.
While technically doctors say Chase has cerebellar hypoplasia, his situation is a bit more complicated than that. Chase doesn’t have a cerebellum at all.
But that doesn’t seem to stop him, even though science and doctors believe it should.
Chase was born prematurely and legally blind. When he turned one, an MRI revealed that he was missing his cerebellum.
In addition to missing his cerebellum, the part of the brain that controls motor skills, balance, and emotion, Chase also doesn’t have a pons. The pons is part of the brain stem; it controls basic functions like breathing and sleeping.
These factors have turned Chase into a medical mystery and miracle.
What’s especially odd about Chase’s situation is that he did have a cerebellum while his mother was pregnant. There are no signs of any brain damage, so doctors can only wonder what happened to it.
Granted, some argue that this isn’t a complete mystery since they say the cerebellum is not required for basic function, rather it coordinates movement so it results in smooth motions.
Science aside, Chase continues on as a happy little kid. Now three, he’s learned to sit up on his own, to crawl, to push himself upright and more. Today he’s also walking, riding a bike, even holding a pencil and using scissors.
At home, Chase has a “sensory room” — filled with lights, sounds and tactile things that motivate him visually and stimulate him as much as possible.
What’s truly touching is his family’s reaction to his condition. They seem to have a “don’t give up on him” attitude, and they understand that sometimes doctors aren’t always right.
“Don’t believe everything the doctors say,” Chase’s mom said. “Don’t get me wrong. I love doctors. But they can be wrong. … Chase is extremely healthy. And he’s extremely smart — his motor skills just haven’t caught up.”
The best part?
“Chase was meant to be with us.”
I think we can all understand how she feels.
Like this:
The other day Misty came to me with a concern. I feel like several of you have experienced similar situations before, so I wanted to share her story in hopes that we can all offer advice, thoughts, stories and, perhaps, solutions.
Photo courtesy drymate.com
From Misty:
“Winnie is a little over a year old, has a mild case of CH and has no problem getting in and out of any type of litter box. We have a multiple cat household so we have 2 litter boxes and one litter robot for a total of 3. One is located upstairs and the other two are downstairs right next to each other. We’ve seen her use all of them. The problem is that sometimes she doesn’t.
She’ll go behind the litter box on the floor, or at times in front. It’s not a constant problem, but it’s been happening more and more and we don’t know how to correct the behavior. The boxes are always cleaned out and in a few cases were completely void of urine or feces. Sometimes she’ll go into the litter box, then come out and go behind it on the floor. Is there something we can do or some product we can use to discourage her from doing this?”
When a cat goes to the bathroom outside of the litter box, even if just an accident, it can be a frustrating situation to deal with — especially if there isn’t an obvious solution. And if not corrected, this can become a regular habit.
While Winnie’s behavior is still a mystery (perhaps someone can shine some light on it!), here are some things to consider if your cat is peeing outside of the box:
Meet Oatie
When the vet first met Oatie, he thought it would be best to put the kitten to sleep.
But Kathy knew that wasn’t the right choice. Today, Oatie, a deaf CH Manx, is now 14-years-old, and Kathy says few people even notice that there’s anything different about him.
How severe is his CH?
His CH is less severe than it was as a kitten, when the vet recommended he be put down because he felt he would never function. I’d say he went from severe as a kitten to mild as an adult.
How did you adopt Oatie? What is his story?
I met him at our shelter when I began volunteering there. He was a stray kitten in very sad shape. He was adopted out to a questionable adopter by the lady who ran the shelter. Several of us had grave concerns because the woman adopter had a lot of animals already, and we felt he was going from one shelter to another, but we had NO say in the matter.
One year later he came back sick and with his ears plugged with ear mites. I begged my husband to allow me to bring this sweet “floor” cat home as he could not get up onto the bed and was bound to the dirty floor where all the litter boxes were. Once I had him home it was apparent that the severe ear mites had damaged his ear drums to the point he was totally deaf. I then decided he was never leaving my home as I never wanted him to be adopted to a bad home again.
What is he able to do? What are his limitations?
He can do most anything! His hearing is his handicap. He is a messy eater, he gets confused when startled, and he does not like to be picked up — but he LOVES to snooze on your lap.
Do you have any funny stories about him (related to CH)? Or perhaps a story about how he figured out how to do something CH cats “can’t” do?
I sure DO! We obtained an 8 ft Angelica cat tree. When it was unloaded in my living room, my most agile Orientals Shorthairs could not figure out HOW to get to the top — they ran across the room jumping and hanging on the branches and then would let go and fall to the floor. Read more…
Like this:
Cerebellar Hypoplasia Cats Should Not Be Euthanized
The other morning I woke up to this announcement:
Cuddles
“Brighton Michigan!!!! Another Cerebellar Hypoplasia Kitten where the vet thinks it should be put down!!!”
The plea was for a precious CH kitten named Cuddles. After her guardian, who was looking for a home for Cuddles, took her to the vet, the vet said that “usually they just put them down.”
That’s the type of thinking that we need to change among shelters, vets and the public. Unfortunately, I don’t think that reaction is entirely uncommon. It certainly wasn’t several years ago, when very few people knew about the condition and most CH cats were euthanized.
Back then, and even today, when most people see a CH cat for the first time, they immediately think that it’s sick or injured. They don’t know enough to realize that the cat is neither, and the condition shouldn’t be a death sentence.
Consequently, dozens, if not hundreds, of people have worked to spread the word about cerebellar hypoplasia cats. Yes, they have special needs. No, they should not face death because of those differences. They make wonderful pets. They should not be euthanized.
Now, I’m not trying to be heartless.
I understand that some vets have limited (if any) knowledge about cerebellar hypoplasia. If they see a CH cat, they may worry about its quality of life or if it has other health issues.
Photo courtesy sj_sanders
(Granted, if cerebellar hypoplasia is one of many complications the kitten has, that’s another story. At that point, I would say the cat’s quality of life would have to be measured along with the efforts (and cost of those efforts) to save the cat.)
Plus, many shelters simply don’t have the capacity to take on special needs kittens, whether at the shelter itself or in a foster home. Even then it’s a risk to take them in — special needs cats are considered less adoptable.
But that’s no reason to end a cerebellar hypoplasia cat’s life. There are options. There always are.
Reach out to other shelters — do they know anything about this condition? Do they have the resources to help these kittens? Do research — today there are several blogs and online communities you can connect with. Are there organizations out there trying to inform people and help?
I realized these can be big steps to take for a little cat. Some may wonder, is it worth it?
Yes.
Here are just 10 of many reasons why someone should consider adopting a CH cat. Need more proof? Just read the stories of these 25+ readers (more coming!) who have adopted CH cats.
Ellie and CG
Need even MORE proof? This blog — it’s a testament to these special cats. My life’s an example of how these cats can change us in amazing ways, and I’m not the only one. Just take a look at Lizzie, founder of the CH Kitty Club Yahoo Group and CH Kitty Club website; Deb, who has devoted her life to helping CH cats find homes; Elise who has helped with all of these endeavors and created these wonderful education materials – and so many more.
There has to be some reason why we’re so devoted to these special cats. And I think it’s clear: They’re worth it.
So the next time you hear that a healthy cerebellar hypoplasia kitten may be put to sleep, please be a voice for the voiceless and explain why these cats make some of the best pets.
Want to learn more about these special cats and their condition? Start here.
Like this:
How to Cat-Proof Your Home
If you’ve decided you’re bringing home your first cat, congratulations! It can be one of the most wonderful and rewarding experiences.
Photo courtesy TimOve
No matter if you’re a forever home or a foster home, you’ll need to take some precautions to make sure that your home is safe for your pet. Cats and kittens can be very curious, and, depending on their abilities, can jump to, climb on, and squeeze into some of the strangest places.
While foster cats may be contained to one room, it may still be a good idea to pet-proof your entire home, just in case.
Think like a cat
Take a moment and crouch down to a cat’s level. Look around for things that may be in reach, or may intrigue the cat or kitten such as:
- Small and dangerous objects like paper clips, nails, staples, thread, pins/needles, rubber bands, tacks — basically anything that has fallen on the floor that shouldn’t be there.
- Intriguing things like plants, electrical cords, drapes, the pulls/cords on blinds, other cords.
- Also consider if there are any objects (furniture/decorations) that could fall over if knocked-into, or if something could fall of the furniture.
- Don’t forget to check your window screens — they should fit securely and should not give way in case your cat leans against them.
Like this:
Photo courtesy Shana Lee
After facing our own tummy troubles with Ellie and hearing from a number of readers, I couldn’t help but wonder if cerebellar hypoplasia cats are more prone to digestive/GI tract issues than “normal” cats.
To be honest, I wouldn’t be surprised if this were the case due to a few factors:
- The severity of the cat’s CH: Perhaps the constant falls, tumbles and flops contribute to issues.
- How much water the cat drinks: The amount of water a cat ingests — from either the water bowl or from wet cat food — may contribute to stool issues.
- How the cat goes to the bathroom: CH cats who go to the bathroom on their side may have more issues than those who can squat.
- How much the cat exercises: A cat with a sedentary lifestyle may have more issues than one who runs around; again this could be tied to the CH severity.
So I wanted to reach out to the CH cat community to see what your experiences have been like. Read more…
