What If It’s Not CH? Other Conditions That Can Cause CH-Like Symptoms
If you were asked to describe how cerebellar hypoplasia impacts your cat’s mobility and functions, you’d likely say something along the lines that it causes wobbly walking and head tremors.
Photo courtesy erlin1
But what’s simultaneously fascinating and frustrating about CH is that those two symptoms aren’t unique to CH alone. In fact, other neurological conditions can have similar symptoms.
Earlier this year we looked into two other reasons a cat may wobble. In addition to CH’s cause, which is an underdeveloped cerebellum, we learned that inner ear problems and spinal cord and/or peripheral nerve issues could also result in wobbly walking.
That’s why it’s important that you have your vet examine your cat if you have any concerns or doubts. There are a number of tests they can perform in order to come to the right diagnosis.
In the meantime, thanks to CHCat.org, here’s a list of other neurological conditions can have similar symptoms as the ataxia and tremors found in CH cats. Conditions or illnesses that sometimes look like CH include (but are not limited to):
- Exposure to toxins
- Nutritional deficiency
- Physical trauma
- Inner ear infection
- Ear polyps
- Feline Vestibular Disease
- Infectious diseases (such as Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) and Toxoplasmosis)
- Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)
- Lysosomal Storage Diseases
- Cancer
- Brain lesions
Life with Cerebellar Hypoplasia Cats 
My cat one day started to throw up and have seizures. Now she has the signs of CH. When she got to the vet they found she had high blood sugar and low potassium. Her blood sugar came down on its own, but she still has no motor skills or balance. They are not sure what caused this. We are concerned with how she will be able to function.
cats are born with CH they dont just develope it
Hey I rescue cats and the problem I am having is that one of the kittens I just saved was perfectly fine, but now she is having problems walking, but she is crawling fine. She also doesn’t want to touch her wet food or drink her water. All that my mind keeps telling me is that she going to die. Please help someone,,
my cat is 1 years old and is only now showing signs of this problem since i noticed yesterday she is losing her balance and coordination she is also off her normal food but is eating chicken.
I have a 8 year old cat that has recently start have seizure like activity, she flips and flops . She has had 2 episodes in two days. She does not like to be held but tonight she is clinging to me. I am on social security and I am not able to get the help I need for her. I also have to other cats they have acting weird the last few days. The sister to the one with the seizures is losing her hair and she doesn’t want to be around anyone, she is a very, lovable cat she loves to be held now she does not want to be held. The other cat is younger and she has no hair hardly she it’s like she pulls it out I am afraid and I don’t know what to do. If you can help me in any way that would be great thank you so very much for your attention on this matter.