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Viewer Viewpoint My Cerebellar Hypoplasia Cat, Andy One of my cats, Andy, has CEREBELLAR HYPOPLASIA (CH). CH occurs when a feral, stray or unvaccinated mother has distemper while her kittens are still in her uterus. Damage to the kittens' cerebellum, the part of the brain that is used for coordination and balance, is permanent. Though there is no treatment, CH cats have a normal life expectancy, and can lead happy lives. Like other CH cats, Andy is wobbly and uncoordinated. Andy moves forward in a zig-zag run. Andy's head sometimes tremors when he is attempting to focus on something, and his body often goes in the opposite direction than where he intends to move. I admire Andy's spirit and cheerful personality. Andy adapts very well, even though he is clumsy. Andy will try to get up onto furniture, falls, tries again, falls again, never becoming frustrated. After two failed attempts, I lift Andy to where he desires going. However, Andy always makes it in and out of the litter box. I think that the sides of the litter box offer Andy sitting support. Andy often leans against walls, as it is difficult for him to maintain a sitting position without support for very long. Andy becomes limp, falling to one side, as he fatigues easily. Andy lies on his side most of the time. Andy has a voracious appetite, and is a messy eater. Much of Andy's food ends up on the floor. That's what brooms and vacuum cleaners are for! Though Andy objects, I keep Andy's claws trimmed, so that he doesn't snag his claws on the carpet. Andy already has enough difficulty getting around as it is! Andy is an extremely affectionate cat. Andy loves and trusts people and other animals, even though he was attacked by other cats in the past. While petting Andy, I have found many small scabs, obviously healed puncture wounds from being clawed. That is probably why Andy fears going outdoors. Andy enjoys sitting in my lap, loves being petted, and purrs louder than any cat I have ever encountered. Andy also loves cat toys, and will play with them for a long time while lying on his side. Poor Andy had a rough start. At eight months old, Andy was a stray, all alone in this big world. A family who found Andy in their yard felt sorry for Andy, and phoned the animal welfare officers to pick Andy up, to bring him to our local animal shelter the very first day that I began working there. At the shelter, whenever I would walk by Andy's cage, Andy would wobble up to the front of his cage, loudly purring, and sticking one of his limp paws out. Having worked with people with disabilities for over twenty years, I was extremely touched. A woman and her young child visited Andy, and though they loved his very sweet disposition, did not adopt him. The following day (Christmas Eve), I brought my "Christmas present", who my daughter named Andy, home. After adopting Andy, I learned that Andy also had Toxoplasmosis, which was treated with a high dose of medication over 28 days, and cryptorchid, a condition where his testicles did not descend into his scrotum. Therefore, Andy required a complicated neuter: internal surgery, rather than the quick and simple external surgery that most male cats require. Andy is a happy kitty, and I am blessed indeed to have Andy in my life. Related Reading NOTE: The views and opinions expressed in the Viewer Viewpoint
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