Last September, we took in two female cats—sisters—from E. Syracuse. Not only were they pregnant. but were very close to giving birth. The first, a black cat named Grace, gave birth to just one kitten, a little tortie named Inkling. Her sister, named Egypt, gave birth to four kittens: two little orange boys named Pharaoh and Cairo, and two little tortoiseshell girls, Alexandria and Sahara. The kittens were nursing well and developing normally, but on the twelfth day, little Sahara passed away. That happens sometimes with very little ones, even if they have their mother to care for them.
We were just grateful that the other three were fat and healthy . The following week, they were beginning to stand up on their little legs and walk, but we noticed that little Alexandria’s head shook when she tried to walk, and she and her brothers all stumbled when they moved. They could eat by themselves, but did it with a pecking motion, often falling into each other’s dishes. I found that I could use my hands to steady them, and they soon learned to lean against things to steady themselves.
Our vet diagnosed them with cerebellar hypoplasia, which affects the development of the cerebellum We made a special trip to a veterinary neurologist, just to get a second opinion. We were grasping at straws, I suppose, hoping that there was something that would help. But we learned that the damage was done, and the problem, itself, would remain, but as they got bigger and stronger, they would also learn to cope and lead normal—if wobbly—lives. Dr. Dewey, their Neurologist, took video of them, and put it on his Website: www.Elementalpetvets.com. Click on the link below to see the video on Facebook, and to read about them.
https://www.facebook.com/Dr.curtisdewey/videos/486832962837469
