Disorder - Cerebellar degeneration

Organ Systems Involved
Nervous/sensory

Alternative disorders described within LIDA

cerebellar hypoplasia; feline neuroaxonal dystrophy; inherited lysosomal storage diseases (GM2 gangliosidosis); neuronal ceroid-lipofuscin storage disease; mannasoidosis; olivopontocerebellar atrophy

Alternative Names
Cerebellar abiotrophy, cerebella cortical atrophy, cerebellar cortical abiotrophy, cortical degeneration

Presenting Signs

Affected cats usually appear normal at birth and develop neurological signs within the first 7-8 weeks of life. The condition becomes progressively worse, but not fatal, between 1 and 2.5 months of age. It is rare for the condition to start in adult cats. Neurological signs are severe, and progress for some weeks before stabilising as the cats grow. This disorder mainly destroys a layer of cells in the brain known as the Purkinje cells. These cells are found in an area of the brain known as the cerebellum. The cerebellum coordinates the movement of the muscles. Disease of the cerebellum therefore results in wobbly uncoordinated movements of all four limbs and the head. The damaged cerebellum cannot correctly process information about the position of the limbs. Affected cats have a wide based stance, lose their balance, and have ataxia (uncoordinated muscular action), hypermetria (exaggerated reaching of limbs), intention tremor (trembling just before making a movement) and a swaying body. They also have problems judging distances, and responding to threats. These cats may tilt their head to one side; otherwise they are often alert and friendly. The neurological signs disappear during sleep.

Cats at Risk

Domestic Short Hair kittens 7-9 weeks old

Treatment

Medical

PubMed References
Cerebellar degeneration

Contributor
Naomi Singleton