Biker has had many miracles in his life already. He was born on a farm and his life expectancy was very low anyways but he also had a disability called Cerebellar Hypoplasia. One day a friend of the farmer stopped by and saw him, a little kitten, earnestly making his …
Biker has had many miracles in his life already. He was born on a farm and his life expectancy was very low anyways but he also had a disability called Cerebellar Hypoplasia. One day a friend of the farmer stopped by and saw him, a little kitten, earnestly making his wobbley way through the path. The man, who was riding his motorcycle, tucked the kitten in his jacket and took him home. Tragically, a week later, the kind hearted man lost his life in a bike accident and the kitty made his way to Catsnap. He was named Biker in honor of the young man who saved him.
Biker uses throw rugs here for mobility as tile is hard for him to walk on . He makes his way on the cat tree that is about 4 feet high. He chases toys and lights and loves the wand toys. He has a neat way of clearing room at the food bowl by letting his wobbles make room for him. He likes being held and very good with grooming. He does have mistakes sometimes on his litter pan. He is very
apologetic
and tries to give love and appreciation when this happens. Sometimes I put puppy pads around his box in case he bounces out. He is a very good eater and can finish his canned food by persistence alone. He is a testament to living life, in spite of afflictions, and he wants to live and enjoy life. A long life!
What it is: Cerebellar hypoplasia is a congenital (present from birth) condition where the cerebellum, the part of the brain responsible for coordination, balance, and fine motor skills, is underdeveloped or damaged.
Cause: The most common cause is the mother cat being infected with the feline panleukopenia virus (also known as feline distemper) during pregnancy or the kitten being infected in the first few weeks after birth, when the cerebellum is still developing.Symptoms: Signs usually appear when the kitten starts trying to walk (around 2-3 weeks of age) and can range from mild to severe:
Ataxia (lack of coordination): A characteristic wobbly, drunken, or exaggerated "goose-stepping" gait.
Intention Tremors: Head bobbing or trembling that worsens when the cat tries to focus on an object, like food or a toy.Wide-based stance: Standing or walking with legs spread far apart to maintain balance. Swaying and stumbling.
Prognosis: Non-progressive: The condition does not worsen over time, and the damage to the cerebellum is permanent.
Adaptation: Cats with CH are not in pain and often learn to adapt to their disability, sometimes improving their mobility over time as they compensate.Life Expectancy: They can lead long, happy, and otherwise healthy lives, often with a normal life expectancy.Care: They need to be kept as indoor cats for safety, and their environment may need adjustments (like non-slip rugs, easy-access food/water bowls, and lower litter boxes).
Thank you for your interest in a CATsNAP cat or kitten!
If you would like to meet a cat, please complete the online application located on our website catsnap.org.
We do not have a walk-in facility; most of our cats are in foster homes. For this reason, we require an approved application on file before we set up a meet and greet.
Completing an online application does not obligate you to adopt! We care deeply about our cats and want the best match for all involved.
All CATsNAP cats and kittens are:
Vaccination against Panleukopenia (Distemper), Rhinotracheitis, and Calicivirus
Vaccination against Rabies (if animal is over 4 months of age)
Testing for Feline Leukemia (FeLV) and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)
Initial de-worming, flea, and ear mite treatment
Sterilization of the animal prior to adoption; no exceptions
Micro-chipping as mandated by state law
