Special little boy

[Desley (booktigger)]

Have got some pics, it is just getting them onto the PC!! he is with Kelly now, so if she spots this thread, she might put some on too.

[Millys Mum]

CC, have you ever noticed minimopsicals poses?

Pictures needed Des, he sounds adorable 

[Desley (booktigger)]

Bless him - vet has said he needs supervised outdoor access, I Couldn't have given him that either.

[Jeannette]

Sam had the same condition and lived to the ripe old age of 16. 

When he ran it was like watching a dressage horse and his head would shake if he tried to get through a narrow space.  When he jumped up onto the settee he would jump high but not long, however he always made it.

I had him from a 4 week old kitten and he was an absolute joy.

He was always allowed outdoors & as he lived so long without incident, it didn't do my boy any harm 

Sadly his brother (who I fostered) had a more severe case of the condition and had to be PTS at a couple of months old.  Their other sibling died naturally soon after birth.

Good luck to this little one.

[Desley (booktigger)]

T says it is Pan Leuk that causes it, vet said Calici virus, so one of the two!! He has co-ordination issues, and the best description is he walks like he is drunk all the time!! he lifts his paws up quite a lot to walk, and to do anything, and he tried to jump on my knee earlier and was way out of guessing the distance. He doesn't eat normally either, the best description is like a hen pecking. The condition wont get worse, but as he gets bigger and heavier I dont know how he will be, he picks himself up incredibly well at the moment, and can use a tray etc. He is going to stay with Kelly long term, but I dont know if he would have been unhomeable, you do get special people that are willing to work with cats.

[ccmacey]

So how does this CH affect a cat? With the mobility etc? I have never had dealings with a cat that has been disabled, are they born with the condition or does something in labour cause it?

Poor little baby, will he always be in a foster home?

[Desley (booktigger)]

Sorry, was being lazy and wasn't sure of the spelling!! Kelly is picking him up this morning - he has been wonderful to watch, but have never seen so much mess from such a tiny kitten, I thought Shadow made a lot of mess, but he is worse!! Kizzy sneaked into the bathroom behind me and batted him, which surprised me as she has had kittens, she obviously doesn't have any maternal instincts left whatsoever, and i took him downstairs in teh carrier (had popped him in there to hoover, in case he fell down the stairs, can't block my upstairs off), and when he came out, Lucy ran like the wind at the sight of him, bless her!! Tiger just sat and looked with a bit of disdain at him!! I do have so much more respect for people who can do it, I know I couldn't (and part of that is the set up of the house, my stairs would be too dangerous, as they have no backs on them, adults are fine on them obviously). It is sad that so many of them are pts a year, but it does take a special kind of person to do it I think, and sadly, I think I shall stick to my oldies!!
And I second Teresa Karen, you did a wonderful job and gave her the best chance possible, she was a lucky cat to have found you.

[Teresa Pawcats]

Was talking to Desley earlier about this little one. Taking on a disabled cat can have wonderful rewards but its something that needs a great deal of careful thought about the present and long term committment. Given the choice I would love to concentrate my efforts on C. H. cats as so many end up needlessly being PTS each year which is heartbreaking.

Just to add Karen you coped wonderfully with Jasmine and I have the utmost respect for you; you made the best decision for Jasmine 

[karenjet]

I've got a lot of respect for people that can do it, too. I watched Jasmine for the five days that I had her home and it was heartbreaking.

[Teresa Pawcats]

Cerebral Hypoplasia

[Susanne (urbantigers)]

Cerbral hypothingy?  Like Minimopsical?  Just a guess.

He sounds adorable - pics are a must

[Sam (Fussy_Furball)]

Sorry Des I'm being a bit dim ... whats CH?

[Desley (booktigger)]

We have a kitten in with CH, and while we are having works done, I am looking after him until he can go to Kelly on Saturday. My last experience with a disabled cat was quite heartbreaking, she seemed to really be struggling with things, but he is so different, it is wonderful to watch the way he approaches things and even when he doesn't quite make what he wants, the way he gets back up and does it again is wonderful to watch!! I have a lot more respect for people who care for these kitties, I dont think I could do it - he creates more mess than the other 5 put together, bless him!! Will try and get some pics up later - he was even enjoying the catspa last night, despite only being 11 weeks old.