READER ADVISORY: Extremely cute content ahead.
Disabilities can affect any of us, and no one is immune to the powers of nature— not even cats. Unfortunately, like people, there are stigmas around kitties with certain disorders, and one of them is cerebral hyperplasia.
According to CH Cats, Cerebral hypoplasia (CH) is a condition that occurs when the cerebellum—a part of the brain in charge of fine motor skills and coordination— has not matured by the time the cat is born.
The condition occurs in the womb and is generally the result of the mother cat catching the Panleukopenia virus while pregnant, or from in utero trauma, such as malnutrition.
To the uninitiated, the symptoms of CH can seem both adorable and a bit scary.
Life with CH Cats explains, “CH cats are known for their ‘drunken sailor’ walk, which is why they’re known endearingly as ‘wobbly cats’ […] While some cats may only have a slightly impacted gait, others may have significant trouble getting around, if they’re able to walk at all.”
Sadly, cats with cerebral hypoplasia are often euthanized.
CH Cats explains, “People misunderstand the condition as being painful and/or contagious.” Additionally, “many veterinary and rescue professionals are still unaware of cerebral hyperplasia, [and] many CH cats are needlessly euthanized before being given a chance at proper diagnosis and life.”
Helix, an adorable kitty from Austin, Texas, is a CH cat; and thanks to a loving, furever family he has gained a brand-new lease on life— not to mention a large social media following!
Helix was given up as a kitten because of his cerebral hyperplasia; fortunately, he has since found a loving family to give him a helping hand— and to them, he is a powerful inspiration!
Helix’s Instagram page, helix.cat, chronicles Helix’s adventures alongside his furever family. The videos are heartwarming, showing the adorable, wobbly feline running around, playing curtain tag, and enjoying yummy treats!
His family writes, “No need to feel sorry for this goofball […] This is all he’s ever known in his healthy 4 years… and he’s happy, playful and SPOILED ROTTEN.”
Helix’s wobbly gait, rambunctious personality, and palpable happiness have made the CH kitty a veritable phenomenon, even being featured on The Dodo!
The coverage has managed to educate the masses about CH, luring other CH kitty owners out of the woodworks, too!
Helix will always have cerebral hyperplasia— but with his loving family and a bundle of support, this wobbly kitty is going to be juuuust fine.
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