What Is Cerebellar Ataxia in Cats? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis & Living With a Wobbly Cat

Cerebellar ataxia causes coordination problems and wobbling in cats due to problems in the cerebellum. This is the region of the brain that controls movement, so it can look quite concerning when you see its effects on your pet.

Ataxia is a symptom of neurological dysfunction - it isn’t a disease. A cat with this condition may appear wobbly, unsteady or clumsy when wal;king. Nevertheless, many cats with cerebellar ataxia live full and happy lives.

In this guide, we will look at symptoms, causes, diagnosis, treatment and long-term care to help you get a strong understanding of cerebellar ataxia in cats.

What Is Cerebellar Ataxia in Cats?

Cerebellar ataxia is a condition that occurs when the cerebellum is damaged or underdeveloped. The cerebellum is a part of the brain that is responsible for coordination, balance, precision and motor control.

When this part of the brain is damaged, it disrupts smooth, controlled movement. It is important to understand that ataxia is the symptom - the underlying cause can vary. The signs you need to look out for include:

• Unsteady gait

• Exaggerated stepping

• A swaying body

• Frequent stumbling

Cerebellar ataxia is one of three major types of ataxia in cats. The other two are vestibular ataxia and sensory ataxia, which we will look at below.

Type of Ataxia in Cats

Veterinarians classify ataxia into three neurological categories: cerebellar, vestibular and sensory. Each has different causes and presents in slightly different ways, so let’s look at them in a little more detail.

Cerebellar Ataxia

This is caused by damage or developmental problems that affect the cerebellum. Common symptoms include tremors when moving, exaggerated stepping (hypermetria), poor coordination and a wide stance.

Cats with cerebellar ataxia often appear wobbly but strong, and their limb strength is normal.

Vestibular Ataxia

This variety is caused by problems that affect the vestibular system. This means the inner ear and the brainstem. These areas are responsible for balance and spatial orientation, so problems with them can have the following symptoms:

• A head tilt

• Circling

• Falling to one side

• Rapid eye movements (nystagmus)

• Nausea or vomiting

Sensory (Proprioceptive) Ataxia

When cats have this problem, it is caused by issues in the spinal cord or nerves. It affects a cat’s ability to sense body position. Signs of this include:

• Dragging paws

• Knuckling

• Weakness in the limbs

In this article, we are focused on cerebellar ataxia, but these other two types will need different treatment and attention.

Symptoms of Cerebellar Ataxia in Cats

The symptoms we have described of cerebellar ataxia usually involve movement and coordination. But they are quite specific to this condition, as you will notice similar but different problems with other types of ataxia.

Here’s a little more detail on what to look out for:

• Movement abnormalities: You may notice wobbly walking, a staggering gait, frequent loss of balance and difficulty jumping on furniture.

• Characteristic neurological signs: Hypermetria (over-stepping movements), intention tremors (trembling when attempting to move), a wide stance and poor depth perception.

• Behaviours: Look out for clumsiness when playing, difficulty landing jumps and appearing to be “drunk” when walking.

It is important to understand that these symptoms will not be the same in all cats. For some, they will be mild, or they could be severe, and anything in between. Many cats learn to adapt their movement over time so these wobbly cat symptoms become less of a problem.

What Causes Cerebellar Ataxia in Cats?

Cerebellar ataxia tends to happen when the cerebellum is damaged, inflamed or underdeveloped. Let’s look at the most common causes of the condition:

• Congenital issues: The most common cause is cerebellar hypoplasia. This is where the cerebellum fails to develop before birth, usually caused by feline panleukopenia infection during the pregnancy. Symptoms start showing around 2-3 weeks old.

• Brain injury: Common sources of this include trauma from falls, road traffic accidents and other head injuries that damage the cerebellum.

• Infections affecting the nervous system: There are many of these that can occur, but the most common examples include Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), toxoplasmosis and viral infections that affect brain tissue.

Brain tumours: Any tumour affecting the cerebellum can disrupt coordination.

Toxic exposure: In some cases, cats being exposed to certain pesticides, household chemicals or poisonous plants can cause cerebellar damage.

Some forms of cerebellar damage are progressive. Others, like cerebellar hypoplasia, are non-progressive and can be managed fairly easily.

How Vets Diagnose Cerebellar Ataxia

When vets attempt to diagnose cerebellar ataxia, the main focus is on finding the underlying cause. Upon visiting your vet and reporting the symptoms, expect them to assess the following:

• Balance and coordination

• Reflex responses

• Limb strength

• Eye movement

These tests help determine which part of the nervous system has been affected.

Once this is done, they may need to proceed to diagnostic testing. Blood tests are one of the most common to detect infections or metabolic problems. However, imaging scans like X-rays and CT scans can be helpful, or an MRI scan may help detect brain abnormalities or tumours.

Additional testing might include spinal fluid analysis, infectious disease testing or ear examinations (if vestibular disease is suspected).

Treatment Options for Cerebellar Ataxia in Cats

The treatment of cerebellar ataxia depends on the underlying cause. There are various treatable causes. For example, infections may be treated with antibiotics, while toxin exposure might be tackled with detoxification and supportive care.

If a cat has a long-term neurological condition like cerebellar hypoplasia, it cannot be cured. However, it’s important to remember that these conditions are not painful and they are usually non-progressive - many cats still live a normal, happy life with supportive care.

Supportive treatments may include:

• Anti-nausea medication

• Anti-inflammatory drugs

• Pain management

• Physiotherapy

Living With a Cat That Has Cerebellar Ataxia

If your cat has cerebellar ataxia that they must learn to live with, it can be helpful to make certain adjustments and be vigilant of their health. Here are some practical tips for living with a cat that has cerebellar ataxia:

• Make your home safer: It is a good idea to provide non-slip flooring for your cat. Use low-sided litter trays, keep food and water accessible and avoid high furniture that requires jumping.

• Help your cat stay active: While wobbly cats are safer kept indoors, exercise is still important. Encourage safe play, use toys that stay on the ground and provide stable scratching posts.

• Monitor health: Owners are advised to watch for worsening balance, sudden neurological changes and appetite loss. If you notice these symptoms, there could be another underlying problem that requires veterinary care.

Can Cats With Cerebellar Ataxia Live Normal Lives?

Cats with cerebellar ataxia tend to adapt extremely well. The condition is often non-painful and non-progressive. This means that, with minor adjustments, an affected can can still:

• Play

• Climb

• Form a strong bond with its owner

The bottom line is that wobbly cats usually live long, happy lives. They make excellent pets.

Final Thoughts

Cerebellar ataxia affects a cat’s coordination and balance due to dysfunction in the cerebellum. Symptoms to look out for include:

• Wobbling

• Tremors

• Exaggerated movement

The causes of this condition range from congenital disorders to infections or trauma. Veterinary diagnosis is important to determine the underlying cause. At the end of the day, many cats with stable neurological conditions can live full, happy lives with supportive care.

We encourage you to consult a vet if you notice sudden balance or coordination problems in your cat, no matter their age.