![]() Others will have cerebellar signs that become noticeable as they start to ambulate. Some kittens are born dead or die soon after birth. The queen in these cases is usually asymptomatic. The end result is hypoplasia of the developing cerebellum in one or more feti. Since the parvovirus has a predilection for actively dividing cells, when susceptible pregnant females come in contact with the virus, the virus infects the rapidly dividing cells of the cerebellum, causing a degeneration of the granule and Purkinje cells. MRI brain scan is usually able to confirm a smaller than normal cerebellum.ĭisease description in this species: IN-UTERO INFECTIONĬerebellar hypoplasia is not as common as it once was because many cats have been protected by the panleukopenia vaccine. The diagnosis is suspected based on the age, clinical signs and the lack of progression of clinical signs. Lack of progressive cerebellar signs distinguishes hypoplasia from cerebellar abiotrophy, storage diseases, and most cerebellar infections which all have progressive cerebellar signs. Some patients have an absent menace response.Ĭerebellar hypoplasia without other concurrent defects is not expected to cause progressive clinical signs. Occasionally nystagmus or head tilt is noted. These signs may include ataxia, hypermetria (over reaching or over-action), spasticity, broad based stance, swaying of the body, and intention tremors of the head. ![]() The canine herpes virus can cause an acute encephalitis in the neonate and potentially this inflammation can result in a hypoplastic cerebellum.Ĭerebellar signs are noticeable when the affected animal first starts to ambulate. 3 Thus it is likely that the canine parvovirus (a virus derived from the feline panleukopenia virus) is the cause of some cases of cerebellar hypoplasia in dogs. 1-2 Dogs: Recently the cerebellum of two dogs with cerebellar hypoplasia was subject to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification by 3 primer pairs specific for parvovirus DNA and found to be positive. 1-2Ĭats: In cats, the feline panleukopenia virus is well known for infecting the cerebellum either in-utero or within the neonatal period while the external germinal cell layer of the cerebellum is still developing. The overall result is a smaller than normal cerebellum. Thus this layer can be destroyed resulting in hypoplasia of the granule layer and disorganization of the Purkinje cell layer. These cells are susceptible to damage by viruses that have a predilection for actively dividing cells. During the first two weeks of the post natal period, the cells of the external germinal layer of the cerebellum continue to rapidly divide and develop. Ĭontributors: Linda Shell, DVM, DACVIM Neurologyĭisease description: Cerebellar hypoplasia is an incomplete development of the cerebellum that results in a smaller than normal cerebellum and clinical signs of incoordination.Ĭerebellar hypoplasia occurs as a developmental defect of unknown cause or as a result of an in-utero or perinatal viral infection. Here is a client sheet on this condition. Talk with your vet about the possibility. When there is no fluid it is especially hard to diagnose. Your vet may want to do a few more tests although none are specific for the disease there are features that when put together point strongly to it. Antibiotics and immune suppressants can be tried. It is a nasty disease in that treatment is very unsatisfactory. The high fever and white count and not eating are very characteristic of it. There is a dry form of this viral disease and any tissue can be affected. The symptoms you describe could be due to Feline Infectious Peritonitis.
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