Retarded Cat

JumpRdr

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Dec 14, 1996, 3:00:00 AM12/14/96

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My veterinarian says my 1-1/2 year old cat is slightly mentally retarded.
She is the result of a group of barn cats who inbred for 8-10 years. She
has a cerebellar dysfunction and has an abnormal gait. Both left legs move
together, then both right legs (like a pacing horse). When she "runs," she
hops like a rabbit (she can get going pretty fast, though!). She has been
unable to learn her name in a year and a half and it's obvious she never
will. We know that she can hear; she just doesn't associate words with
anything meaningful to her. She can't jump up onto high places like normal
cats can, but she can jump 1-1/2 feet up onto the coffee table. She
considers this quite an accomplishment and is very proud of herself. We
feed our cats on top of the washing machine, and she has to be lifted up
to eat and then lifted down when she's finished. Other than this small
amount of special care, she's fine. She has been able to learn the
important things (where the cat box is, how to get food when she's hungry,
how to get a hug), she's just weak in the language department and is
physically uncoordinated. She's very affectionate, sweet and playful.

Anyone else had a cat like this?

Ron & Jeannie Dailey

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Dec 14, 1996, 3:00:00 AM12/14/96

to JumpRdr

How retarded can she be - she managed to find herself a great owner!!
Imho she's pretty darn smart!!

Jeannie
We Take Care of Yesterday's Kittens

JumpRdr wrote:
>
> My veterinarian says my 1-1/2 year old cat is slightly mentally retarded.
> She is the result of a group of barn cats who inbred for 8-10 years.

>We
> feed our cats on top of the washing machine, and she has to be lifted up
> to eat and then lifted down when she's finished. Other than this small
> amount of special care, she's fine. She has been able to learn the
> important things (where the cat box is, how to get food when she's hungry,
> how to get a hug), she's just weak in the language department and is
> physically uncoordinated. She's very affectionate, sweet and playful.
>
> Anyone else had a cat like this?

J. Worthington Proudfoot

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Dec 14, 1996, 3:00:00 AM12/14/96

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Ditto! I've often suspected my formerly-feral 2 year old was
retarded. I just think she's crazy!!!

Bric-a-brac-a-firecracker,
Siss-boom-bah.
Bugs Bunny, Bugs Bunny
RAH - RAH - RAH!

Sharon Talbert

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Dec 16, 1996, 3:00:00 AM12/16/96

to JumpRdr

Your cat is suffering from cerebellar hypoplasia, which is the result of
a breeding cat carrying the distemper virus. Please don't feed her on
high places, as she may fall and suffer serious injury or death because
she cannot save herself. I don't believe this condition affect the cat's
intelligence; the disablement is physical (the cerebellum is the center of
balance). Your cat may have additional problems, however.

I also have such a cat, who was found in an alley of an inner-city college
campus in Seattle. Her mother was a survivor of a distemper outbreak the
year before. Tipsy is profoundly disabled but is feisty and smart and
very proud. She is unable to walk even one normal step but she gets
herself all over the house, jumps up on the bed and furniture (and down
again; I've padded areas of the house to reduce the risk of injury), feeds
herself, drinks on her own, uses her own litterpan. We still help her
with all these things, to be sure she is comfortable and getting enough
to eat and drink. Tipsy is now about 1-1/2 years old and doing just fine,
thank you. We enjoy her enormously.

I hope you have brought your Tipsy kitty inside where she will be safe
from predators and fall-related injuries. Be sure she is spayed and soon
(before she is 6 months old).

If your barn cats can be caught, I recommend vaccinating them against
distember and rabies (and leukemia if you can swing it; check with a vet
about a special rate). And please sterilize them while you are at it.
Don't worry about running out of barn cats; your vet can help you find
plenty more where those came from. Rescue people in this area are always
desperate for barn homes for healthy, sterilized feral cats.

Sharon Talbert
Friends of Campus Cats
(Tipsy sends her regards)

On 14 Dec 1996, JumpRdr wrote:

> My veterinarian says my 1-1/2 year old cat is slightly mentally retarded.

> She is the result of a group of barn cats who inbred for 8-10 years. She
> has a cerebellar dysfunction and has an abnormal gait. Both left legs move
> together, then both right legs (like a pacing horse). When she "runs," she
> hops like a rabbit (she can get going pretty fast, though!). She has been
> unable to learn her name in a year and a half and it's obvious she never
> will. We know that she can hear; she just doesn't associate words with
> anything meaningful to her. She can't jump up onto high places like normal
> cats can, but she can jump 1-1/2 feet up onto the coffee table. She

> considers this quite an accomplishment and is very proud of herself. We

schummy

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Dec 25, 1996, 3:00:00 AM12/25/96

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that´s a moveful message. I love already that cat. I think a being like
that is so lovely as anyother.

Congratulations for to have the opportunity of to get moved in your
life.

Javier Gamero