16 day kitten, eyes not open

the dormancy for most diseases, so there is only a small chance that
she has something. Although, I seem to remember reading about feline
panleukopenia, which can affect their eyes and/or nervous system and
you may not know until they turn up blind or unable to walk well.
Well, another round of the waiting game has begun....


Exposure to the distemper virus en utero can result in a kitten born with
cerebellar hypoplasia. Generally, the kitten has impaired coordination
but can also have other health problems. I didn't know about the
possibility of blindness, though I know of a woman who had a CH cat born
blind and unable to walk. It did fine until an incompetent vet allowed it
to fall from the exam table. Campus Cats has a cat (now 10 yrs old) with
severe CH. Tipsy is unable to take a single normal step but gets herself
to the litterpan, food dish and water dish on her own when she has to
(most of the time, she has me at her beck and call, of course).

Generally kittens found to have this condition are euthanized outright.
I just wanted to put the word in not to give up too easily on this kitten
if she is CH. CH is related to the distemper virus but is not contagious;
Tipsy has her shot every year, like every other cat in the household. I
don't expect her to live quite as long as a cat without CH, but she is
healthy now and I hope to have her a good long time.

Sharon Talbert
Friends of Campus Cats
Seattle