What it is
Every cell contains tiny recycling workshops where enzymes break down substances the cell no longer needs. In this disease one of those enzymes does not work, so certain fatty substances called gangliosides are no longer broken down and pile up. Nerve cells are hit hardest, because they hold large amounts of these substances.
The disease is inherited: a kitten falls ill only when it receives the faulty gene from both parents. The parents themselves can be perfectly healthy carriers.
A kitten looks healthy at birth, but as it grows it loses more and more precision in its movements, and the disease advances over time. That is why any trembling or clumsiness in a kitten is worth showing to a vet. When getting a kitten, ask the breeder about the parents' health testing.
Signs you may notice
- Trembling head
- Unsteady, swaying walk
- Poorly coordinated movements
- Struggles to jump
- Stumbles and falls
The first signs appear in a kitten's first months of life: its head trembles, its walk becomes unsteady, it sways and finds it ever harder to coordinate its movements.
When to see a vet
If a kitten's head trembles, or it sways or moves clumsily, book a visit so a vet can examine it.
This is general information, not veterinary advice. For your own cat's health, tests and treatment, see a vet.