Genetic Anomalies!? or something else?

[ArtemisBlack]

A friend of my mothers conspired with my younger sister early this morning to give us one of her cats kittens while my mother was out. This was in the hopes that once it was in our home and my mother had seen it she would allow my sister to keep it.

However herein lies my problem. I noticed right away that this kitten walked with a strange gait. Upon closer inspection I noticed that the kittens hindquarters had no arch and it walked flat footed. It also seemed to have a hard time controlling his back legs and has a slight tremor when moving(not when it sits still for a time or when sleeping). The kitten is quite normal in every other respect except for a tail that is about half the size of any other normal 8 weeks old kitten. Since it's been here it has refused all food and water and has not had any 'accidents' of any kind.

I haven't had a kitten in a long time so I cannot quite remember but it seems to be sleeping an awful lot. I'm not sure if any of this is irregular but I find it quite worrisome.

I did do some research online and I found a website that lists genetic anomalies and one of them was Krabbe disease? It fits the symptoms that it seems to be having. Is that what this poor kitten has? I hope that someone can reply to this ASAP

[growler~GateKeeper]

Take the wee one into the vet ASAP, it could be anything from dehydration, malnurishment, low blood sugar, to something far more serious.

good luck to you & the little one, please keep us updated

[sugarcatmom]

Definitely a good idea for a vet check. It could also be a condition called "cerebellar hypoplasia" (basically, brain damage) that some kittens are born with. Here's some info: http://www.vetinfo.com/cencyclopedia/cecerhypo.html

And here's a darling video of a cat, Charley, that has it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJQG6V1MOVY

[ArtemisBlack]

Thank you both for your suggestions and help. My mothers boyfriend has taken him to the vet this afternoon and we should find out tomorrow what is wrong with the poor fellow. I kinda of grew attached to him over the night (even though he kept me up with his purring) when he decided that my bed was much more comfortable then the nest we created in a box was.
He eventually ate something last night although I couldn't find anything that he would drink.
He is very happy and cuddly and he doesn't appear to be in any pain I just hope he's okay.

Thanks again