Cerebellar hypoplasia?

Hello Dr Marie,

I recently found an abandoned feral kitten in the street who was very close to death. He was extremely dehydrated and starving, and in spite of being I would estimate 5-6 weeks old, couldn't seem to stand up on his own because his back legs were too weak. I took him in and after a week of constant care and about 4 vet visits later he's doing much better (eating / drinking normally, playing a lot, no fever) aside from a bad case of the runs, which is a switch from the severe constipation that he had when i found him. However, he does this strange thing that has me a bit concerned which is that his head shakes whenever he's excited, like at meal time or when we're playing, and it also shakes sometimes, although less so, when he's sitting calmly. He seems to be getting more steady on his feet and has regained enough strength in his back legs to run and pounce, but he does fall over frequently and seems a bit clumsier than any other kitten his age that I have experienced. I started wondering if it could be Cerebellar Hypoplasia, but having watched several videos of cats with CH I would say his affliction is much less obvious, and less severe. He seems much more coordinated than the CH cats I watched. Could this just be a symptom of weakness, or should I worry that it's something more serious? I should note that we are currently located in Senegal in West Africa (which is where I found him) and don't plan to move back to the United States for at least another couple years as my husband's job is here. The vet care in Senegal is adequate, although no where near as sophisticated as it is back home and thorough diagnostic testing is not something I will most likely have access to. In the short week that he's been with us we've grown absolutely inseparable. He is such a joy in our lives (even my 2 year old cat whom I rescued in Guinea is a big fan), and I want to make sure to keep him as happy and healthy as I can.

Thanks very much for your time and response.

Amy