• syndrome seen in young kittens
• virus infects and replicates in placental cells, and can then infect the fetus
• in first third of gestation infection 'fetal death and resorption ( See Picture )
• from middle third of gestation to immediately post-natally infection - cerebellar hypoplasia ( See Picture )
• histologically, marked reduction in numbers of granular and Purkinje cells of cerebellum
• retina may also be affected, but not usually important clinically
• clinically, signs present at birth but not usually seen until walking age (2-3 weeks)
• not all the litter may be affected
• affected cats show symmetrical ataxia, a characteristic hypermetria, incoordination, and often intention tremors
• signs persist for life, but animal may compensate and thrive

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