Meet the Handsome Wobbly Cat
Meet the Handsome Wobbly Cat
by Cailtin McAuliffe, Meow as FluffÂ
When Suzi Langer was asked to foster Bifford, a cat with cerebellar hypoplasia (CH), she didn’t have any experience caring for special needs. However, when Suzi learned the fluffy black feline wasn’t thriving at the shelter, she reluctantly agreed to foster him. “He was getting bullied and beat up on by the other cats. He was depressed, lethargic, and not really eating,” remembers Suzi. So she picked him from the shelter in early 2014. “I opened the top of the worn green carrier to see two warm golden eyes staring back at me. Bifford sat there, quietly in the ‘turkey stance,’ and he seemed to almost be overwhelmed by his changing situation.”
The History- Meet the Handsome Wobbly Cat
However, when Suzi learned Bifford’s history, she quickly understood why he appeared uneasy. On October 9, 2011, Bifford and his litter mates were born with cerebellar hypoplasia. It is a non-progressive neurological condition that affects balance and coordination. “This may occur if a pregnant queen is vaccinated for feline distemper (FVRCP) using a ‘modified live virus’ vaccine,” explains Suzi, “or if the mother suffers trauma, malnutrition, or panleukopenia [a highly contagious viral disease].”
Sadly, when Bifford was just nine days old, he was rejected by his biological mother. So he was bottle fed by a good Samaritan. The good Samaritan also assisted the wobbly kitten by helping him use the litter box and cleaning him. The woman eventually surrendered Bifford to the shelter because she felt overwhelmed. “She claimed that he needed 24 hour around-the-clock care in order to survive,” says Suzi.
Over and Over Again
He was returned to the shelter by his first family because they were going on vacation. His second family returned him because he didn’t cover up the mess in the litterbox. So they also returned Bifford to the shelter. He was adopted by yet another family and was returned to the shelter for a third time. But not before he was subjected to profound cruelty.
“The ‘owners’ had attempted to lock Bifford in an empty hot tub. Because they wanted him to ‘die with dignity’ and ‘contain the mess,’ ” explains Suzi. “It breaks my heart to think about Bifford patiently waiting for his ‘family’ to return. With each passing minute he slowly loses hope that they were coming back for him.”
Irresistible
Within moments of bringing Bifford home on May 9, 2014, Suzi fell in love with the adorable special needs cat. She and her husband decided to adopt him! “Bifford was a clumsy, affectionate, verbal little dude. He had no reservations with enjoying the ‘clingy’ life attached to his mama’s hip!” says Suzi. Plus, being an adult black cat with special needs would make it harder for Bifford to find a forever home. She was confident they would be able to provide him with the care and attention he needed to thrive.
Initially, it was difficult for Suzi to resist the urge to coddle Bifford. Especially because cats with cerebellar hypoplasia have issues with balance and coordination. As time went on, Suzi realized Bifford was not going to injure himself.
Happy Cat
Nearly seven years later, Bifford is doing better than ever. While he still wobbles when he walks, he’s incredibly happy and active. He’s also surprisingly self-reliant. Suzi believes is a product of the more laid-back approach she’s taken towards Bifford’s cerebellar hypoplasia. “Today Bifford is more independent. He is able to climb into bed at night with us. Overall he became a more self-reliant little dude,” explains Suzi. “I believe that’s partly due to the fact that I am not a ‘helicopter’ mother and constantly swarming over him.”
However, this doesn’t mean Suzi and Bifford don’t have an extremely close relationship. In fact, there’s nothing this affectionate boy enjoys more than cuddling with his mom and dad. He also adores spending supervised time outside during the spring and summer. “Bifford never goes outside unattended and always wears a brightly colored harness with a leash on it,” says Suzi. “He loves to try and catch lightning bugs, flowers blowing in the breeze, and all around running and gallivanting.“
Meet the Handsome Wobbly Cat- Misconceptions
Suzi has encountered people who mistakenly believe cats with cerebellar hypoplasia are suffering and should be euthanized. She’s also found other common misconceptions that cerebellar hypoplasia is contagious and progressive, neither of which is true. “These amazing babies are just as capable of living a long, happy, healthy life with minimal ‘special requirements,’ ” says Suzi. “Cerebellar hypoplasia animals, and many other special needs animals, are affectionate, strong-willed, resilient, amazing beings. We as humans can gain a thing or two by adopting these special babies and watching them go!”
Since adopting Bifford in 2014, she has opened their home to a variety of special needs pets. Including Bart, a one-eyed, partially blind cat and Roscoe, a Rat Terrier with epilepsy. Also Maggie Mae, a deaf Pug who recently passed away from transitional cell carcinoma. “They are well-loved and well-cared for and do not require any extra care at home. Just a little patience and understanding!” says Suzi.
