Sunny’s Story: Cerebellar Hypoplasia in Dogs

“Is he old?”

“Has he had a hip replacement…?”

“He walks like a dressage pony!”

It’s safe to say our 3 year-old cocker spaniel, Sunny, gets plenty of attention when we’re out in public.

His wobbly, clumsy walk is just as endearing as his utterly joyful personality. He is literally THE happiest boy in the world.

And it’s all despite his neurological disorder called cerebellar hypoplasia.

Navigating his condition has involved countless tests, vets and specialists – all in search of answers to his unusual symptoms; tremors, paralysis, frequent falls and occasional seizures (to name a few).

While we Googled everything we possibly could, what we struggled to find were personal stories from pet parents facing this situation too. 

By sharing Sunny’s story – the early signs, endless tests, and how we adapted our lives to cater to his special needs – we hope to support other pet parents of similarly affected pups.

Most importantly, we aim to prove cerebellar hypoplasia isn’t a barrier to a happy and fulfilling life for your best friend. 

RELATED: 7 Signs of Dog Dementia: What to Look For in Your Senior Dog 

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What is cerebellar hypoplasia?

Cerebellar hypoplasia is a neurological disorder that affects the cerebellum – the part of the brain that controls movement and motor function.

In most cases, cerebellar hypoplasia is caused by the cerebellum failing to develop properly in the womb or shortly after birth. 

While this disorder is mostly genetically inherited, puppies can still acquire it in utero if the mother is exposed to an infection or lack of nutrition. 

In some cases, the condition may be considered idiopathic – meaning the underlying cause for its development is unknown.

Symptoms of cerebellar hypoplasia

Dogs with cerebellar hypoplasia are typically wobbly and injury-prone due to their lack of coordination.

While cerebellar hypoplasia in dogs can range in severity, most affected dogs will struggle to walk, run, and eat. They understand their surroundings perfectly well, but lack the ability to control their movements like typical dogs do.

Puppies with this condition seem very clumsy and awkward, which is often (and understandably) mistaken for cute puppy behaviour.

Symptoms typically become noticeable by 6 weeks old, when the puppy starts walking and exploring.

Diagnosis and treatment 

Cerebellar hypoplasia in dogs is relatively rare, but is more commonly seen in cats. 

Typically a diagnosis is reached through assessing a dog’s medical history along with their clinical signs. Blood and urine tests may be needed, along with an MRI.

Most importantly, there is no cure for this condition. But the good news is that cerebellar hypoplasia in dogs does not get progressively worse. 

With the right management and care (and a whole lot of love) affected pups can very much lead happy and joyful lives.

Just ask Sunny!

Sunny’s story: The early signs

Two things happened on day one with Sunny: we absolutely fell in love with him, and we realised something wasn’t quite right.

We observed little quirks in his movement; bunny hopping on his back legs, tremoring paws, confusion with steps – even licking the air instead of the water in his bowl.

It was as if there was a disconnect between what his brain was telling him to do, and what his body allowed.

As endearing as it all seemed, these strange behaviours were very concerning – we had never seen anything like this before. 

Will he get better in time? Or will he get worse? Could Sunny potentially die from this? Between endless cuddles with him came so many questions.

Seeking advice from his breeder 

Sunny had come to us from a reputable registered breeder, who we’d been in contact with for months prior to him joining our family. We had also reached out to a couple of parents from previous litters to ensure their puppies were happy and healthy. 

All the necessary paperwork had been provided to us – registration documents, pedigree certificate and veterinary records. 

Knowing there was potentially a genetic cause behind Sunny’s condition, the first thing we did was speak to his breeder about our concerns. 

After much discussion the breeder suggested Sunny’s behaviour may just be anxiety-related (as Sunny’s father had mild anxiety) and to give him a little more time to settle into his new life.

But we suspected something more than anxiety was going on.

Post-sleep paralysis

Sunny then began displaying another unusual kind of behaviour, and the trigger for these episodes was always the same. 

If Sunny was awoken suddenly from a deep sleep, his body would go into what can only be described as a state of partial (but temporary) paralysis. 

We later learned that times of changing brain activity, such as awakening from sleep, are a common time for seizures to occur in dogs. 

What was interesting about these episodes was how little Sunny was bothered by them. He would try to carry on like nothing was wrong, causing him to repeatedly collapse and fall over.

The first seizure

Then, within two weeks of being home with us, Sunny had his first grand mal seizure. 

It occurred in the dead of night. Sunny began vocalizing uncontrollably, his body stiffened and he wet himself. We held him tightly and reassured him as calmly as we could, until eventually he quieted and his body relaxed. Those terrifying minutes felt like forever. 

We took him to the emergency vet immediately, by which time he had settled completely. He was monitored for a few hours then sent home.

It was to be the first in a long line of vet appointments to figure out just what was going on.

Challenges in obtaining a diagnosis

Sunny’s raft of unusual symptoms made it difficult for our vet to make a clear diagnosis. While cerebellar hypoplasia was suspected from the start, there’s no single or simple laboratory test that can diagnose it. 

White shaker syndrome, PSS (portosystemic shunt), hip dysplasia, epilepsy, cerebellar hypoplasia, a brain tumour, hydrocephalus (an excess of cerebrospinal fluid) and degenerative storage diseases such as ceroid-lipofuscinosis and cerebellar abiotrophy, were all flagged as potential conditions.

Our regular vet referred us to another vet for a second opinion. From there we were referred to the Animal Referral Hospital, then on to a specialist neurologist.

Tests, questions…and a result

Due to the many (scary) possibilities, a series of tests including blood and urine tests, several physical exams, a spinal fluid test, and finally an MRI were needed to rule out as many conditions as possible.

The MRI was a big decision, because at $6000 it didn’t come cheap (thankfully our pet insurance covered this). But it was the best chance we had at getting some concrete answers.

To everyone’s surprise however, Sunny’s MRI came back clear – with a caveat.

As he was only 6 months old at the time of his scan, it was recommended Sunny have a second MRI when he is an adult (and fully developed).

Ultimately, having ruled out several of the above disorders, cerebellar hypoplasia was the presumptive diagnosis we received. 

How we manage Sunny’s cerebellar hypoplasia

Caring for a dog with an incurable condition is all about best supporting their needs.

Being the bright and happy boy he is, Sunny is intent on living his life to the fullest – and it’s our job to make sure he doesn’t miss out. 

We’ve had to identify where his daily challenges lie, and how we can bridge the gap in his physical abilities.

Here’s how Sunny’s daily life differs to a typical dog, and the adjustments we’ve made to support his special needs:

Eating & drinking:

Sunny has severe intention tremors at meal times, resulting in his food being spilled across the floor. It often looks like a bomb exploded in his bowl! Therefore at every meal time, one of us will sit with Sunny to monitor him and scoop the strewn food back into his bowl to finish. 
Due to his tremors, Sunny struggles to eat treats from the floor or a flat, hard surface. When he tries, he smacks his nose into the ground. An easy way to avoid this has been with a soft and cushy snuffle mat, and he absolutely loves it. One of his favourite words is “snuffles!” 
Drinking also causes tremors, so we always make sure his water bowl is full to avoid Sunny having to bend down too far into his bowl and potentially knock his head while drinking.

Exercise & sleep:

Despite Sunny’s inability to run or walk long distances, he still loves going for his daily walks (albeit at a very slow pace!) We make sure he gets plenty of sniffs and stimulation in our local nearby streets, before taking Ziggy out for a longer walk.
Recently we got a pet stroller for Sunny so we can take longer walks together as a family, and he can easily have a rest when his body and back legs get tired.
Sunny sleeps a lot and tires easily. Hardly surprising really, when all of that extra energy he has to put into basic tasks like eating, sniffing and walking! 

Around the home:

Due to Sunny’s weak back legs and difficulties jumping, we chose not to fit the the legs on our new bed to make it lower to the ground, so he can easily climb up (via an ottoman) whenever he needs.
Luckily we don’t have stairs to worry about! But we do have one large step in the back area of our home, where we have placed another ottoman to help Sunny easily climb up or down. 
As Sunny is very wobbly on his feet, we have rugs throughout our home to avoid him slipping over.

There’s no question that getting a second dog turned out nothing like we imagined – but we’d  never have it any other way.

Sunny’s happy-go-lucky approach to life, despite his limitations, makes our hearts burst with pride every day. 

How to support a dog with cerebellar hypoplasia

As you can see from the adjustments we’ve made, there’s plenty you can do to give your dog with cerebellar hypoplasia a safe, happy and enriched life. 

Every dog with this condition is affected differently, so the care requirements will naturally differ too. 

Here is a quick list of general tips and strategies to support dogs with cerebellar hypoplasia:

At home:

 Use rugs or non-slip mats to provide better traction and prevent falls.
 Limit access to stairs or areas with slippery floors.
 Create safe spaces with soft bedding to prevent injuries from falls.

Mobility assistance:

Provide support with dog wheelchairs or harnesses if needed.
Use ramps or steps to help your dog access furniture, or get in and out of cars.
Encourage exercise and playtime to maintain their muscle strength (with appropriate safety measures in place)

Feeding and hydration:

Use raised feeding stations to make eating and drinking easier.
Offer assistance during meals if your dog has difficulty reaching the food or water bowl.
Ensure the food and water bowls are stable and easy to access.

Emotional support and enrichment:

Provide plenty of love, patience, and reassurance.
Use positive reinforcement techniques to train and encourage desired behaviours.
Engage in gentle play that accommodates your dog’s mobility challenges.
 Offer enrichment toys and activities that stimulate your dog and keep them engaged.

Regular veterinary care:

Have regular check-ups with the vet to monitor your dog’s health and progress.
Discuss any new symptoms or concerns promptly.
Stay informed about the latest treatments and therapies for cerebellar hypoplasia.

By understanding and addressing the specific needs of your dog, you can provide a loving and supportive environment that allows them to thrive.

Final thoughts

Through sharing Sunny’s journey, we aim to offer hope and practical advice to any pet parent caring for a dog with cerebellar hypoplasia.

Ultimately, with love, patience, and dedicated care, dogs with this neurological condition can lead happy and fulfilling lives – and brighten the world of those around them too.

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