<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto"><div><span></span></div><div><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><div><span></span></div><div><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span></span></div><div><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span></span></div><div><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span></span></div><div><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span></span></div><div><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span></span></div><div><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span></span></div><div><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span></span></div><div><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Courtesy of MailOnLine (London, England) at:</div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">(Videos)</div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2622395/Wobbly-cat-cattle-dog-Kitten-born-brain-disorder-strikes-unshakeable-bond-ageing-hound.html">http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2622395/Wobbly-cat-cattle-dog-Kitten-born-brain-disorder-strikes-unshakeable-bond-ageing-hound.html</a></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">-----------------------------------</div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div><h1 style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; min-height: 1px;"><font size="3"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Wobbly cat and the cattle dog: Kitten born with brain disorder strikes up unshakeable bond with an ageing hound<br></span></font></h1><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font size="3"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></div><ul class="article-summary sciencetech" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; min-height: 1px;"><li style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; list-style: none;"><font style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Ralphee the kitten has a neurological disorder called feline cerebellar hypoplasia (CH), which causes her to walk in an unusual way</font></li><li style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; list-style: none;"><font style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></font></li><li style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; list-style: none;"><font style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">She became friends with Max the cattle dog, who watches over her in their home in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia</font></li><li style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; list-style: none;"><font style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></font></li><li style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; list-style: none;"><font style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Ralphee waggles her head, walks unsteadily and sometimes leaps around - but is not in pain and is as intelligent as other cats<br></font></li><li style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; list-style: none;"><font style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></font></li><li style="padding: 0px; margin: 0px; list-style: none;"><font style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Symptoms of the disorder include: falling over for no apparent reason, a prancing, or high stepping walk and a general lack of balance</font></li></ul><p class="mol-para-with-font" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; min-height: 1px;"><font style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></font></p><p class="mol-para-with-font" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; min-height: 1px;"><font style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Like any kitten, Ralphee is affectionate, playful and mischievous.</font></p><p class="mol-para-with-font" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; min-height: 1px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p><p class="mol-para-with-font" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; min-height: 1px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">But it doesn’t take long to spot that she is different from other cats and is unsteady on her feet because of an unusual neurological condition which is colloquially known as ‘wobbly cat syndrome’.</span></p><p class="mol-para-with-font" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; min-height: 1px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p><p class="mol-para-with-font" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; min-height: 1px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The tabby can be seen waggling her head and sometimes jumping around uncontrollably, but is happy in the company of a protective cattle dog called Max.</span></p><p class="mol-para-with-font" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; min-height: 1px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p><p class="mol-para-with-font" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; min-height: 1px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Nature’s natural enemies immediately became friends when Ralphee was rescued from a barn at a horse stable and came to live with the dog in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.</span></p><p class="mol-para-with-font" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; min-height: 1px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p><p class="mol-para-with-font" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; min-height: 1px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font>The kitten has a neurological disorder called feline cerebellar hypoplasia (CH), which causes her to walk in an unusual way and wobble her head.</font></span></p><p class="mol-para-with-font" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; min-height: 1px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p><p class="mol-para-with-font" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; min-height: 1px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Some kittens are born with CH when their cerebellum – the part of the brain that controls coordination and fine motor skills – is underdeveloped. </span></p><p class="mol-para-with-font" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; min-height: 1px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p><p class="mol-para-with-font" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; min-height: 1px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The disorder develops inside the womb when a pregnant mother cat contracts feline distemper, which is a highly contagious and sometimes fatal viral disease.</span></p><p class="mol-para-with-font" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; min-height: 1px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p><p class="mol-para-with-font" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; min-height: 1px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Symptoms of the feline CH include: falling over for no apparent reason, a prancing, or high stepping walk and a general lack of balance, which can make it difficult for them to climb stairs.</span></p><p class="mol-para-with-font" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; min-height: 1px;"><font style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></font></p><p class="mol-para-with-font" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; min-height: 1px;"><font style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">While Ralphee’s owner says she is happy, loves affection and causes trouble wherever she goes, Max the dog is protective over his feline friend.</font></p><p class="mol-para-with-font" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; min-height: 1px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p><p class="mol-para-with-font" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; min-height: 1px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">‘Ever since Ralphee was brought home, Max is never far away. He appears to be forever curious and watches over Ralphee wherever she goes,’ according to the Wakaleo YouTube channel.</span></p><p class="mol-para-with-font" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; min-height: 1px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font>‘Ralphee is growing more mischievous by the day and loves to see what Max is doing as well. She will often get excited when he is nearby and leap in the air before playfully charging in his direction.’ </font><br></span></p><p class="mol-para-with-font" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; min-height: 1px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font><br></font></span></p><p class="mol-para-with-font" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; min-height: 1px;"><font style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">While some people might be worried that animals with the condition are in pain - because they can appear to be walking gingerly and jerk around – they are not and their life expectancy is the same as an average cat’s, according to the <a href="http://www.felinecerebellarhypoplasia.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; min-height: 1px; text-decoration: none; cursor: pointer; font-weight: bold;">CH Cat Community</a>.</font></p><p class="mol-para-with-font" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; min-height: 1px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p><p class="mol-para-with-font" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; min-height: 1px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The cats also have normal levels of intelligence, although they are often more dependent on humans and other animals, like Max, with whom they build strong bonds.</span></p><p class="mol-para-with-font" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; min-height: 1px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p><p class="mol-para-with-font" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; min-height: 1px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The condition is non-progressive and some owners of cats with CH have said it appears to improve as they get older, because the cats learn to deal with symptoms over time.</span></p><p class="mol-para-with-font" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; min-height: 1px;"><font style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The photographer who filmed Ralphee told MailOnline that she does everything a normal cat does with a few minor differences.</font></p><p class="mol-para-with-font" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; min-height: 1px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p><p class="mol-para-with-font" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; min-height: 1px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">'She has a room that has blankets and anything pointy or hard softened with pillows so when she stumbles out of her bed she is surrounded by soft items to keep her safe. This is more a precaution than anything.'</span></p><p class="mol-para-with-font" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; min-height: 1px;"><font style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></font></p><p class="mol-para-with-font" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; min-height: 1px;"><font style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Mealtimes can be messy but the kitten manages better if her food is elevated. She is allowed to play outside if she is supervised by Max.</font></p><p class="mol-para-with-font" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; min-height: 1px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></p><p class="mol-para-with-font" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; min-height: 1px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">'There is a definite connection between Max and Ralphee. Max seems bothered when Ralphee wanders too far and will often remain at her side wherever she goes.</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </span></p><p class="mol-para-with-font" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; min-height: 1px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></p><p class="mol-para-with-font" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; min-height: 1px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">'I think he may be aware that Ralphee is different as he seems to look much like a concerned father observing his kids as they play in the pool. It's quite surreal.</span></p><p class="mol-para-with-font" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; min-height: 1px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></p><p class="mol-para-with-font" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; min-height: 1px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">'Ralphee, will sometimes chase Max and give him a playful swipe and play tough before giving him a nuzzle or rubbing along his legs. Max seems happy to entertain this behaviour,' he said.</span></p><p class="mol-para-with-font" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; min-height: 1px;"><font style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">While the kitten loves to pounce on leaves and enjoys chasing nuts around, her favourite playmate is Max, who doesn't seem to tire of her antics.</font></p><p class="mol-para-with-font" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; min-height: 1px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></p><p class="mol-para-with-font" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; min-height: 1px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">'People often feel sorry for cats with disabilities but for Ralphee and many others they seem to get along without even realising they are any different,' he said.</span></p><p class="mol-para-with-font" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; min-height: 1px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></p><p class="mol-para-with-font" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; min-height: 1px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">--------------------</span></p><p class="mol-para-with-font" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; min-height: 1px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></p><p class="mol-para-with-font" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; min-height: 1px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Feline unstable: Ralphee the pretty tabby cat (pictured) can be seen waggling her head and sometimes jumping around uncontrollably because a neurological disorder colloquially known as 'wobbly cat syndrome' but is happy in the company of a cattle dog called Max (pictured right)<br><br></span></p><p class="mol-para-with-font" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; min-height: 1px;"><img src="cid:B758DDEB-3669-4043-A2BA-FE4DFB10C1CA" alt="image.jpeg" id="B758DDEB-3669-4043-A2BA-FE4DFB10C1CA" width="634" height="396"></p><p class="mol-para-with-font" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; min-height: 1px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">-----------------------------------<br><br><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Seeya at Farmers Market, Moscow, because . . .</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Moscow Cares" (the most fun you can have with your pants on)</span></div><div><a href="http://www.moscowcares.com/" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">http://www.MoscowCares.com</font></a></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></div><div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Tom Hansen</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Moscow, Idaho</span></div></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"There's room at the top they are telling you still.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">But first you must learn how to smile as you kill,</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">If you want to be like the folks on the hill."</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">- John Lennon</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></body></html>