Cerebellar Hypoplasia

Cerebellar hypoplasia describes incomplete development of the cerebellum, the region of the brain that coordinates movement and balance. This occurs before birth or in the very early weeks of life, and because growth has simply not finished, the signs remain stable rather than worsening over time. Owners often first notice an unsteady, wobbly gait—sometimes described as appearing drunk or uncoordinated—along with a head tremor that tends to become more obvious when the animal is focused or excited. The degree of wobbliness varies widely, from subtle clumsiness to more pronounced difficulty with balance, and many animals adapt remarkably well to their altered movement, managing everyday life without distress. This page explores what cerebellar hypoplasia can look like in daily life, what happens during development to produce these movement patterns, how the condition is distinguished from other causes of unsteadiness, and the spectrum of approaches that support affected animals in living comfortably within their capabilities.