Mayhew rescues stray, abandoned and injured animals every single day. Whilst the majority of animals we bring in to our shelter quickly recover and go on to find their forever family, some are in need of a little extra TLC.

When our Animal Welfare Officer Tania Mazzoni was called out to collect a tiny calico kitten that had been found abandoned in Wormwood Scrubs, she soon noticed that Brollita – as she later named the kitten – would require some additional support.

Brollita was very shaky and unstable during her journey to Mayhew and during her intake examination, and she fell over more than once whilst having her initial health check. These regular tremors did not seem to be caused by nerves, fear or being too cold, so our vets took blood samples and settled Brollita down in our Hospital Ward to monitor her condition.

The blood test results ruled out multiple possible causes for the tremors, leaving our vets to conclude that Brollita’s symptoms were the result of cerebellar hypoplasia. This is a genetic neurological condition in which the cerebellum (the part of the brain responsible for motor movements, balance, spatial awareness and co-ordination) is small and underdeveloped.

This discovery explained why Brollita’s head was shaking, and why she was extremely unsteady on her feet. Luckily, it is not a degenerative condition, and so will not become worse over time.

Many animals with cerebellar hypoplasia can enjoy a relatively normal lifestyle and lifespan with the right support.

For Brollita, who has a moderate version of the condition, this means helping her to eat and drink, and keeping a close eye on her as she roams and plays to ensure she does not inadvertently hurt herself.

When Brollita first arrived at Mayhew, she had difficulty drinking as her head tremors would cause water to splash on her face, which scared her. Our Cattery team patiently supported her until she got used to the movement, and our vets gave her IV fluids until she could drink a sufficient amount of water by herself.

We also mashed Brollita’s food, making it easier for her to eat, and encouraged her to play and interact with staff to get her used to being on her feet.

Brollita is now incredibly affectionate and very fond of games and toys – she loves to play with her feather mouse, and is slowly coming out of her shell and becoming more confident. Our team take time every day to socialise with her and support her, and her mobility is coming on leaps and bounds.

We are confident that Brollita will live a long and happy life with the right owner, who she is very much looking forward to finding. Brollita has been neutered and vaccinated, and is searching for someone very special – just like her – who has extra time and affection to dedicate towards her care.

Ideally, Brollita will need an owner who will be around for most of the day, and who has a secure enclosed garden area for her to enjoy under supervision. We would also consider a large indoor-only home.