Hereditary diseases of cats

Progressive neuronopathic lysosomal storage disease caused by a deficiency in b-N-acetylhexosaminidase activity. Gangliosidosis GM2 can have varying degrees of severity. Kittens begin to show the characteristic signs of cerebellar dysfunction at about 2 months of age. By 4 months, other neurological signs gradually appear and subsequently sick kittens die at about 7 months of age. Magnetic resonance imaging shows an enlarged ventricular system, T1 hyperintensity in the inner capsule and T2 hyperintensity in the white matter of the brain.