Glossary

A rare congenital disorder which causes an abnormality of the lower spine known as the “caudal” half which contains parts of the bones which form the tailbone, legs, hips and a number of organs in the lower body.

The condition affects around one in 25,000 babies.

A common bacterial skin infection that causes redness, swelling, and pain in the infected area of the skin. If untreated, it can spread and cause serious health problems.

A neurological condition caused by damage to the Central Nervous System which can spread pain around the whole body or a specific area.

The pain can intensify by movement, emotions, temperature changes and physical contact.

Symptoms can include a burning sensation and in some cases aching and excruciating pain.

A non-human neurological condition where the cerebellum is underdeveloped or smaller than usual in animals.

Also known as ‘wobbly animal syndrome’

Cerebellar hypoplasia is a neurological condition in which the cerebellum is smaller than usual or not completely developed

The condition has been reported in a wide range of animals.

In cats, this condition is also called "Wobbly Cat Syndrome."

Cerebellum Ataxia is a result from damage to the part of the brain and can affect walking, loss of balance, co-ordination, speech impairments and erratic eye movements.

Ataxia is usually cerebellum although in some cases it can affect the nerves and spinal cord.

CP is the general term for neurological conditions, caused by the brain and the nervous system, which affects co-ordination and movement.

Cerebral Palsy is caused by abnormal brain developments leading from a difficult or premature birth, changes in the genres which affect brain developments, bleeding from inside the baby’s brain or an infection caught during pregnancy.

In a small percentage of cases people with CP may have communication and learning difficulties although most are only affected with physical difficulties which can include seizures, drooling, walking and speaking.

Statistics show around 1 in 400 people are living with Cerebral Palsy in the UK.

A loss of blood flow to part of the brain, which damages brain tissue. Cerebrovascular accidents are caused by blood clots and broken blood vessels in the brain. 

Symptoms include dizziness, numbness, weakness on one side of the body, and problems with talking, writing, or understanding language.

A condition which weakens the bones in the foot. The bones deteriorate over time and the shape of the foot gradually changes as the joints eventually collapse.

Charcot foot can lead to a severely disability and in some cases amputation may be required.

Charcot Marie Tooth (CMT) is a collection of inherited condition which cause damage to the peripheral nerves which control the main central nervous system.

It is a progressive condition.

People with CMT may have trouble walking, flat feet, muscle weakness in their hands, legs, ankles and feet as well as numbness in the hands, arms and feet.

Symptoms usually appear between the ages of 5 and i5, although in some cases they can start to appear in middle age or later.

CHARGE is an abbreviation for a list of several features related to the condition… Coloboma (an eye condition), Heart defects, Atresia choanae (a problem behind the nose), growth Retardation, Genital abnormalities, and Ear abnormalities.

Half of children born with the condition have a gene mutation.

A rare condition which creates patterns of birth defects with a wide range of conditions that can differ from child to child which affects 1 in 150,000 babies a year.

A condition where brain tissue extends to the spinal canal which usually occurs when the skull is abnormally small or misshapen which puts pressure on the brainstem and spinal cord obstructing the flow of fluid.

The illness was previously referred to as Arnold-Chiari malformation.

A type of hives which is triggered by the rise in body temperature which is usually present when you exercise or sweat.

Cholinergic urticarial, otherwise known as CU, is a type of hives which affects the skin when it is raised by body temperature.

The condition is usually triggered when you exercise or sweat and usually disappears after a few hours without the need of any medication.