Many people think that cats with hallucinations see ghosts. Let’s explore what it’s really like to live with such a cat.
Lily was born with a condition called toxoplasmosis, which is typically acquired from exposure outdoors, so she probably got it from some outdoor venture.
Sarah, Lily’s current owner, has a soft spot for special needs animals. When she arrived at North Shore’s Shelter and met Lily, she thought the cat was incredibly precious.
Without thinking twice, Sarah took her home!
The parasite Lily has can actually rewire her brain, leading to neurological deficits. She struggles with balance and coordination and has vision abnormalities, like poor depth perception.
For instance, if someone is far away, Lily perceives them as being closer, which easily startles her, which is why she also has trouble playing with toys.
Additionally, Lily suffers from feline hyperesthesia, a condition that causes her to experience hallucinations.
Sarah had Lily undergo an MRI, and to their surprise, her brain appeared completely normal. This discovery confirmed that the infection had caused real internal damage.
Lily’s condition, feline hyperesthesia, also leads to episodes where it seems like she’s attacking something that isn’t there.
Many people have speculated that Lily might be seeing ghosts, and Sarah has heard similar reports from others dealing with the same issue in their cats.
Lily can get very growly and hissy, often jumping and attacking nothing. While medication has helped keep her condition somewhat under control, she usually remains medication-free.
Sarah explains in the video how they’ve learned to identify Lily’s triggers. For instance, she reacts strongly to outdoor cat smells or any new cat scent.
Whenever Sarah brings a new cat home, she ensures Lily gets her medication first, which has been successful for both Lily and the new arrivals.
Overall, Lily’s brain works differently. One of her unique traits is wall jumping, which is actually beneficial for her. Most importantly, she’s not in any physical pain. This daily wall jumping provides her with the exercise she needs.
Sarah is continually amazed by how the brain influences the body, observing Lily’s daily life:
“When she plays, she’s trying to get a ball on the ground and she’s missing it, oftentimes I used to wonder like ‘Why isn’t her arm bending?’ It’s not because there’s anything wrong with her arms physically, it’s because the brain is not telling her you can bend your wrists.”
“She has a really complex condition, but she still is a happy, sweet girl. She’s relaxed. She lives a great life with us and she loves her mom. When Lily shows love towards you, it’s really special because she doesn’t do that with everybody or does not express that in the same way a lot of cats do or can.”
Lily is very independent despite her condition, yet at the same time, she’s also very clingy. Sarah often says that Lily is ‘lilling’ instead of chilling because while she may seek attention, she also tends to go off and do her own thing when she feels like it.
Lily often gets overwhelmed, and I totally understand why. Imagine someone standing five feet away from you and feeling like they’re right in front of your nose – poor girl.
“She gets really overwhelmed and overstimulated by that. You just have to meet Lily where she’s at and understand her. She’s just so one of a kind, I’ve never met another cat like Lily.”
I’m sure of that! Lily truly is one of a kind. Her unique way of interpreting life is remarkable, and thanks to Sarah, she’s able to live it to the fullest!
Despite her condition and all the challenges she’s faced, Lily still enjoys life. Thanks to Sarah, she’s able to experience all the joys of cat life, just like a cat without her condition would.
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