Zilla Bergamini instantly fell in love with a distinctive Sphynx kitten she saw in a video shared by her cat breeder friend. Despite looking different from the other kittens, her friend informed Zilla that the cat was sick and not for sale.
Lucythebatcat on Instagram shared a photo of Zilla’s friend taking a kitten to the vet. The kitten was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a medical condition that results in the accumulation of fluid within the brain. Although surgery was an option, the veterinarian recommended against it. Zilla, who expressed her willingness to adopt the kitten despite its special needs, made her friend very happy.
Lucy, a young cat, was rescued by Zilla and had to wait for three days before going home. During the waiting period, Zilla researched hydrocephalus and prepared herself for Lucy’s arrival. She read extensively to understand all possible outcomes of the condition and looked for the best veterinary center in the country. Additionally, she started setting up a fund to pay for Lucy’s surgery or medication if required.
Lucy arrived at her new home in Haifa, Israel on March 15, 2019, when she was only two months old. Her new owner, Zilla, who already had two rescue cats, was both excited and anxious about taking care of a kitten with a serious neurological condition called hydrocephalus. Zilla knew that Lucy was loved before coming to live with her, but the kitten’s future was uncertain.
Lucy’s new owner, Zilla, anticipated that the kitten would require medicated eye drops due to a congenital condition. However, she grew anxious when Lucy continuously cried during her first few days in the new home. Zilla became increasingly concerned when she noticed that three days had passed without Lucy having a bowel movement.
Zilla brought her new furry friend to the vet who had been providing medical care for Lucy since her birth. She wanted to know why Lucy was constantly crying and required frequent eye drops. The vet informed Zilla that Lucy would require eye drops for her entire life. Zilla also asked about Lucy’s bowel movements, and the vet mentioned that her belly was empty and she was most likely hiding it. After two more days without any bowel movements from Lucy, Zilla decided to seek another opinion and scheduled an appointment with the top veterinarian in her area.
According to Zilla, the owner of Lucy the Batcat, it was discovered that Lucy had not defecated for a few days. However, after receiving treatment from a new veterinarian, Lucy could not control her bowel movements and continuously released feces for over two weeks. As a result, Zilla had to put Lucy in a small baby diaper and hold her constantly.
Despite the challenging situation, Zilla and Lucy developed a unique and meaningful connection. Despite her health issues, Lucy remained joyful and even started recognizing her name. Once Zilla addressed Lucy’s digestive problems, she sought the opinion of a specialist to determine the root cause of Lucy’s eye troubles and explore potential long-term solutions.
Zilla found out that Lucy’s hydrocephalus had affected the shape of her skull, leading to irritation in her corneas due to her eyelids. Fortunately, a skilled veterinarian optometrist managed to rescue her eyes, and now she doesn’t require any eye drops, according to Zilla.
The cute feline named Lucy is doing well despite her condition of hydrocephalus. Her owner, Zilla, keeps a close eye on her to ensure she receives prompt medical attention in case of any head injury. Despite this, Lucy enjoys her life to the fullest and loves gazing at the sea and birds from Zilla’s windows.
According to Zilla, Lucy the Batcat enjoys spending time with humans and going on exciting trips with her family. She is always eager to explore new places and admire the scenery while sitting comfortably in a baby stroller or a bag. In fact, whenever her family plans an outing, Lucy tries to sneak into one of these two items to ensure she doesn’t miss out on the fun.
Lucy, who is featured on lucythebatcat’s Instagram account, seems to be living a great life despite her condition of hydrocephalus. Many people assume that cats with this condition require expensive brain surgeries, leaving euthanasia as the only option for families who cannot afford it. However, Lucy’s story proves otherwise. Though she does require more medical attention than an average cat, it is not always necessary to resort to euthanasia. Zilla, Lucy’s owner, explains that every little thing could become a big problem for her due to her delicate nature, but hydrocephalus is not always fatal.
Zilla has come across individuals who assume that Lucy must be experiencing discomfort or agony due to her unique appearance, despite her being a cat. Additionally, some people consider her unappealing because of her hydrocephalus. Zilla mentions that there are individuals who find Lucy’s deformed head and unusual eyes repulsive and feel that she is not fit to be a companion animal. She also shares that someone who is now one of Lucy’s biggest supporters once had negative thoughts about her upon their initial encounter.
Thanks to the story of Lucy, shared by her owner Zilla, more people are realizing that pets with disabilities can still lead happy lives and give just as much love as other pets, if not more. Zilla hopes that by spreading Lucy’s story to a wider audience, more people will have similar revelations. It’s important to remember that pets with disabilities should not be overlooked, as they still have so much to offer and deserve loving homes just as much as any other pet.
Lucy the cat holds a special place in Zilla’s heart, even though Zilla loves all of her feline companions equally. Zilla’s cats are all unique in their own way, with some being misfits or survivors. Despite their differences, they are all considered family to Zilla. Additionally, one of Zilla’s cats has post-traumatic stress disorder due to past torture as a kitten. However, Zilla’s bond with Lucy only continues to strengthen over time.
The picture posted on Instagram by lucythebatcat is absolutely fabulous!
