Super cat called Maggie can detect epileptic seizures eight hours before they happen

Molly paid £300 for pedigree Maggie, a four-month-old Persian kitten and within weeks Molly – who can’t work due to her condition – noticed that Maggie’s behavior would change before a seizureA woman with epilepsy says her cat can detect her seizures eight hours before they occur.Molly Brooke, 30, can experience up to nine epilepsy attacks a week, leaving her body stiff and an “uncontrollable tingling” in her arms and legs.After being diagnosed with the condition aged eight, Molly has struggled to manage her condition – until her feline friend came along.In September 2023, Molly paid £300 for pedigree Maggie, a four-month-old Persian kitten.Within weeks, Molly, who can’t work due to her condition, noticed that Maggie’s behaviour would change just before a seizure.Molly, who lives in assisted living, in Birmingham, said: “I got her as a companion but she’s turned out to be so much more.“Within the first week of having her, I noticed she’d go into manic mode and become playful by running around working all her energy.“Then she calmed down completely and went into monitor mode, not leaving my side. If I got up to leave the room to get a cup of tea, she’d follow me.“When this kept happening, it clicked that she was looking out for me because cats can sense chemical changes in our bodies.“During my seizures, she’ll lie on my arm and encourage me to stroke her – like she’s trying to distract me. This is all her choice, she’s just acting on instinct.‘’It’s so touching that she is looking out for me.”After an early diagnosis, as a young woman, Molly struggled with socializing and going out alone due to the severity of her symptoms.After arranging for Maggie to be delivered to her, she started picking up on her owner’s condition ‘’almost immediately’’.“Cats have around 30 receptors in their nose which means Maggie can pick up on chemical changes in my body,’’ Molly said.“This enables her to alert me in her special way. Sometimes she’s way ahead of me and knows up to eight hours before my seizure.“When they happen – which is usually in my sleep – she’ll put her head up to mine. Her affection helps take my mind off what’s happening to me and is very calming.“But being near or sitting in my lap when having a seizure, she helps stabilise my movement. She’s the best cat I could’ve hoped for and my very best friend.” Source: dailystar.co.uk, Holly Meu-Yu Stafford