08/28/2026
Cecil’s neurologist found something on his MRI so rare in cats that most people will never hear of it, let alone meet a kitten living with it. And suddenly, so many of Cecil’s bizarre symptoms make sense.
This 3-month-old ginger boy came to us because it was clear that something neurological was going on. He walks with an unusual, wide-based gait, especially in his back legs. His vision is limited on one side. He sometimes bats at things that aren’t there, almost as if he is seeing phantom objects. His behavior can also change dramatically. At times he is incredibly affectionate and wants nothing but love. At other times, he growls, hisses, bites at himself, or lashes out at the people around him.
His MRI finally gave us some answers.
Cecil has lissencephaly, a rare congenital brain malformation that literally means “smooth brain.” During development, the surface of the brain is supposed to form all of the normal folds and grooves that allow the cerebral cortex to develop and organize properly. Cecil’s brain did not develop normally, leaving parts of his cerebral cortex abnormally smooth and organized.
The cerebral cortex is responsible for things like vision, behavior, awareness, movement, and processing what is happening around him. Cecil’s strange visual episodes, limited vision, unusual gait, and dramatic behavioral changes can all be connected to the way his brain developed.
There is no treatment that can make a lissencephalic brain develop normally but he’s not in any pain. Cecil’s brain will always be different. Right now, our job is to learn what his version of normal looks like and figure out what support he will need.
One of our biggest concerns going forward will be seizures, which can occur with lissencephaly. We will also be watching his behavior, vision, mobility, and overall quality of life closely. The MRI gives us a diagnosis, but it cannot tell us exactly what Cecil’s future will look like. We have to let Cecil show us that over time.
For now, he is here, he is safe, and we finally understand a little more about what is happening inside that very unusual brain of his.
Cecil’s MRI, specialty care, and hospitalization have added another significant medical bill at a time when Kitkat Playroom is already carrying an enormous amount of emergency veterinary debt. If you would like to help cover Cecil’s care, all donations are being DOUBLED right now.
Donate here: https://donorbox.org/savekkp
Every donation made during the match goes twice as far toward Cecil and the other medically complicated kittens depending on us. Thank you for continuing to make this care possible.
