My 8 year old female cat has ALWAYS been EXTREMELY agressive towards other animals, so much so that she has actually "attacked" her own reflection in the mirror! Since we live on a boat we usually dont have to many "animal encounters" About two weeks ago my spouse and i were awakened in the middle of the nite by our cat howling and growling at herself in a mirror which she was newly able to see herself in due to some coushins that were stacked in a new area...this went on for 3 nites and now she "sees" her reflection EVERYWHERE! and she has been growling hissing and lunging at us regularly! She still comes to sleep with us but 15 hours of the day shes growling and threating us! Shes usually very affectionate and my spouse is talking about sending her ro a shelter!!! My cat has apent her entire life on the boat and even if she could adapt to life on land i dont think i could adapt to life without her!!!! Please help!!!