If your normally vocal kitty has suddenly become a little hoarse you are probably wondering what has caused this sudden silence…
1. Prolonged meowing Sometimes your cat has just meowed themselves silent for a little while. Perhaps it has been during the night or whilst you’ve been at work, but in any case, their meow should return to normal after a little while.
2. Rabies Rabies causes hoarseness so if you think there’s been even a slight chance of your cat being in contact with a rabid animal take them to the vet immediately so they can investigate.
3. Upper Respiratory Infection Upper Respiratory Infections (URI), which often results in laryngitis, can cause hoarseness. In addition to hoarseness, if your cat is displaying a runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing, lack of appetite, lethargy, or yellow or green discharge from the eyes or nose, take them to the vet so medication such as antibiotics can be prescribed.
4. Hyperthyroidism Hyperthyroidism or overactive thyroid glands, is a common ailment in older cats which can cause hoarseness along with weight loss. If you suspect this is the cause for your cat’s lack of meow, take them to the vet so blood tests can be performed.
5. Laryngeal paralysis This is when nerve damage of the larynx or voice box is caused preventing it from working properly when your cat wishes to breath or meow. It’s a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention. Accompanying symptoms include: coughing, weight loss, difficulty eating and struggling for breath.
6. Growths Growths can develop on the throat, particularly the vocal cords, causing benign tumours or polyps – however sometimes it can result in throat cancer. Symptoms along with hoarseness include: changed vocal sound, sneezing, coughing and persistent ear infections. If you are suspicious that your cat has growths developing – take them to the vet so a diagnosis (often via a biopsy) can be given.
