What makes a cat hoarse

Facebook Twitter Shop Emergencies. Can a cat get laryngitis? What causes cat laryngitis? Cat laryngitis is often the result of infectious diseases such as upper respiratory infections cat cold or URI , calicivirus, or rhinotracheitis however there are a number of other conditions that can cause your cat to lose their voice including: Inhaled irritants, such as smoke or dust Blockage in the larynx Object lodged in the throat Paralysis of laryngeal nerve Hyperthyroidism Growth in the throat benign, cancerous Eosinophilic granuloma complex Throat cancer What are the most common cat laryngitis symptoms?

The symptoms of laryngitis that your cat displays will depend upon the underlying cause but may include: Changes in your cat's vocalizations Dry, harsh cough that may be painful Noisy breathing Lowered head while standing Open mouth Difficulty swallowing High-pitched breathing Increased effort to breathe Bad breath If your cat's laryngitis is being caused by a virus or cat cold you may also notice symptoms of a common cold such as: Watery eyes Discharge from eyes Runny nose Sneezing Loss of appetite Lack of energy If your cat is showing any of the symptoms listed above a trip to the vet is in order.

What is the typical cat laryngitis treatment? Treatment for your kitty's laryngitis will depend upon the underlying cause.

Has your cat lost their voice? Contact us today to book an examination for your feline friend. Our South Charlotte vets can provide a fast diagnosis and effective treatment for your cat's laryngitis. Looking for a vet in Charlotte? Contact Us. Related Articles View All Why is my cat limping? What should I do? My cat won't eat! Article Summary. Method 1. Take your cat to a veterinarian.

If your cat is extremely hoarse or has lost its voice completely, you should have it checked out by a veterinarian. A veterinarian will be able to inspect the cat's throat and vocal chords in order to find the cause. It is likely that your veterinarian will ask you about the cat's symptoms first. Then they will do an examination of the cat.

Your veterinarian may have to do a variety of tests on the cat, including blood tests and imaging tests to look internally at its throat. These tests may require your cat to be put under anesthesia. Remove any stuck items from your cat's throat. Your veterinarian may find that your cat has gotten something stuck in its throat, and that's causing the hoarseness.

For instance, it is not uncommon for cats to swallow thread with the needle still attached, and then this gets stuck somewhere. Your veterinarian can treat the problem by carefully removing whatever foreign item is there.

Treat any infections present. If your veterinarian discovers that your cat has some sort of infection, such as those associated with viral upper respiratory infections or obstructive inflammatory laryngeal disease, then they will suggest treatment options. With most cases, medication will be prescribed to eliminate the infection. Have growths removed. If your veterinarian finds growths or tumors have caused your cat's hoarseness, they will typically suggest surgical removal and treatment with medicine.

Discuss your veterinarian's treatment plan and why they are suggesting it. Treatment depends on what type of tumor your cat has and where it is located, but in most cases includes removal followed by radiation therapy or chemotherapy.

Have hyperthyroidism treated. Hyperthyroidism is a problem with the thyroid that results in an overproduction of hormones. It usually occurs when there is a tumor on the thyroid. Hoarseness is a known symptom of hyperthyroidism in cats. In order to eliminate the hoarseness, the hyperthyroidism needs to be treated. This is usually done with either medication, surgery, or radioactive-iodine therapy.

Depending on the severity of your cat's hyperthyroidism, your veterinarian may suggest one, two, or all three types of treatment. Have your cat evaluated for allergies. Just like people, cats can become allergic to things in the environment, such as pollen and dust mites. This can make their throat sore, which can cause hoarseness. Ask your veterinarian which medications they recommend you give your cat for managing allergies.

Treat laryngeal paralysis. Laryngeal paralysis is a rare condition in cats, but it can be the cause of hoarseness. When the larynx is paralyzed, the cat is unable to vocalize and breathing can be compromised. At times, cancerous formations occurring in the surrounding regions of the throat can pinch the nerves of the larynx and silence the vocal cords.

If this happens, then the white cells will attack the nerve and injure it, thus limiting its ability to send impulses to the vocal cords and larynx. Therefore, in case your cat is suffering from a muscle disorder, then the condition will block the neuromuscular junction and result in voice changes or loss.

With a few exceptions, most of the conditions that lead to voice changes are manageable. You usually would think that it was annoying, but not a serious health issue. Common reasons why your cat experiences voice changes Voice changes in felines usually indicate that there is either a mechanical interference with the process or that there could be a lack of stimulation of the nerves associated with the vocal cords.

The mechanical and neurological interferences responsible for this situation include: Trauma If the cat experiences a severe injury in the neck area, then it could interfere with the vocal cord function.

Abscesses The reason why you should reconsider allowing your cat roam around free in your backyard is that the bones from the little animals they catch and eat could become lodged in the tonsils, larynx or throat and cause swelling.