Finding out that your otherwise vocal cat has lost its voice or is a little hoarse can be shocking to a lot of people. It can be a random, totally out of the blue occurrence, but when a cat loses its voice, it can make any cat owner worry.
If you have clicked on this article then you are probably wondering what has made your cat’s voice hoarse, well below you’ll find a few reasons.
Reasons why your cat lost its voice :
1. Too much meowing
First of all if your cat is particularly vocal and loud it could have just simply meowed itself hoarse. You may have not heard it as it could have happened overnight or while you were at work. Whatever the case may be you needn’t worry too much as it will go back to normal after a while.
2. Rabies
Another reason why your kitty’s voice might be gone is rabies. If you think there has been a chance that your cat has been in contact with a rabid animal you should take them to the vet immediately so that they can resolve the issue in time.
3. Upper respiratory infection
Your cat may be having an upper respiratory infection, URI for short. This often results in laryngitis, which more often than not causes hoarseness.
Additionally to that, your cat may be showing signs of a weakness, runny nose, sneezing, watery nose, lack of appetite, even a yellowish or green discharge from the nose. If so take them to the vet so that they can prescribe the needed medication or antibiotics.
4. Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism is a condition characterized with overactive thyroid glands and is a pretty common form of ailment found in older cats which can cause hoarseness and even weight loss in some.
If your cat’s condition fits these criteria then it is recommended that you take them to the vet for a check up and some blood tests.
5. Laryngeal paralysis
One of the more serious conditions on this list is called laryngeal paralysis. This means that there is nerve damage done to the larynx or voice box which prevents it from working properly when your cat wants to meow or even breathe.
This is a serious condition that needs immediate medical attention. Other symptoms to this may include: weight loss, coughing, difficulty when eating or struggling to catch their breath.
6. Your cat may have lost its voice because of developed growth
Many types of growths can develop in the throat of felines, particularly around the vocal cords, that cause benign tumors or polyps, but sometimes that can result in a form of cancer.
Some symptoms of this, along with hoarseness of course, include: sneezing, coughing, a changed vocal sound, and persistent ear infections. If you suspect that your cat may have some growths developing in their throat then take them to the vet so a diagnosis can be given accordingly.
As you see, there can be multiple reasons your cat lost its voice. Sometimes the cause can be easily verified by the owner from the persisting symptoms, but for the safety of your pet, it’s best if a vet gives the diagnosis.
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