Expert: Charlotte Sherrell, DVM - 9/18/2008

Question
Yesterday, we came home after all day at work to find the gas stove leaking slightly - the burner somehow was not turned all the way off. The house is vented all day with fans blowing but my four cats were here in it all day and it was a rather warm day. They for the most part seem unaffected but my 2 year old female tortie seems a little sedate and her voice seems very quiet where it's usually very loud and she talks a lot.  Is it possible the gas leak affected her throat. Are there hidden dangers that we should be looking for? Everyone is eating fine and no one is sick that I can tell save her quietness.

Answer
Susan -

Because I am not a specialist in the area of poison exposure, I cannot tell you the effects of gas on the vocal cords. I do suggest that you have bloodwork done on that particular kitty because she may have received the most exposure to the gas leak.

Best Regards,

Charlotte Sherrell, DVM