You are here:
- Home
- Animals/Pets
- Cats
- Cats
- Can a cat lose her voice?
Cats/Can a cat lose her voice?
Advertisement
Question
Until recently, I had never come across this problem. One of my cats is a 6 year old Siamese-Mau crossbreed. She typically has the voice of a Siamese but just last night when I let her inside, she didn't have her voice. She tried to meow several times, but all that came out was a cracked and raspy 'oew' noise. It really sounds like she lost her voice somehow. She's still active and acts like she usually does. She's just very quiet.
Hi Alaric. Cats can indeed lose their voices. Occasionally, this can be caused by polyps or other growths, but cats can get laryngitis just like people can. And as with people, it's caused by an infection. Sometimes the infection is viral, and it passes within a couple of days. In my experience, though, laryngitis is almost always bacterial and requires antibiotics to clear up. You could choose to wait it out for a couple days and see if she recovers on her own, but if it hasn't resolved in a few days or if she develops additional symptoms, such as cough, lethargy, social withdrawal or refusal to eat, she should get to a vet right away.
Hope she's feeling better soon!
Jessica
Related Articles
- Full Product Review - Cats and Dogs Movie
- Have you ever adopted a cat online - Share your experiences
- Have you had to put a cat to sleep because of the rising costs of veterinary treatment
- How do we train our previously indoor cats to go outdoors - Litter Box FAQ
- What You Can Do for Feral Cats - Part 3 of 3 by Guest Writer Stray Cat
Answers by Expert:
Jessica
Expertise
The areas in which I have gained the most experience are cat health and feral cat management/rescue. I provide supportive care to chronically ill cats, hospice care to terminally ill cats and also am involved in trap-neuter-return efforts. My specialities lie in taming feral cats and in the allopathic treatment of cats with illnesses or special needs. I also have owned Siamese, Himalayans, Abyssinians, Russian Blues, Savannahs, Bengals, Peterbalds, Don Sphynx and Oriental Shorthairs and am well-versed in cat breeds as well as cat behavior and nutrition.
Experience
I have 15 years of extensive experience with cats ranging from breeding to medical care. My daily routine consists of caring for cats with diabetes, thyroid disease, kidney failure, feline leukemia, feline AIDS as well as feral cats. I have experience with liver patients, heart patients, feline infectious peritonitis, cancer, recovery from amputation and trauma, congenital deformities and most every disease in between. I have assisted cats giving birth and hand-nursed kittens who were neglected by their mother from 2 days old through weaning.
Education/Credentials
15 years' hands-on experience
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.