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Cats/cat voice change
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QUESTION: Hello Norman,
Over he last 3 or 4 days my talkative kitty's voice seems to have changed, like he has a sore throat. In addition to that, his sleeping pattern has changed from nightime, to morning and late night. We let him outside during the day and he loves being out there, so I find it strange that he'd want to sleep. I can only assume that it and the sore throat are part of an illness.
My parents are not paying attention or bothering to take him to the vets, so I'd like your opinion to see if it really is serious.
Thank you.
ANSWER: Kari,
Is your boy been neutered? What is his age? If he has not been neutered and is at teenage hood (7-15 months), some of his behavior change may be due to reaching puberty and he should be neutered. You also need to explain to me exactly what you mean by his voice changing?
The voice changing may be nothing, and cats normally do not get sore throat problems like we do, however any change in behavior that cannot be explained by normal means merits a visit to a vet.
Best regards... Norm.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: He's 3 or so years old and yes he is neutered. At this point his sleeping pattern seems to be normal as he's going back outside during the day. However, I have heard little improvement with his voice. I guess the word to describe it is crackled, like he's tired/sick, or something.
Thanks.
Kari,
Unless he has more symptoms, like lethargy, coughing, sneezing, not eating, or the like, I would see if his voice comes back normally. If he begins to exhibit any of the symptoms I listed above or has any other chnages in behavior, it is off to the vet with him. He may have had some kind of problem in his throat and may just get over it on his own. This is preferable to stuffing him with a lot of meds if he seems to be OK on all other counts.
Best regards... Norm.
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Answers by Expert:
Norman Auspitz
Expertise
I can answer most non-veterinary questions about cats. My particular expertise is pedigree cats, breeding and showing. However, I am versed in feline behavior, cat breeds and their characteristics, general feline husbandry, and the like.
Experience
I judged for the Canadian Cat Association from 1975 until 1982. I am currently an approved allbreed judge for the Cat Fanciers'' Association (the world''s largets cat registry), and have been judging for them since 1991. I have been breeding pedigreed cats since 1971 and have been exhibiting pedigreed cats in shows since 1970. I obtained my first pedigreed cat in 1970 and have never looked back. In 1971, I obtained my first Abyssinian which has become my primary breed. In addition, I have bred Manx and Persians. Currently, besides the Abyssinians, I am also breeding Maine Coons.
Organizations
Cat Fanciers'' Association, inc. (CFA) and the Manx, Maine Coon, and Abyssinian breed councils. I am currently Abyssinian breed council secretary.
Publications
Cat Fancy Magazine, The Abyssinian Chapter in The Cat Fanciers'' Association Complete Cat Book, and Articles for various editions of The Cat Fanciers'' Association Yearbook
Education/Credentials
I received a B.S. from Drexel University in 1968, a M.Math from University of Waterloo, in 1970, a Ph.D. from University of Waterloo in 1975, and a MBA from McMaster University in 1980. I received my approved allbreed judging status in the Cat Fanciers'' Association in 1999.
Awards and Honors
We have produced a number of Cat Fanciers'' Association (CFA) National winning Abyssinian and Maine Coons. We have produced a number of Abyssinian and Maine Coon Distinguished Merit females (an award for a top producing cat), including the first Distinguished Merit Abyssinian in the red (sorrel) color. I am the CFA Abyssinian breed council secretary and belong and/or hold office in a number of cat clubs. I am also a member of the CFA Judges Association.
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