Laryngitis in Cats

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(Freepik.com)

Has your favorite feline lost her usual voice of late? Has she been sounding somewhat hoarse? If her “meow” is now more of a squeak, a scratchy rasp, or, worse still, total silence, the reason could be laryngitis.

 

A cat’s larynx or “voice box” enables her to vocalize, and should some underlying condition affect her larynx, it will, of course, impact her ability to “meow” normally. Laryngitis is often caused by diseases such as upper respiratory infections (URI’s or “cat colds”), calicivirus or rhinotracheitis. There are also other conditions that can cause her sudden voice loss, including: inhaled irritants (e.g. dust and/or smoke), a blockage in her larynx, an object lodged in her throat, paralysis of a laryngeal nerve, hyperthyroidism, a growth in her throat, eosinophilic granuloma complex and cancer of the throat.

 

Besides “losing her voice,” some of the symptoms she may also exhibit include: a dry, harsh cough that may seem painful, noisy breathing, a lowered head when standing, an open mouth, difficulty swallowing, high-pitched or raspy breathing, an increased or obvious effort to breathe and noticeably bad breath.

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Should a virus or “cat cold” be the culprit, you may also notice that your cat has watery eyes, a discharge from her eyes, a runny nose, sneezing, a loss of appetite and a lack of energy.

 

Should your cat exhibit any of the above-mentioned symptoms, please bring her to your vet for a thorough examination, diagnosis and, ultimately, a treatment plan. Bear in mind, though, that a sore throat can also cause breathing difficulties and the inability to eat — both of which still require immediate vet care.  (Freepik.com)

If, for example, your vet detects a buildup of fluid in your cat’s larynx, a diuretic may be prescribed for her. If she’s showing visible signs of pain, your vet may prescribe a mild painkiller to help ease her discomfort. If there’s a foreign body lodged in her throat, surgery may or may not be required to remove it. Then, once the object is removed, she should be able to merrily “meow meow meow” again. If her laryngitis is caused by eosinophilic granuloma complex, your cat may be treated for parasites since this condition is often an exaggerated immune response to insect bites. Corticosteroids or steroids may also be prescribed for her.

Increasing the moisture in your home through the use of a humidifier or a vaporizer is one of the best ways to help your cat feel more comfortable as she recovers from laryngitis, whatever the cause. Gently clean away any eye or nasal discharge from her face using a warm, damp cloth throughout the day. Cleanse and soothe her watery eyes by applying a saline solution with gauze pads to them, especially if her condition is the result of a “cat cold.”

 

Consider boosting her immune system both by improving her diet and by adding various, specific supplements to it – again, following the recommendations of your vet.

(Freepik.com)