Why Did My Cat Lose His Voice?
Jul 25,2024 | puaintapets
If a kitten suddenly loses its voice, its behavior and symptomatic changes should be closely observed. The causes may be upper respiratory tract infection, pharyngolaryngitis, tracheitis, laryngeal fatigue or injury due to excessive yowling, and a foreign body in the throat. Medications should not be given to cats without a clear diagnosis. Assessing the overall health of the kitten, including age, weight and duration of symptoms, as well as observing its mental state and daily behavioral changes, are important diagnostic steps. If the kitten shows signs of fever, the temperature should be measured accurately. Management of suspected colds and pharyngitis usually involves the use of anti-inflammatory drugs and purgatives. The development of an individualized treatment plan, attention to dietary and environmental modifications in the kitten, and possible barf feeding are all important aspects of the recovery period.
concrete symptom
This is manifested by a muffled voice, inability to make sounds, dry heaving and depression in cats. There may even be difficulty breathing, coughing, sneezing, runny nose, loss of appetite, decreased water intake and abnormal defecation behavior.
Causes of Cat Voice Loss
- The kitten has a throat disease or inflammation. Viral or bacterial infections may cause inflammation of the throat, which can affect vocalization.
- A foreign object that a cat accidentally swallows, such as a fish splinter or bone, may become lodged in the throat and block the production of sound.
- Cats may experience a stress reaction when frightened or under prolonged stress, resulting in tension and swelling of the throat.
- Colds or respiratory infections.
- Obese cats are prone to respiratory illnesses that can affect vocalizations.
- Prolonged excessive purring or other causes may lead to damage to the vocal cords.
- Cats with gastrointestinal problems may keep their mouths open and vomit, leading to hoarse purring.
If your cat's loss of voice is accompanied by other symptoms, such as loss of appetite, difficulty breathing, sneezing, runny nose, etc., you should take your cat to the veterinarian for examination and treatment.
Treatment Measures
When your cat loses its voice, you first need to assess its overall health. Possible causes include upper respiratory infections, laryngitis, tracheitis, laryngeal fatigue or injury due to excessive yowling, and foreign objects in the throat. It is not advisable to give your cat medication arbitrarily without a clear diagnosis.
1.Observe the kitten's mental state and appetite.
You need to pay attention to your cat's mental state, appetite, body temperature and any symptoms such as coughing.
2.Measure the kitten's temperature and check for coughing.
Use a mercury thermometer to measure temperature through the anus to obtain accurate data.
3.Appropriate use of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs.
If the cat refuses oral medication, consider using an anti-inflammatory medication available in the home, such as doxycycline, given orally at a dose of 10 mg per kilogram of body weight once daily.
4. Provide sufficient water and suitable environment.
Provide a safe, clean living environment that reduces the risk of injury or illness
5.Pay attention to dietary adjustments and feeding methods.
Provide easily digestible, nutrient-rich foods and ensure adequate water intake.
6.Barf feeding methods.
Barf (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) feeding is a feeding method that mimics a cat's natural diet, emphasizing the provision of high-quality meats, organs, and bones, as well as a moderate amount of plant-based ingredients. This diet helps to enhance the overall health of the cat, including the strengthening of the immune system, thus potentially preventing upper respiratory tract infections due to immunocompromise.
Dietary modifications
When a cat loses its voice, dietary modifications are very important because a proper diet can help relieve throat discomfort and promote recovery. Here are some suggestions for dietary adjustments for cats with voice loss.
- Kittens losing their voices can be due to dehydration leading to a dry throat, so it's vital to make sure your cat is well hydrated. You can help keep your cat's throat moist by providing running water or using a humidifier to increase the humidity in the room.
- Provide kittens with food that is easy to swallow. Choosing food that is soft in texture and easy to chew, such as wet cat food or cooked meats, can reduce the burden on the throat.
- Supplement your kitten with nutrients and make sure your cat's food contains enough protein and vitamins, which are important for maintaining a healthy immune system and promoting wound healing.
- If your cat's loss of voice persists or is accompanied by other symptoms, you should consult your veterinarian for professional diagnosis and treatment advice.
Appropriate amount of exercise
Moderate exercise for cats is essential to maintain their health and reduce hoarseness. The right amount of exercise can help cats keep their muscles strong and reduce health problems caused by obesity or lack of energy, as well as improve the function of their immune system and reduce the risk of disease.
1.Developing an Exercise Program
Toys such as cat scratching boards, feather sticks, and laser pointers can be used to engage in interactive play with cats to stimulate their hunting instincts and interest in exercise. Cats do have a high sensitivity to odors and they may react to certain strong smells. Therefore it is important to avoid possible irritants or odors in the home, and use some sprays to remove odors from the home or new toys as appropriate.
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2.Managing the intensity and duration of your cat's exercise
Adjust the intensity and duration of exercise according to your cat's age, breed and health. Younger and more active cats may need more exercise, while older cats or those with health problems will need more gentle activities. Schedule at least 15 to 30 minutes of active, interactive play each day, as well as free time to explore and play throughout the day.
3.Rest and Recovery
After exercise, make sure the cat has enough rest time and a quiet environment to recover its strength. Avoid forcing cats to perform strenuous exercise when they are fatigued or sick, so as not to cause additional physical burden.
By doing the above, you can help your cat establish a regular exercise routine that will reduce the risk of hoarseness and promote his overall health. Remember to always observe your cat's reaction when implementing an exercise program to ensure that it is both safe and fun.
Protective Measure
To prevent kittens from losing their voices, provide a quiet, comfortable environment that reduces stress and anxiety. Regular health checks with the kitten can prevent some potential health problems. At the same time, keeping the environment warm and comfortable, minimizing direct air blowing and excessive cold and heat will help maintain the health of the kitten's throat.
- Helps cats relieve stress by providing a safe haven and reducing external stimuli.
- Reducing noise and stress helps cats stay calm and avoid purring due to environmental changes.
- Help cats manage their emotions through your companionship and positive interactions to avoid purring out of anger or loneliness.
- Try to give your cat plenty of rest to avoid vocalization being affected by fatigue.
Through the above measures, you can effectively prevent your cat from losing its voice and maintain its physical and mental health. If your cat develops voice loss or other abnormal symptoms, you should consult your veterinarian for professional diagnosis and treatment.
Conclusion
When cats show symptoms of loss of voice, owners do not need to be overly worried, first you need to determine the cause of the loss of voice, then closely monitor the overall health of the cat, pay attention to whether there are other symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, etc., and flexibly adjust the way of caring for the cat according to the cat's specific response, adjusting the diet, providing a comfortable environment, taking the cat for regular health checkups, and consulting with a veterinarian if necessary, these behaviors will help the cat to recover health more quickly.