What to do if the cat has lost his voice

The most common cause of loss of voice in a cat is mechanical damage to the throat with a foreign object. It can be an ordinary bone, a twig or even a needle. During an injury with such a foreign object there is a chance that not only the larynx, but also the upper respiratory tract and esophagus will suffer. It is very important to keep an eye on what is on your floor and what the cat is playing with. This is a very painful experience that can lead not only to dumbness, but also to other irreversible processes.

Missing voice: reasons, how is it dangerous and how to get it back?

Speech is one of the most important abilities of a person. Voice loss means that we cannot answer the phone, we can not communicate properly with the person we are talking to… But for some people the voice is an integral part of the profession.

The doctor – otorhinolaryngologist of the highest category, candidate of medical sciences – Vladimir Mikhailovich Zaitsev tells in detail about why the voice can disappear and how to fight with such a condition.

Before answering the question, "Where does the voice go?", let's understand how it is formed. The human voice consists of three interconnected parts. The first section is our lungs. This is where sound begins its journey. The process of vocalization begins with the exhalation: that is, we can talk, sing, shout only when the air goes out of the lungs. The air escaping from human lungs meets on its way an obstacle in the form of a larynx and vocal cords.

The vocal cords are located on the mucous membrane of the laryngeal wall. Between them, there are openings called vocal slits. When air passes through these slits, the vocal cords vibrate and the voice is born. In other words, if there were no vocal cords on the larynx, air would flow freely from the lungs through the larynx to the outside, and we simply would not be able to make any sounds.

The third part of the vocal apparatus is the resonators (nasal passages, paranasal sinuses, bronchi, trachea), through which the sound becomes sonorous, soft, deaf, strong, etc.

Having studied the mechanism of voice formation, we can draw a conclusion that the main reason for aphonia (the state of voice loss in medicine) is vocal cord pathology.

So why does the voice disappear? The following diagnoses and conditions can lead to aphonia:

✔️ inflammatory throat diseases affecting the vocal cords, such as laryngitis and laryngotracheitis;

✔️термические or toxic burns to the larynx (e.g. vinegar, chlorine, ammonia, etc.);

The cat has lost its voice.

When a beloved pet is sick, nothing is cute around you, because you want to help the cat in every way possible. However, it feels absolutely helpless, because the pet will not be able to say in words what is wrong. What should you do if you notice, for example, that the cat has lost its voice? Various reasons contribute to this, which it is not always possible to find out right away. But you will need expert help in any case. Why this happens in cats/cats, you will learn from the detailed information below.

There are a variety of causes, ranging from the most innocuous, to serious diseases, even mechanical damage to the larynx due to swallowing a foreign object is possible. However, any symptoms that occur have consequences, so it's important to find out quickly what is keeping your cat from leading a normal life. Read on to learn more about the possible factors that can cause a cat to lose its voice. Additionally, you will learn not only how to eliminate them, but also possible methods to prevent laryngeal problems in a cat.

• If you abuse smoking right in the room where the cat is constantly present, this also affects the cat's voice. Due to the negative effects of smoke on the vocal cords, the larynx dries out, increasing the risk of parallel infectious or viral diseases.
• A cat that has undergone major surgery and is recovering from anesthesia will be silent for a long time due to the fact that the body is very weak.

Angina, otitis media and other infectious diseases

Among the main causes of mute in a pet are all kinds of infectious or viral diseases. A cat can get sick, as well as a person, because viruses are transmitted by airborne droplets. Another point – the disease as a result of a cold already suffered, hypothermia in the street, etc. Read on to learn about common infectious diseases in cats:

What to do if a cat loses its voice: treatment options

If you notice that the pet is a little lethargic, doesn't show his face, doesn't eat well, observe him more closely. Try to examine the cat, gently palpate the neck, perhaps you can find out why he is silent. The right thing to do is to see the veterinarian immediately. However, there are times when access to such a doctor is limited (at night or when you live far from the nearest vet clinic), then you should give first aid and treat the cat at home and take it to the hospital the next morning.

Going to the vet

If you realize that you are unable to treat the pet at home, then go to the veterinarian right away. An experienced specialist will immediately find out what exactly is going on with your cat, identify the causes that caused this condition, and prescribe the necessary treatment. Listen carefully to all of the doctor's recommendations so you can give your pet the right care at home after rehabilitation. How will the doctor be able to help when you come to him/her with your pet's problem:

• If there is mechanical damage to the larynx, the doctor will remove the foreign object and treat the affected tissue. At home, you will need to provide your pet with appropriate rest and care. You may have to treat the wounds with prescription medications – it all depends on the severity of the injury.
• In the case of infections or colds, therapy will be needed, which may sometimes involve injections. It is unlikely that you will be able to give them yourself, so you will need to visit the vet regularly for the necessary treatments.
• Perhaps the vet will just prescribe some pills, which you can use to treat the cat at home.

Examination and treatment at home

At first, you may be able to give first aid to a cat yourself if you notice something wrong with the larynx. In different cases, this help may have a healing effect, or it may just relieve the animal from pain for a while. It all depends on the reasons that led to the loss of the cat's voice. In any case, do not be afraid to help the cat or cat, while you get to the veterinary clinic, take the following measures yourself:

How to help a cat

Helping the cat at home depends on the owner discovering the cause of the loss of the cat's voice:

• if the room is hot, the air is dry, and the cat has no water – he should be given water;
• If the cat has inhaled tobacco smoke, irritating aerosols, paint fumes – you need to get him out into the fresh air as soon as possible and give him milk to bind the toxins;
• if a cat has been howling for a long time before losing its voice – it needs 2 drops of peach oil put into its nose for 5 days to relieve irritation of the laryngeal mucous membrane;
• If the reason is stress, apply sedative preparations: Feliway, Stop-Stress and try to remove the stressor, if possible.

After the first aid, the cat is watched, if the normalization of the condition does not occur – the visit to the doctor is inevitable.
Symptoms in which the cat should be taken to the clinic:

• fever;
• Foreign body in the larynx;
• Laryngeal trauma;
• signs of respiratory failure: difficulty breathing; shortness of breath – increased respiratory rate (the norm for cats is 20-40); blueness of the skin.
• Cough, runny nose, discharge from eyes;
• dehydration caused by: vomiting, diarrhea; blood loss; decompensation of chronic diseases (diabetes mellitus; chronic renal failure).
• refusal of water and food.
• suspected rabies;
• Allergic reaction.

In some cases of voice loss, the cat needs intensive hospital therapy.

In cases of acute stenosis of the larynx due to its edema, delay is unacceptable, it is a life-threatening condition. The pet should be taken as soon as possible to a veterinary clinic, putting a cold compress on the neck area. If corticosteroids and antihistamines are available, they should be administered to increase the chances of getting to the clinic, e.g., Dexamethasone 1-2 mg/kg weight w/v; Dimedrol 1 mg/kg weight w/v. Corticosteroid administration in the face of developing laryngeal edema is necessary even against the background of an existing infectious disease, it is acceptable for vital indications to stabilize the pet's condition when transported to the veterinary hospital.

Factors that lead to voice loss in an animal include:

• Keeping the animal in a room where there is frequent smoking. Cigarette smoke contains high levels of irritating toxic substances that can cause swelling of the larynx in the pet. In this case, the cat often has a hoarse voice.
• Dry environment of the room, apartment, especially during the heating season, provokes irritation and dryness of the laryngeal mucous membrane, hoarseness, and sometimes leads to a total loss of the cat's voice.
• Respiratory poisoning of the animal by toxic fumes of paintwork, organic solvents, disinfectants. Spraying of household aerosols, cosmetics (paints, deodorants, etc.) may also lead to hoarseness in the cat.
• After anesthesia, the animal may become hoarse for a short period of time.

In a situation where the cat has lost its voice, what to do is the first question that the owner of the animal is puzzled about. First of all, it is necessary to closely observe the pet. It is possible that the loss of voice is not the only symptom. You should not put off going to the vet.

If there is no complete loss of voice, but the cat is hoarse, what to do in this situation will also prompt a veterinarian after examining the animal and identifying the causes of hoarseness. If the cause of the symptom is an unfavorable environmental factor (smoky room, strange smells, use of paint substances, etc.), you should take the pet out into the fresh air and give milk to it. After first aid, the pet should be seen by a veterinarian to rule out more dangerous causes of dumbness.

There are many factors and reasons why the cat's voice changes. The owner of the pet should closely monitor the change in the cat's behavior and, if hoarseness or a complete lack of voice is found, take steps to find out the cause of this symptom. Self-treatment of a domestic cat or cat should not be undertaken, as the animal should be assisted by a qualified professional.

Prevention of voice problems

The prevention of aphonia and dysphonia is based on improving the conditions and care of the animal. It includes the following recommendations:

1. Proper sleeping arrangements. Prevent sleeping on cold tiles and drafts. The cat bed should be soft and cozy, and its location should be quiet, dry and warm.
2. Ban walks in cold and damp conditions. Do not let your pet walk in pouring rain or in a snowstorm. Remember that you may only take your dog for a walk in a fenced area without contact with other animals or being hit by a car.
3. Exclusion of bones from the diet and the use of toys safe for animals, devoid of small and fragile parts.
4. Prohibiting smoking in the presence of animals. Regular inhalation of tobacco smoke is extremely dangerous and triggers bronchial asthma.
5. Timely vaccination and treatment against parasites. Rabies is incurable, but vaccination can protect against infection. The same applies to the other viral diseases listed above. Vaccinations against all of these infections are mandatory and are given to kittens up to 4 months of age.
6. Maintain familiar surroundings. Avoid major changes in your pet's life. If you can't prevent exposure to stressful factors (visits to the veterinarian, grooming) – use light sedatives prescribed by your veterinarian.
7. Store potentially dangerous substances safely. Keep medications and household chemicals out of reach and be sure to get rid of any plants that are toxic to cats.
8. Control of drinking regimen. The cat should drink 60-80 ml of fluids per day, and if dry food is consumed, twice the amount eaten.
9. Monitor body weight. Follow the recommended norms and don't neglect playtime. If the cat is not active – try to shake him with your own strength. Remember that overweight is one of the main causes of stroke and other serious diseases.
10. Control the quality and balance of the diet. Many allergies are food allergies. Their occurrence is often provoked by products of dubious quality and food from the human table.

Prevention

Animals with low immunity are most vulnerable to various respiratory and infectious diseases. In order for a cat to boast of good health, the following measures should be taken:

• The room should be periodically damp cleaned and ventilated. Household chemicals and poisonous plants should be removed to a room to which the animal does not have free access.
• A properly balanced diet will help strengthen the cat's immune system. Animals that eat natural food should be periodically supplemented with vitamin and mineral supplements. Dry food should only be of high quality. At the same time, the animal must always have free access to drinking water.
• All mandatory vaccinations must be done in a timely manner. They help to reduce the risk of rabies and other infectious diseases. The first vaccination is given to kittens at two months of age. Adult animals are vaccinated annually.
• Parasitic infestation can lead to a decrease in immunity. That's why it is important to prevent helminth infestation every six months. The tablet is given in the morning on an empty stomach. If the feces came out with helminthes, the procedure is repeated after 10 days. You can get rid of fleas with the help of special shampoos, collars, drops.
• Your pet should be taken to the veterinarian at least once a year for preventive check-ups. This is especially true for older cats, which are most vulnerable to various diseases. In addition, you should periodically examine the cat yourself: check the condition of its teeth, coat and skin.

Thus, if the cat has lost its voice, it may indicate some kind of illness. You should not panic right away. The animal should be closely monitored for some time. If the voice has not returned, or if the animal has other symptoms of the disease, the cat should immediately be seen by a specialist.

It should be noted that some diseases that are accompanied by loss of voice are not only dangerous for the life of the animal itself, but can also be transmitted to its owner. That is why you should not ignore a sudden change in the behavior of the animal.

Reason #7. Unfavorable atmosphere in the house

A cat's voice may change or disappear if he constantly lives in an environment that is unhealthy for him. For example, when the house is often smoked and the air is not ventilated and humidified. All this has a negative effect on the cat's well-being, including its vocal cords.

What to do if the cat has lost its voice

1. Try to find out what has caused it. If the voice has disappeared abruptly and the cat has had an operation under anesthesia the day before or if it has been meowing for too long while talking to another pet – this is most likely the cause. If the reason is not immediately clear, try to remember in detail the events of the day before, observe the cat and look around the house. This will probably give you an idea.
2. The cause is obvious – eliminate it. For example, if the cat inhaled paint yesterday, try to do everything you can to eliminate the "root of the evil. Take the cat to a place where there are no toxic smells, and ventilate the room. Make sure in advance that the cat has no access to an open window.
3. If the cause is not clear, see your veterinarian. In most cases it is safer to go to the vet: he will tell you exactly why the cat has lost its voice and how exactly it should be restored. You should definitely go to the vet if the cat has any other symptoms: vomiting, lethargy, excessive salivation, swollen mucous membranes. A trip to the vet is also ideal if your cat's voice has gone suddenly, but there are no signs of illness and no strange things happened the day before.

Let your cat meow cheerfully, purr gently and hiss with excitement. Good health to your cat!

How to find out the cause

• Examine your cat, especially its throat;
• Take his temperature;
• make sure that the cat has or does not have other symptoms;
• Evaluate the influence of external causes:
  • heat;
  • Lack of drinking water; – Presence of poisonous or irritating substances in the air
  • presence of poisonous or irritating substances in the air;
  • Stressors.

  In cases where the cause of voice loss is not obvious and the general condition of the cat is disturbed, a veterinarian should be consulted.

  

  If the cause of the cat's voice loss is not obvious, a veterinarian should be consulted

  In the conditions of the veterinary clinic, the doctor examines the cat, interviews its owner and applies additional methods of examination:

  • general blood test – in infectious processes the number of white blood cells increases, in allergies – eosinophils, in dehydration the hematocrit index increases and there is a relative increase in all blood cells;
  • urinalysis – there may be increased leukocytes in mycoplasma-infected bladder, glucosuria in diabetes mellitus or low urine density and specific gravity in chronic renal failure;
  • Biochemical blood test – increased levels of urea and creatinine in renal failure, increased glucose levels in diabetes mellitus, increased levels of liver transaminases (ALAT, ASAT) in toxic hepatitis due to poisoning;
  • laryngoscopy – conducted under sedation, allows you to assess the appearance of the laryngeal mucosa and its movement in the phases of breathing. Allows you to confirm the presence of inflammation, tumors, paresis of the laryngeal muscles, remove a foreign body;
  • microlaryngoscopy – maximum detailed examination of the laryngeal mucosa, when the operating microscope is connected to the laryngoscope and the image is displayed on the screen;
  • Laryngeal cartilage ultrasound – additionally allows to clarify the structure and movements of the laryngeal cartilage; the method is highly accurate and safe;
  • Chest X-ray – often prescribed to assess the condition of the bronchi and lungs, especially in laryngitis, since breathing difficulties when inhaling are characteristic of both developing laryngeal edema and bronchospasm in bronchial asthma;
  • Abdominal ultrasound – may be prescribed when changes in the biochemical blood count are detected to visualize the structure of the internal organs and assess blood flow in them;
  • histological examination of a tissue sample – in the presence of tumor formations of the larynx or the need to clarify the nature of the inflammatory process.

  How to help a cat

  Help for a cat at home depends on the reason for the loss of voice, as discovered by the cat's owner:

  • If the room is hot, the air is dry, and the cat has no water – it should be watered;
  • If a cat has inhaled tobacco smoke, irritating aerosols, paint fumes – you need to take him out into the fresh air as soon as possible and give him milk to bind the toxins;
  • if a cat has been howling for a long time before it has lost its voice – it needs 2 drops of peach oil put into its nose for 5 days to remove irritation of the throat mucous membrane;
  • If the reason is stress, apply sedative preparations: Feliway, Stop-Stress and try to remove the stressor, if possible.

  After the first aid, the cat is watched, if the normalization of the condition does not occur – a visit to the doctor is inevitable.

  • fever;
  • foreign body in the larynx;
  • laryngeal trauma;
  • signs of respiratory failure:
    • difficulty in breathing;
    • dyspnea – increase in respiratory rate (the norm for cats is 20-40);
    • lividity of the skin.
    • Vomiting, diarrhea;
    • blood loss;
    • decompensation of chronic diseases:
      • diabetes mellitus;
      • chronic renal insufficiency.

      

      In some cases of voice loss, the cat needs intensive hospital therapy

      In cases of acute stenosis of the larynx due to its swelling – delay is unacceptable, it is a life-threatening condition. The pet should be taken to a veterinary clinic as soon as possible, with a cold compress on the neck area. If corticosteroids and antihistamines are available, they should be administered to increase the chances of getting to the clinic, e.g., Dexamethasone 1-2 mg/kg weight w/v; Dimedrol 1 mg/kg weight w/v. A corticosteroid should be administered in the face of developing laryngeal edema, even in the face of an existing infectious disease, it is acceptable for vital indications to stabilize the pet's condition when transported to the veterinary hospital.

      How can I soothe my cat's throat?

      You should make an appointment with your veterinarian if your cat shows signs of illness or discomfort. If the veterinarian finds that your cat is struggling with an infection, he may prescribe corticosteroids and antibiotics to help manage it.

      If your cat has a respiratory infection, the cat may also refuse to eat because he cannot smell it.

      If your cat has a respiratory infection, try offering her slightly warm (but not hot) food. Warm food tends to give off more odor and will be more tempting to a sick cat. Mix a little warm water with soft food to create a softer version that will be pleasing to their throat.

      Is laryngitis contagious?

      Cats with upper respiratory infections are contagious to pets, but not to people. If you have more than one cat in the house, we recommend separating kittens with laryngitis from their congeners until they are cleared by a veterinarian. One sneeze can infect other cats in your home with the virus that causes laryngitis. This is true even if all the cats have all the necessary vaccinations.

      There are a few things you can do to make your isolated cat feel as comfortable as possible while she recovers. Provide a quiet and warm place to rest. Give plenty of water and wet food (as above). If the cat has a stuffy nose, a humidifier may help. Do not stop giving the cat prescribed medication, even if it seems to have recovered.