Laryngitis in cats is similar to the condition in humans and signifies a loss of voice in your pet. This happens due to inflammation in their throat and vocal cords, usually indicating an underlying issue. Our Diamond Bar veterinarians provide insights on recognizing, causes, and treating cat laryngitis.
Laryngitis in cats occurs when their voice box, called the larynx, gets inflamed due to various diseases. This can make your cat's meow quieter than usual and might cause discomfort or pain when they try to 'speak.'
Detecting this condition can be easy or tricky, depending on your cat's personality and breed, as some cats are naturally more vocal than others.
Cat Laryngitis Symptoms
Beyond a raspy and quiet meow, there are a wide variety of symptoms that can indicate your kitty is suffering from the effects of laryngitis. These can include:
- Wheezing breaths and obvious difficulty inhaling
- A harsh or dry cough
- A runny nose
- Noisy breathing
- Bad breath
- Fever
- Their mouth hanging open
- Difficulty swallowing
- Hyper-excitability
- Panting
- Reduced activity or lethargy
The specific symptoms your cat will experience when they suffer from laryngitis will depend almost entirely on the condition they are experiencing, which is causing the inflammation of their voice box.
Cat Laryngitis Causes
Inflammation around your cat's larynx can stem from various causes, including infections, diseases, and physical obstructions. Some potential reasons for cat laryngitis are:
- Growth in the throat
- Paralysis of the laryngeal nerve
- Inflammation or infection in your cat's chest
- Inhaled irritants like dust or smoke
- Hormonal deficiencies
- Upper respiratory tract infections
- Hyperthyroidism
- Physical obstructions in the larynx
- Trauma
- Cancer
Since the causes of this condition can be quite wide-ranging, it can actually be quite difficult for your veterinarians to pin down its exact cause unless it's pretty obvious.
Diagnosing Cat Laryngitis
Your vet will begin by thoroughly examining your cat to understand any potential reasons for its laryngitis. Following this, they'll suggest tests to identify the main cause. These tests could include x-rays, bloodwork, and endoscopy to check for physical blockages or growths.
Cat Laryngitis Treatments
Once your cat's condition is diagnosed, the vet will create a personalized treatment plan. Depending on how serious the issue is, the treatment could range from a few days of rest to medications like antibiotics, steroids, or even surgery. The vet will give you clear instructions for taking care of your cat at home.
This might involve increasing the humidity in their surroundings to prevent throat dryness, which can be done by using a humidifier or running hot water in a closed bathroom. You can also help your cat breathe better by gently wiping their nose with a damp cloth.
During your cat's recovery, the vet might suggest changing their diet to wet food, which is easier on a sore throat than dry food. They could also recommend vitamin supplements to strengthen your pet's immune system.
Recovery From Cat Laryngitis
Laryngitis usually has a good outcome once your cat's health problem is identified and understood. But quick treatment becomes crucial for their recovery if your cat's sore throat is caused by more serious issues like tumors, major blockages, or cancer. Ignoring early diagnosis and treatment for severe problems might stop your cat from getting back to their previous healthy state.