Why did the cat lose his voice? The cat has lost her voice - how can I help her continue to lead a normal life? The cat has a voice of reason

The cat meows, purrs, hisses. The sounds an animal makes have a reason. This is communication, expression of peace or displeasure, demands for attention and food.
Siamese, Bengal cats and Sphynxes are especially “talkative”. Rarely, in exceptional cases, Maine Coons, Persians, Kuril Bobtails, and British cats speak.
Training gives results. If you constantly turn to a cat, and this resembles a ritual after which the animal receives food and affection, then anyone will “talk.” Excessive meowing is annoying, but its absence should upset the owners more. What might cause concern? The cat’s voice has disappeared, the meowing is silent - this symptom often accompanies serious illnesses and injuries.

Common causes of voice loss in cats

The nightly serenades of March singers until you become hoarse are not the only explanation for your pet’s hoarse and quiet voice. All reasons can be divided into three groups:

1. Mechanical damage, small objects getting into the cat’s throat.

Kittens suffer more often: while playing, they can swallow small, sharp objects. The owner entertains the pet with a toy tied to a string. The kitten, having caught up with the rustling foil bow, begins to chew it. A sharp piece of metallized paper gets into the throat and gets stuck. And how many interesting but dangerous games take place without human control!
Adult cats suffer from damage from bones in poultry and fish meat (small elastic bones, scales in river fish). Curious animals explore new objects, often tasting pine needles and Christmas tree decorations. On New Year's weekend, queues line up to see veterinarians due to injuries to the larynx and pharynx in cats. The owners were concerned about the disappearance of their pets' voices.

2. Chemical poisoning, dehydration.

Cats avoid objects with a sharp, pungent odor. Of course, no animal will taste spilled gasoline or paint products. For cats to become poisoned, it is enough to inhale toxic fumes. People often do not notice that using air freshener or nail polish remover has a depressing effect on the cat. Repeated or prolonged inhalation of chemicals leads to poisoning. The cat wheezes, sneezes, refuses to eat, and loses its voice.

Veterinarians give specific examples. The cat “accompanied” its owner in the hallway every morning. She, having made the final touch, fixed her hair with hairspray, and ran off to work. This went on for several weeks.
Another visit to the doctor: the cat experienced loss of voice, nausea and wheezing. The veterinarian, having examined the animal, immediately determined the cause of the disease - smoking in the room, poor ventilation, low air humidity. This was “told” by the smell of cigarette smoke from the fur and changes in the cat’s vocal cords.

Cats walking unattended can end up in a landfill or construction site where there is a lot of chemical waste. Don't ignore your pet's loss of voice if you don't know what happened. The danger to the animal is a reality.

Lethargy, lack of playfulness, and an unnatural hoarse sound are some signs of dehydration. Milk, kefir, broth, and any food will not replace clean water. It should be in the cup all the time.

3. Infectious diseases.

Cats also suffer from infectious diseases. They have sore throat, otitis media, colds and other infections that are transmitted through the air. The infection cannot affect the host. Some people do not let their cats outside because they are confident in their safety. This is not an option. Drafts, low temperature in the apartment, dampness, and poor nutrition weaken the immune system and will not improve the health of cats.

How to diagnose the disease? Loss of voice indicates advanced disease. You missed the beginning: the cat sleeps a lot, has a dry nose, watery eyes, and poor appetite. Only a veterinarian will associate the lack of voice with damage to the respiratory system and rhinotracheitis. Or the cause of silent meowing is laryngitis, the mucous membranes of the throat are inflamed, swelling of the larynx is observed, and the vocal cords are clogged with mucus.

If you take the problems of losing your pet's voice lightly, you may not notice such a dangerous viral disease as calicivirus. Watery ulcers form on the animal's tongue and larynx. They bring a lot of pain and discomfort to cats; it is difficult for them to swallow, meow, and purr.

What else you need to know about the causes of voice loss in cats

It's good if you know the cause of the disease. After the operation under anesthesia, you were warned about possible silence until the animal fully recovered. You should protect your cat from hypothermia and follow all recommendations.

It’s good if the pet’s silence is short-term and the voice is restored on its own. But you should always be attentive to the accompanying symptoms. Strange behavior, fear of familiar objects, people, drooling, changes in appearance, fear of bright light and water, refusal to eat indicate a fatal disease - rabies in cats. There is no need to experiment or invent a treatment. The infection could have occurred a long time ago, and all this time the family and the owner himself were in danger and were close to the dying infected cat. Contact your doctor immediately.

How to help with voice loss in cats

For the treatment to be successful, you need to follow the algorithm:

1. Observe the animal, if the symptoms bother you, contact your veterinarian.

2. If there is an obvious reason, help the animal: in case of poisoning, try to give the cat water and take it to a doctor. Take with you possible sources of poisoning for a correct diagnosis (a leaf of a poisonous plant, a can of varnish). If there is rapid swelling of the larynx, give an antihistamine in a dose as for a small child. If vapors from paint and varnish products are poisoned, give the animal milk.

3. If the air is dry or there is smoking in the room, ventilate it more often, but avoid drafts.

4. If you find a foreign body in the larynx, try to pull it out, but know that the doctor will do it better than you.

5. Infectious diseases, inflammations that provoked loss of voice are treated with antibiotics.

6. Vaccinate your cats against rabies in a timely manner every year.

No matter how quickly you help your pet, remember that there are professionals who definitely need to show the cat for further proper treatment.

A cat is always a favorite pet. A cat is loved even when it is naughty, mischievous or screams in a heart-rending voice. There are such silent individuals that even purr extremely rarely, not to mention full manifestations of vocal abilities. But most cats love to meow, squeak, or really loud. And if such a pet suddenly stops vocalizing, then the loving owner will begin to worry, because any change in the condition of the four-legged friend may indicate something serious.

Why did the cat lose his voice?

A cat, like a person, may lose its voice. There are a lot of reasons for this. There are harmless reasons that are eliminated on their own, and sometimes a serious illness becomes the explanation for the cat’s silence.

However, any symptom that arises can lead to serious consequences, so it is important to find out in a timely manner what exactly led to the cat’s life changing. Only by finding out the reason for the lack of voice can you correct the situation and help your pet.

Infectious and viral diseases

The most common cause of muteness in cats is various infectious and viral diseases. The disease may appear as a result of a cold or hypothermia. This often happens if a cat spends a long time outside during the cold season. Viruses can be transmitted by airborne droplets, so the risk of getting sick is quite high. The most common diseases of cats and kittens include the following diseases:

  • otitis;
  • laryngitis, pharyngitis;
  • rhinitis;
  • rhinotracheitis;
  • panleukopenia (distemper).

Otitis is an inflammation of the inner or middle ear with complications. Otitis often occurs in cats that have been in a draft. And also similar inflammation occurs during infectious processes (purulent pharyngitis, rhinitis, etc.). Cats whose ears are not properly cared for (accumulation of wax, growth of hair inside the auricle, foreign objects entering the ear canal, etc.) are prone to ear inflammation. With proper care and treatment of predisposing diseases, otitis media will not occur.

To avoid the risk of ear inflammation, you need to regularly examine your pet's ears.

Rhinotracheitis is a viral disease that affects the respiratory system. Some call rhinotracheitis feline herpes. This disease is caused by the FHV-1 virus. Usually young cats or kittens suffer from herpes, but the virus can also be present in the body of adults. Rhinotracheitis can also be a harbinger of more serious diseases, such as feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukemia. These are deadly diseases, which is why it is so important to quickly respond to the loss of a cat’s voice.

The cat may also have a sore throat (laryngitis). This is a disease during which inflammation of the oral mucosa occurs. In this case, the larynx swells and mucus accumulates in the area of ​​the vocal cords. This is how the animal loses the ability to make sounds. Sore throat in cats is usually a complication of a cold or flu (as in humans).

A dangerous viral disease in cats that leads to loss of voice is calicivirus (calicivirus, calicivirus). This disease affects the upper respiratory tract, oral mucosa, larynx and nose. The animal's larynx becomes covered with painful ulcers, which causes muteness. In severe cases, the viral illness leads to pneumonia or arthritis. Calcivirus usually affects unvaccinated cats that live in poorly ventilated areas or places where there are too many cats.

The virus kills healthy cells, forming defects (ulcers and erosions). Sometimes joints (mainly limbs) are also affected, but usually no one pays attention to this. Qualified veterinarians, when complaining of a loss of voice in a cat, first of all ask about vaccinations, since muteness is an inevitable phenomenon with calcivirosis and distemper.

The main symptom of calcivirosis is ulcers on the tongue, gums and nose.

Allergic laryngeal edema

The cause of swelling of the larynx and loss of voice may be an allergic reaction. With allergies, the lumen of the larynx decreases, making it difficult to breathe and reducing the cat’s vocal capabilities. In the most severe cases, swelling can completely block the air flow, which can lead to the death of the cat. But you need to sound the alarm even if the animal can breathe. Even with the slightest swelling, it will be painful for your pet to eat and drink. And, of course, this will make the cat nervous, and without a voice the animal will not even be able to complain to you. Your cat's breathing patterns can help differentiate swelling from other laryngeal problems. Usually in such cases the cat becomes ill and begins to breathe heavily. Moreover, the voice may disappear gradually (at first the cat will begin to hiss or wheeze).

The most dangerous type of allergic reaction is anaphylactic shock. In this case, the larynx swells so quickly that the owner may not even have time to take the pet to the veterinarian.

The problem can get worse even with the slightest swelling. The fact is that the swollen walls of the larynx will reduce the lumen of the esophagus. This is dangerous because the cat can injure its throat when trying to swallow food. The consequences of an injury to the throat (or even the root of the tongue) can affect even a few days after the cause of the swelling is eliminated. Purulent inflammation of the wound may begin, and this is very dangerous. The animal will not be able to eat or drink and will eventually become weak. I heard a story about how a cat's larynx became swollen due to a simple allergy. He injured his tongue with a fish bone and inflammation began. The allergy was quickly cured, but the swelling did not go away for a long time due to a purulent abscess on the tongue.

Allergic swelling of the larynx can be accompanied not only by loss of voice, but also by wheezing

Cat poisoning

Cats can be poisoned not only by low-quality food. The animal may pick up something from the floor or lick, for example, a table or its paws. There may be toxic substances on various surfaces in your home. For example, it could be a poison to eliminate insects (fleas, cockroaches, ticks, etc.). The cat can also be harmed by disinfectants (bleach, washing powder). Therefore, the cat owner needs to be careful when using chemicals. In addition, it is important to avoid walking in polluted areas. A cat can also find toxic substances on the street. The owner may not even pay attention to it. A cat can also be poisoned by volatile poisons (varnishes, paints, even simple hairspray).

In such cases, loss of voice will be accompanied by other symptoms. The animal may wheeze or cough. Typically, poisoning is accompanied by vomiting, foam at the mouth, and excessive salivation. With severe intoxication, the animal may die.

I know of several cases where cats died due to poisoning. In one of these cases, a Thai cat inhaled dichlorvos. There were no special means for removing fleas back then. In addition to traditional methods, people also used strong insecticides. The owners sprayed the cat with dichlorvos and wrapped it in a towel so that the cat could not lick itself. The poor thing began to choke, but could not get out of the terry captivity. When the owners heard wheezing, the cat was freed, but it was too late.

A cat can get poisoned at home or on the street

Foreign objects in the oral cavity

The most common cause of voice loss is mechanical damage to the walls of the pharynx by a foreign object. Usually this item is fish bones or toys, but a cat may try to swallow a needle (including a spruce needle) or a twig. In the most difficult cases, in addition to the larynx, the cat injures the esophagus or upper respiratory tract. If an animal injures its larynx, a wound is formed that can become inflamed. This is not only very painful, but also dangerous. In addition to loss of voice, irreversible processes may also begin.

It is important to monitor what your cat eats and what she plays with. There are cases when a cat is not particularly talkative, so the owner may not notice that his pet is sick. When the inflammatory process begins, the animal may develop a fever. A person may decide that the cat has a cold and will begin to treat it for a cold. Time will be lost, and in such cases this cannot be allowed. Suppuration of the wound can lead to the death of the pet.

It is precisely because of the high risk of damage to the larynx from the bones of cats that it is not recommended to feed river fish

animal rabies

Cat rabies is a viral disease that causes death. Rabies affects the nervous system, which leads to loss of voice. Therefore, this disease is dangerous not only for the cat, but also for its owner, because the virus can be transmitted through saliva. Only vaccination can save your pet from rabies. But if the vaccination was not done on time, and the cat is already sick, you should be able to recognize the infection. Symptoms of rabies are the following:

  • loss of voice;
  • inappropriate behavior;
  • the cat becomes aggressive;
  • lethargy, lethargy;
  • refusal to eat, loss of appetite;
  • paralysis of the animal.

Symptoms may appear several days after contracting the virus. Sometimes a pet dies for no apparent reason, and only after its death is it possible to determine the presence of the virus in the animal’s blood.

The most recognizable symptoms of rabies are muteness and inappropriate behavior

Poor air quality

Cats, like people, need fresh, high-quality air. Smoking in the room where a cat lives is dangerous to his health. Tobacco smoke has a negative effect on the vocal cords, the larynx dries out, and the voice disappears. In addition, cigarette smoke can lead to related problems: decreased immunity, the risk of developing cancer, infectious or viral diseases. Usually cat owners do not attach much importance to this, but in vain. This way, a pet can die, and the person won’t even know why it happened.

Dry air can also dry out the ligaments. This happens especially often in the winter when the heating is turned on. Few people think about air humidification. Moreover, many people try to prevent high humidity in their homes. In this case, other symptoms may appear: cough, difficulty breathing, dry or dull coat, dandruff, watery eyes.

Older cats are most susceptible to muteness due to bad air, because their bodies are weaker. I once read a story about how an old cat was a passive smoker all her life. By the age of 18, she lost her voice. The owners took her to the veterinarian, but he did not find the cause of the muteness.

The cause of a cat's muteness may be its owner's smoking.

Other reasons

Any veterinarian will confirm that a cat needs constant access to water. If the animal does not receive water in the quantities it needs, the larynx can still dry out. In addition, the cat should not be thirsty. A cat's body dehydrates much faster than a human's, since the cat loses a lot of water during licking. Dehydration will lead to loss of voice and weakness. This can be recognized by the cat’s muteness, weakness, and rare visits to the toilet.

Another reason for voice loss is the physical inability to voice due to weakness. For example, such weakness may occur after anesthesia. After sterilization or castration, cats recover from anesthesia in a day or two. On the first day after the operation, the animal is so weak that it not only cannot speak, it is difficult for him to even just raise his head.

A cat may also become silent due to emotional distress. This often happens after moving, and sometimes due to a new pet in the house. Many adult cats become silent when their owners bring a kitten into the house.

Loss of voice is not the most rare occurrence for cats. If the animal is vaccinated and healthy, this is often associated with stress, and the arrival of a new pet could well provoke such trouble. In this case, you need to wait until your cat gets used to the new resident, feels that you love him less or pay less attention, and the voice should return on its own. Show more care and attention so that the cat does not feel abandoned and forgotten.

Dmitry Kuklachev, director of the Cat's House theater

https://m.penza.kp.ru/daily/25727.6/2718676/

If you have another pet, then silence is not a sign of protest, but a result of stress

What to do if your cat has lost his voice

If you notice that your pet has suddenly lost his voice, observe him more closely. Sometimes a disease can be identified by symptoms. Once you understand what exactly caused the muteness, you will know how to help your pet. For example, if your cat has a runny nose, is sneezing, coughing, and has no voice, it most likely has a sore throat due to a cold. You need to examine the cat, take the temperature, palpate the throat, etc. Even if you go to the vet, he will ask about everything that may be related to the animal’s silence.

It is equally important to pay attention to the atmosphere of the home. The apartment may be too smoky. This could be, for example, smoke from burnt food. Remember if the cat found paint and varnish products. Or maybe you recently poisoned cockroaches, but haven’t washed the floor yet. Examine the animal's toys; it is quite possible that while playing, the cat chewed off a piece of its toy.

A cat may have a place where it drags everything that is forbidden. For example, in winter my cat chewed needles off the Christmas tree. I scolded her for this, so it occurred to her to hide the torn needles under the shoe rack. So I had to lay out tangerine peels under the tree. Find such a “hiding place” with your cat; perhaps there are fish bones or something else there that could injure her.

If the owner is confident that he knows the reason for the cat’s silence, he will try to help the pet. But self-medication is fraught with a deterioration in the cat’s condition, so you should try to consult a veterinarian as soon as possible. If it is not possible to go to the clinic right away (or it is night outside), then you can provide first aid to your pet and go to the veterinary clinic in the morning. But even in such cases, you need to know what kind of help you need to provide to the animal.

The owner can provide first aid to the cat

What can you do at home?

Emergency care for a cat depends on the cause that led to the loss of voice. First you need to try to eliminate this cause. If the problem is smoke or the smell of paint/varnish, then the irritant should be eliminated by opening, for example, a window. The pet can be moved to another room where it is warm, comfortable and safe. If the symptoms do not go away, you need to call a veterinarian.

If, when examining your throat, you find redness, this may be a sign of sore throat. In such cases, you can give your cat antihistamines, for example, suprastin, tavigil or diazolin (they will relieve swelling and reduce pain). It is important to understand that a cat’s small body requires a small dose of the drug (children’s dosage).

If your cat has damaged its larynx with a foreign object, do not try to remove it yourself. You can try immobilizing the head and jaw until the vet arrives. If the cat tries to “cough up” the foreign body, things can get even worse. Some cats calm down when petted. There is no need to give your cat any food.

Some owners, if they understand that the loss of voice is caused by a cold, do not contact the veterinarian. In this case, you need to provide your cat with access to clean and fresh water. Eliminate from her diet any food that could cause her condition to worsen. In any case, you will have to look after the cat more closely. Only caring for your cat and a timely response to changes in its health can save your pet. When one day my beloved cat caught a cold, I took several days off from work. How could it be otherwise, because cats are almost like children. They cannot help themselves, they cannot even complain.

When you need veterinary help

If you realize that you cannot help your pet at home, you should immediately contact a veterinarian. An experienced veterinarian, after asking you a few questions, will immediately understand what exactly caused the muteness. The veterinarian can not only examine the cat, but also conduct the necessary research. This determines how accurate the diagnosis will be. This way you can determine the different stages of the disease or the degree of damage to the larynx. And this, in turn, is the key to the correct prescription of medications.

For example, a cat may have rhinotracheitis (herpes), and the owner will decide that the voice has disappeared due to a sore throat. While a loving person is trying to cure a sore throat, herpes can “make its way” further. And the veterinarian will determine exactly what kind of disease harmed the animal.

In addition, in some cases, a cat may require professional care (drips, injections, wound treatment, etc.), and not every owner can boast of such skills. If you have enough experience in such matters, then you can carry out some of the procedures for caring for a sick cat at home, but it’s still better to be on the safe side.

It cannot be said unequivocally that these diseases need to be treated at home, but those - in a veterinary clinic. Any veterinarian will tell you that if you have any problem in the slightest, you need to immediately run to the doctor. Therefore, the choice of actions always remains only with the owner of the animal.

In some cases, you cannot do without the help of a veterinarian

Features of kitten treatment

Kitten diseases are more dangerous than cat diseases. The fact is that the baby’s body is already more vulnerable, and it can react more strongly to any injury. So a kitten can harm itself more than an adult animal. Therefore, if a kitten has lost its voice, it is better not to try to cure it on your own, but to turn to a professional. It is also possible that the baby has not been vaccinated, and we are talking about distemper or calcivirosis. In this case, the veterinarian can vaccinate and prescribe treatment in accordance with the age of the animal.

There are people who do not want to trust the health of their little furry to veterinarians (or do not have the opportunity). Such owners need to know that treating a kitten with adult medications is dangerous. It is impossible to calculate the correct dosage without the help of a specialist. True, some even avoid pharmaceutical drugs altogether.

I once read a story about how a kitten stopped eating, meowing and playing. The owners decided that the baby had a cold, because all the vaccinations were done on time. So the owner treated the cat with butter and baking soda (this is how children are usually treated). Oil softens the throat, and soda disinfects. I also heard that a kitten’s throat can be treated with a mixture of honey and streptocide, but I would not risk using two such strong products. In addition, honey can cause allergies, and this will further aggravate the swelling. In any case, the best option is to contact a veterinarian.

A cat's voice can disappear for various reasons: various infections and viruses, poisoning, dehydration, stress, and even mechanical damage to the larynx. Some causes are so dangerous that they can lead to irreversible processes, including the death of the cat. What exactly led to the loss of voice depends on what kind of help should be provided to the animal. You can try to alleviate your pet’s suffering at home, but this does not mean that you don’t have to go to the veterinarian at all.

When your favorite animal is sick, nothing is nice around, because you want to help the cat in every possible way. However, there is a feeling of absolute helplessness, because the pet will not be able to say in words what is wrong. What to do if you notice, for example, that a cat has lost its voice? This is due to various reasons, which are not always immediately clear. However, qualified assistance from a specialist will not hurt you in any case. Why this happens in cats, you will learn from the detailed information below.

Why did the cat lose his voice: possible reasons

There are a whole variety of reasons, ranging from the most harmless to serious diseases; even mechanical damage to the larynx is possible due to the ingestion of a foreign object. However, any symptoms that arise have their consequences, so it is important to quickly find out what is preventing the cat from fully leading a normal life. Read in more detail the possible factors that may lead to a loss of voice in a pet. Additionally, you will learn not only how to eliminate them, but also about possible methods of preventing problems with the larynx in cats.

  • If you abuse smoking right in the room where the cat is always located, then this also affects the pet’s voice. Due to the negative effects of smoke on the vocal cords, the larynx dries out, and the risk of concurrent infectious or viral diseases increases.
  • A domestic cat that has undergone a complex operation and is recovering from anesthesia will not speak for a long time due to the fact that the body is very weak.

Sore throat, otitis and other infectious diseases

Among the main causes of muteness in a pet are all kinds of infectious or viral diseases. A cat can get sick, just like a person, because viruses are transmitted by airborne droplets. Another point is illness as a result of an already suffered cold, hypothermia on the street, etc. Read more about common infectious diseases in cats:

  • If you have constant drafts at home, especially during cold periods, your pet will likely develop otitis media. During such a disease, the ear can become so inflamed that you will notice that your cat's voice has disappeared. Contact your doctor promptly, if you notice something wrong, start treatment immediately.
  • Another disease that leads to loss of a cat’s voice is rhinotracheitis. This is a type of virus that affects the respiratory system. If you start treatment in time, then in the near future the cat will quickly recover and its voice will return.
  • Laryngitis (angina) is another disease during which inflammation of the entire mucous membrane in the mouth occurs. The larynx swells, mucus accumulates in the vocal cords, and the cat loses the ability to voice. This disease is a complication of the flu or any other harmless cold.
  • The next factor that leads to the loss of a cat’s voice is a disease called calicivirus. This is a dangerous viral disease that affects the larynx with painful ulcers. The cat's muteness in this case is an inevitable phenomenon.

Foreign object in the throat

The most common cause of voice loss in a cat is mechanical damage to the pharynx by a foreign object. It could be an ordinary bone, a twig or even a needle. During an injury from such a foreign object, there is a possibility that not only the larynx will be damaged, but also the upper respiratory tract and esophagus. It is very important to keep track of what is on your floor and what your cat is playing with. These are very painful sensations that can lead not only to muteness, but also to other irreversible processes.

Dehydration as a Cause of Dry Mouth

Make sure your cat always has free access to drink. Let the bathroom be constantly open, if you are away from home for a long period, keep a bowl filled with clean water all the time. A pet should not feel thirsty, because its body succumbs to dehydration more quickly than a human. As a result of this, the cat’s mouth becomes dry, the ability not only to meow, but also to move freely is lost, and the animal feels severe weakness.

Poisoning by toxic fumes - if the cat wheezes and vomits

If you have a cat at home, be careful with disinfection methods, eliminating various insects and other pests. A pet can get poison into its body through food it eats from the floor, which will entail more than just a loss of the ability to make sounds. The cat can get acute poisoning, which will be accompanied by wheezing, vomiting and possible death. It is also undesirable to walk in polluted places.

The same goes for toxic fumes from paint and varnish materials you may use indoors. Even ordinary hairspray, the vapors of which accidentally enter the cat’s respiratory tract, can lead to poisoning, and the pet will begin to cough. In such cases, it is better to immediately transport your pet to a veterinary clinic, where he will receive qualified assistance. But while you're getting there, try to give your cat plenty of water.

Rabies

A dangerous disease such as rabies can also cause a cat to lose its voice. This viral disease is dangerous not only for the animal, but also for the cat’s owner, because it affects the nervous system. A person should remember that a pet could have gotten sick long before the first symptoms of rabies appeared. This is fraught with infection of both the owner (through saliva, for example), and his children.

You must monitor your pet's condition very carefully and be responsible for your health too. This is an extremely serious case, during which it is important to mobilize all your strength and exclude any contact with the animal. Read more carefully about the signs of rabies in order to avoid irreversible consequences in time.

  • The animal becomes inadequate and aggressive.
  • The cat behaves sluggishly, all movements become inhibited.
  • The animal may completely refuse to eat for a long time (for several days), there is no appetite.
  • At more advanced stages of the disease, paralysis appears.
  • Sudden death of a cat.

What to do if your cat has lost her voice: treatment options

If you notice that your pet is a little lethargic, does not show itself, or eats poorly, watch it more closely. Try to examine the cat, lightly feel his neck, you may be able to find out why he is not vocal. The right decision would be to immediately contact a veterinarian. However, there are times when access to such a doctor is limited (at night or you live far from the nearest veterinary clinic), then you should provide first aid to the cat and treat it at home, and take it to the hospital the next morning.

Contacting a veterinarian

If you understand that you are unable to treat your animal at home, then immediately contact a veterinarian. An experienced specialist will immediately find out what exactly is happening to your cat, identify the reasons that led to this condition, and prescribe the necessary treatment. Listen carefully to all the doctor’s recommendations in order to provide the correct necessary care to your pet at home after rehabilitation. How can a doctor help you when you contact him with an animal 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 the animal with appropriate rest and care. You may have to treat the wounds with prescribed products - it all depends on the severity of the damage.
  • In case of infectious or colds, therapy will be needed, which can sometimes consist of injections. You yourself are unlikely to be able to do them for your cat, so at first you will have to regularly visit the veterinary clinic for the necessary procedures.
  • Perhaps the veterinarian will simply prescribe some pills that you can use to treat your cat at home.

Examination and treatment at home

At first, you will be able to provide first emergency aid to the cat yourself, noticing that something wrong is happening with the larynx. In different cases, this help can have a healing effect, or it can simply temporarily free the animal from painful sensations. It all depends on the reasons that led to the cat losing his voice. In any case, do not be afraid to help your cat while you get to the veterinary clinic, take the following measures yourself:

  • If a foreign body gets into an animal’s throat, do not try to remove it yourself, so as not to worsen the victim’s condition. Just try to take maximum measures to immobilize the head and jaw while you get to the veterinary clinic. This way the cat will suffer less from pain.
  • If you notice swelling in your cat's throat and redness, this is a clear sign of a sore throat. Until you take your animal to the veterinarian, give him any antihistamine medications in a mini dose (children's dosage).
  • If the house is undergoing renovations and the cat could be poisoned by fumes from paint and varnish products, take the animal out into the fresh air. Give him something to drink, preferably milk rather than water. Take it to a veterinary clinic immediately so that your pet’s condition does not worsen. Don't forget to indicate the cause of the poisoning, this will help the doctor get his bearings.

Having adopted a tailed pet, the owner gets used to its affectionate meowing. He deciphers the animal’s monologues and intonations in his own way and responds to its “appeals.” But when suddenly the owner discovers that the cat’s voice disappears, that he only opens his mouth, he is frightened and does not know what to do? How to act in such a situation?

Why doesn't the cat meow

The reasons can be both the most harmless and quite serious. Mechanical damage to the pharynx due to ingestion of foreign objects is possible. The main thing is to find out as soon as possible the factor that provoked the pathology that prevents the pet from leading a full lifestyle.

Often, constant smoking by owners indoors leads to the loss of the animal's voice. This also happens after a pet undergoes a complex operation. In the process of recovering from anesthesia, he may not speak for a long time, because his body is weakened. In each specific case, the reasons for a cat’s loss of voice are different and are often the result of illness. Let's learn about them and what owners should do in such cases.

Infectious and viral diseases

These are the main reasons why a cat stops meowing. Infectious and viral diseases are transmitted by airborne droplets. If there are constant drafts in your house, especially in the cold season, then most likely the animal may develop otitis media. And since the ear and throat are located close and connected, severe inflammation causes loss of voice. Rhinotracheitis, another dangerous cat disease, also leads to it. It is caused by a virus that attacks the respiratory system. With this disease, the animal is greatly weakened, and its respiratory organs become ulcerated.

Laryngitis in cats is an inflammation of the oral mucosa. The larynx swells, and mucus accumulates in the area of ​​the vocal cords. The cat cannot speak due to pain. The same picture is observed with calcivirosis, only its symptoms are also laryngeal ulcers, sneezing, and discharge from the mouth.

Only a doctor can determine the exact cause of the disease. Most likely, he will prescribe antibacterial drugs to eliminate the disease as the root cause of voice loss.

Entry of a foreign body into the throat

Mechanical damage to the pharynx in animals occurs less frequently than infectious diseases. But, nevertheless, the owners need to be prepared for this. Especially if the cat often walks outside. A twig, an ordinary bone, or a needle can cause severe pain to a cat, because not only the larynx suffers, but also the esophagus and upper respiratory tract. Owners need to be especially careful with kittens, who love to play with everything.

Dehydration

It leads to dryness of the mucous membranes of the pharynx. If your cat eats dry food, make sure there is always fresh water in the drinking bowl and change it twice a day. Your pet should never feel thirsty. The cat's body succumbs to dehydration faster than the human body. With a long-term lack of fluid, a cat’s mouth becomes dry, it loses the ability to meow and move freely, feeling severe weakness.

Poisoning by poisons

In this case, the cat will wheeze and feel sick. Owners need to be extremely careful with disinfection methods. Insecticides must be hidden carefully. Even a small amount of accidentally swallowed drugs of this type can lead to serious consequences, severe intoxication with loss of voice. Acute poisoning is accompanied by vomiting, wheezing, and sometimes death.

Owners should not walk with cats, and especially with kittens, in polluted places. When using paints and varnishes in the house, animals must be temporarily rehoused, because the vapors of such substances can be very dangerous. By the way, hairspray is no less dangerous for cats. Accidentally falling on an animal, it leads to severe coughing attacks, and perhaps temporary loss of voice.

Rabies

Perhaps this is the most dangerous disease that causes loss of voice. A viral disease is terrible for the animal and its owner. He should know that a cat can get sick long before the first signs of illness appear, which manifest themselves in excessive affection and attacks of aggression, drooling, lack of coordination of movements, and refusal to eat.

So, if you notice a loss of voice in your cat, rush to a veterinarian. After examining the pet’s larynx, he will confirm his preliminary diagnosis with the help of tests. Based on them, he will prescribe therapy. The owner will only have to strictly follow the doctor’s recommendations in order to once again enjoy his native meow.

There are a whole variety of reasons, ranging from the most harmless to serious diseases; even mechanical damage to the larynx is possible due to the ingestion of a foreign object. However, any symptoms that arise have their consequences, so it is important to quickly find out what is preventing the cat from fully leading a normal life.

  • If you abuse smoking right in the room where the cat is always located, then this also affects the pet’s voice. Due to the negative effects of smoke on the vocal cords, the larynx dries out, and the risk of concurrent infectious or viral diseases increases.
  • A domestic cat that has undergone a complex operation and is recovering from anesthesia will not speak for a long time due to the fact that the body is very weak.

Sore throat, otitis and other infectious diseases

Among the main causes of muteness in a pet are all kinds of infectious or viral diseases. A cat can get sick, just like a person, because viruses are transmitted by airborne droplets. Another point is illness as a result of an already suffered cold, hypothermia on the street, etc. Read more about common infectious diseases in cats:

  • If you have constant drafts at home, especially during cold periods, your pet will likely develop otitis media. During such a disease, the ear can become so inflamed that you will notice that your cat's voice has disappeared. Contact your doctor promptly, if you notice something wrong, start treatment immediately.
  • Another disease that leads to loss of a cat’s voice is rhinotracheitis. This is a type of virus that affects the respiratory system. If you start treatment in time, then in the near future the cat will quickly recover and its voice will return.
  • Laryngitis (angina) is another disease during which inflammation of the entire mucous membrane in the mouth occurs. The larynx swells, mucus accumulates in the vocal cords, and the cat loses the ability to voice. This disease is a complication of the flu or any other harmless cold.
  • The next factor that leads to the loss of a cat’s voice is a disease called calicivirus. This is a dangerous viral disease that affects the larynx with painful ulcers. The cat's muteness in this case is an inevitable phenomenon.

Foreign object in the throat

The most common cause of voice loss in a cat is mechanical damage to the pharynx by a foreign object. It could be an ordinary bone, a twig or even a needle. During an injury from such a foreign object, there is a possibility that not only the larynx will be damaged, but also the upper respiratory tract and esophagus.

Dehydration as a Cause of Dry Mouth

Make sure your cat always has free access to drink. Let the bathroom be constantly open, if you are away from home for a long period, keep a bowl filled with clean water all the time. A pet should not feel thirsty, because its body succumbs to dehydration more quickly than a human.

Poisoning by toxic fumes - if the cat wheezes and vomits

If you have a cat at home, be careful with disinfection methods, eliminating various insects and other pests. A pet can get poison into its body through food it eats from the floor, which will entail more than just a loss of the ability to make sounds. The cat can get acute poisoning, which will be accompanied by wheezing, vomiting and possible death. It is also undesirable to walk in polluted places.

The same goes for toxic fumes from paint and varnish materials you may use indoors. Even ordinary hairspray, the vapors of which accidentally enter the cat’s respiratory tract, can lead to poisoning, and the pet will begin to cough. In such cases, it is better to immediately transport your pet to a veterinary clinic, where he will receive qualified assistance. But while you're getting there, try to give your cat plenty of water.

Rabies

A dangerous disease such as rabies can also cause a cat to lose its voice. This viral disease is dangerous not only for the animal, but also for the cat’s owner, because it affects the nervous system. A person should remember that a pet could have gotten sick long before the first symptoms of rabies appeared. This is fraught with infection of both the owner (through saliva, for example), and his children.

You must monitor your pet's condition very carefully and be responsible for your health too. This is an extremely serious case, during which it is important to mobilize all your strength and exclude any contact with the animal. Read more carefully about the signs of rabies in order to avoid irreversible consequences in time.

  • The animal becomes inadequate and aggressive.
  • The cat behaves sluggishly, all movements become inhibited.
  • The animal may completely refuse to eat for a long time (for several days), there is no appetite.
  • At more advanced stages of the disease, paralysis appears.
  • Sudden death of a cat.

For what reasons can a cat lose its voice?

If a cat has “lost” its voice, has stopped meowing, and wheezing is clearly audible, the reasons may have a wide variety of etiologies and pathogenesis. Moreover, some of them do not pose a serious danger to the health of your beloved pet and treatment can be carried out at home, while others, on the contrary, may indicate the development of serious systemic, functional pathologies and require an integrated approach to treatment.

In order to choose the right treatment therapy and provide assistance to the animal, it is very important to establish the root cause of such a problem, which is only possible after undergoing a comprehensive diagnosis at a veterinary hospital.

  • entry of a foreign object into the larynx or trachea;
  • viral, bacterial infections, diseases;
  • helminthiases;
  • insect bites;
  • respiratory, colds;
  • severe hypothermia;
  • poisoning by toxic fumes;
  • dehydration, intoxication of the body;
  • stressful situations.

The voice of cats can disappear due to developing sore throat, otitis media, influenza, bronchopneumonia, or rhinotracheitis. Loss of vocal function in cats is almost always noted with calcivirosis, a highly contagious disease of viral etiology. With this disease, inflammatory processes are localized in the tissues of the larynx and pharynx. Small ulcers form on the mucous membranes of the nasopharynx and oral cavity. Lymph nodes and tonsils are affected.

Important! Rabies and Aujeszky's disease can lead to complete loss of vocal functions in domestic animals and muteness, since deadly infections affect the central nervous system and other body systems.

A pet may stop meowing after suffering from a sore throat, which can provoke the development of viral laryngitis, in which the laryngeal mucosa is severely inflamed. In addition, swelling of the pharynx and enlargement of regional lymph nodes are noted. A large amount of mucus accumulates in the area of ​​the vocal cords, which interferes with the normal reproduction of vocal sounds.

Very often cats lose their voice due to otitis media. The disease is accompanied by inflammation of the middle, outer or inner ear. Depending on the intensity of pathological processes, etiology, and form of the disease, loss of voice in cats can be short-term or, conversely, animals cannot meow for a long time even after complete recovery.

It should also be noted that if a cat becomes hoarse and there is a loss of vocal functions, then this can be caused by poisoning with potent poisons that provoke a spasm of the larynx. If the air in the rooms is too dry, the owners have the habit of smoking in the apartment, this will not only negatively affect personal health, but also the well-being of their pets. As a rule, if there is smoking in the house, the animals will have a hoarse, hoarse voice.

Natural causes look pretty harmless:

  • starvation;
  • binge eating;
  • cleansing

After prolonged fasting, a response from the cat's body may be observed in the form of contraction of muscle tissue, manifested as the urge to vomit, but the eruption of vomit does not occur.

When overeating, the stomach tries to free itself from overload and throw away excess food. Contractions of the muscles of the stomach and esophagus begin, but vomiting does not occur.

Cats constantly clean themselves of fur and wash themselves. At the same time, when it gets inside, it can form into hard lumps, then help is required.

The cause of the urge may be the entry of foreign small objects into the mouth: threads, hair, grass. In such cases, the cat helps itself.

Vomiting also occurs after visiting veterinary offices or medical intervention. It is not dangerous and the symptoms go away after a while.

  • anthelmintic drugs: Cestal cat, Dirofen, Milbemax;
  • sedatives: Fospasim, Bach drops;
  • immune system stimulants: Catozal, Gamavit, Evinton;
  • for injuries: Travmatin, Monklavit;
  • before and after childbirth: Mastomethrin, calcium borogluconate, Oxytocin;
  • for constipation and diarrhea: Bifitrilak, Veracol, Linex;
  • Iris eye drops.

First of all, it is necessary to find out what led to such a disorder. Is this an easily removable factor (dry air in the apartment or stress) or a serious infectious disease? A home examination or a visit to the veterinary clinic can help determine what is causing this condition in your pet. Below, check out the list of factors that influence a cat's voice.

Infections and viruses

  • inflammation of the nasal mucosa;
  • ulcers in the throat and tongue;
  • conjunctivitis;
  • lameness caused by joint damage.
  • Attention! A cat can be a carrier of the calicivirus virus but show no signs of illness. In this case, by bringing home a healthy kitten with a weak immune system, the owner exposes it to the risk of infection.

  • otitis – inflammation of the ear canals;
  • rhinotracheitis – damage to the respiratory tract;
  • laryngitis - sore throat and swelling of the larynx.
  • If you suspect your pet has a virus or a cold, do not treat it at home, but immediately visit a veterinarian.

    Rabies

  • aggression or inhibition;
  • lack of appetite;
  • convulsions;
  • pharynx spasms, loss of voice.
  • If you find a suspicious combination of signs, isolate the sick animal and call a veterinarian to your home. If he confirms the diagnosis, the cat will be sent to the clinic and euthanized. If the result is negative, doctors will identify another cause of muteness and provide all possible assistance.

    Dehydration

  • lack of meowing;
  • weakness;
  • difficulty moving.
  • The situation is aggravated by regular smoking in the apartment. Nicotine dries out the ligaments and mucous membranes, depriving the cat of the ability to communicate.

    To prevent such phenomena, leave your furry pet access to two bowls of fresh water, and install air humidifiers in especially dry rooms.

    Foreign body in the throat

    Mechanical damage from a foreign object is a common cause of muteness in cats. Once in the pharynx, it damages not only the larynx, but also part of the esophagus, as well as the respiratory tract, causing pain.

    To prevent illness, keep an eye on the things your cat plays with. Do not leave dangerous objects on the floor: sharp small toys, beads, buttons and others. Buy safe toys from pet stores that are appropriate for the size and age of your pet.

    Poisoning

  • vomit;
  • rapid pulse;
  • shiver;
  • swelling of the larynx and loss of voice;
  • labored breathing;
  • salivation;
  • ulcers on the mucous membrane.
  • Be careful when using paints and varnishes that emit toxic fumes, cleaning chemicals or hygiene products (deodorant, hairspray). If a cat that has inhaled toxic fumes begins to cough, give it water and take it to the clinic.

    Stress

  • changing of the living place;
  • the appearance of a second animal;
  • long absence of the owner.
  • If possible, protect the cat from the provoking factor. If this is not possible, wait until he gets used to the stimulus, then the voice will return to him.

    Experts identify a whole variety of various ailments and external factors, due to which the pet’s voice not only changes, but also completely disappears. This phenomenon often occurs due to mechanical damage to the upper respiratory tract of the larynx or esophagus. In addition, the symptom is activated by a disease such as otitis media, which provokes an inflammatory process in the ear and deprives the cat of the ability to meow.

    This also includes a viral disease called rhinotracheitis, which affects the respiratory system, vision and vocal cords. But if a cat, after suffering from an acute respiratory viral infection or the flu, continues to behave sluggishly and make any sounds, this indicates the appearance of complications that led to infectious laryngitis. This disease is considered quite severe and its symptoms are very similar to sore throat, which, by the way, also leads to loss of voice.

    Among other things, a pet may lose its voice after contracting a serious viral disease such as calicivirus. Dumbness in this case is caused by severely painful ulcers covering the mucous membrane of the nose and larynx.

    And finally, cats lose the ability to meow after inhaling the caustic fumes of various disinfectants and repairs. Even excessive use of all kinds of perfumes and scented cosmetics by the owner can lead to temporary muteness or hoarseness of the animal. This also includes cigarette smoke, which also negatively affects the vocal cords and larynx, drying them out.

    Veterinarians often detect dehydration in pets, which is another cause of loss of voice, weakness and nausea. It occurs due to the fact that the pet does not have normal and constant access to water, and all moisture gradually leaves its body, and its throat and mouth become very dry. Therefore, you need to make sure that there is always fresh and clean water in your furry pet’s bowl.

    Rabies

    The cat lost his voice: causes and treatment

    Infections and viruses

  • conjunctivitis;
  • Rabies

  • lack of appetite;
  • convulsions;
  • Dehydration

  • lack of meowing;
  • weakness;
  • Poisoning

  • vomit;
  • rapid pulse;
  • shiver;
  • salivation;
  • ulcers on the mucous membrane.
  • Stress

    If you notice signs of muteness in your cat, observe his behavior. If a previously calm pet began to show aggression, and a playful one became lethargic, conduct an initial examination yourself, and then consult a doctor.

    Emergency help at home

    If you notice signs of sudden muteness, try to help your pet as quickly as possible. Procedure:

    1. Examine your cat's mouth and larynx. Check to see if there is a piece of food or a sharp object stuck there. If so, don't try to remove it yourself. Fix the animal's head in one position and take it to the veterinarian.
    2. Swelling in the throat is a sign of laryngitis. Until you contact a specialist, give your cat an antihistamine in a dosage for a small child.
    3. At the first signs of poisoning, take your four-legged friend outside and give him fresh water. If you know a suspected factor of intoxication (paint, plant, household chemicals), take to the doctor something that will help determine the composition of the substance (packaging or flower leaf).

    Visit to a specialist

    Upon arrival at your appointment, describe in detail the symptoms of the disease. Try to answer the questions:

    1. Approximate date and time when the voice disappeared.
    2. Prerequisites (drafts, home renovations, spraying substances from cans around the cat).
    3. Symptoms: nausea, vomiting, general condition, frequency of bowel movements, salivation, wheezing, thirst, etc.

    Having identified the disease, the veterinarian will carry out the necessary procedures and prescribe treatment - injections, tablets or ointments. He will tell you how to care for your pet at home and, if necessary, prescribe a diet. By following the doctor's recommendations, you will restore your cat's voice in a couple of weeks.

    If you notice that your pet is a little lethargic, does not show itself, or eats poorly, watch it more closely. Try to examine the cat, lightly feel his neck, you may be able to find out why he is not vocal. The right decision would be to immediately contact a veterinarian. However, there are times when access to such a doctor is limited (at night or you live far from the nearest veterinary clinic), then you should provide first aid to the cat and treat it at home, and take it to the hospital the next morning.

    Contacting a veterinarian

    If you understand that you are unable to treat your animal at home, then immediately contact a veterinarian. An experienced specialist will immediately find out what exactly is happening to your cat, identify the reasons that led to this condition, and prescribe the necessary treatment. Listen carefully to all the doctor’s recommendations in order to provide the correct necessary care to your pet at home after rehabilitation. How can a doctor help you when you contact him with an animal 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 the animal with appropriate rest and care. You may have to treat the wounds with prescribed products - it all depends on the severity of the damage.
    • In case of infectious or colds, therapy will be needed, which can sometimes consist of injections. You yourself are unlikely to be able to do them for your cat, so at first you will have to regularly visit the veterinary clinic for the necessary procedures.
    • Perhaps the veterinarian will simply prescribe some pills that you can use to treat your cat at home.

    Examination and treatment at home

    At first, you will be able to provide first emergency aid to the cat yourself, noticing that something wrong is happening with the larynx. In different cases, this help can have a healing effect, or it can simply temporarily free the animal from painful sensations. It all depends on the reasons that led to the cat losing his voice. In any case, do not be afraid to help your cat while you get to the veterinary clinic, take the following measures yourself:

    • If a foreign body gets into an animal’s throat, do not try to remove it yourself, so as not to worsen the victim’s condition. Just try to take maximum measures to immobilize the head and jaw while you get to the veterinary clinic. This way the cat will suffer less from pain.
    • If you notice swelling in your cat's throat and redness, this is a clear sign of a sore throat. Until you take your animal to the veterinarian, give him any antihistamine medications in a mini dose (children's dosage).
    • If the house is undergoing renovations and the cat could be poisoned by fumes from paint and varnish products, take the animal out into the fresh air. Give him something to drink, preferably milk rather than water. Take it to a veterinary clinic immediately so that your pet’s condition does not worsen. Don't forget to indicate the cause of the poisoning, this will help the doctor get his bearings.

    According to the established diagnosis and apply a specific treatment method. If the provoking factor is a foreign object, under no circumstances should you remove it yourself, so as not to harm the pet even more. The only thing the owner can do before the doctor arrives is to ensure the pet’s peace and immobility. After removing the foreign object, local treatment of the throat with antiseptics and anti-inflammatory drugs is usually prescribed.

    Laryngitis

    Having examined your pet's throat and discovered redness characteristic of the development of laryngitis, you can alleviate the suffering and prevent further development of the disease by giving the cat antihistamines in a child's dosage.

    Poisoning

    If you suspect poisoning with toxic fumes, for example, if the cat has inhaled the smell of ordinary repair paint, you should immediately take the pet out into the fresh air and give it milk. Further assistance will consist of calling a veterinarian and applying the necessary therapeutic measures.

    Viral diseases

    First aid for a cat in case of loss of voice

    If the cat’s voice has disappeared and there is no way to take the pet to the veterinary clinic, carefully examine the animal’s mouth. If the larynx is hyperemic (reddened), swelling is noticeable, give the cat antihistamines in children's dosages (diazolin, diphenhydramine, suprastin, tavigil). The animal may have a sore throat and to prevent the progression of the disease, provide first aid before the veterinarian arrives.

    Antihistamines will also help improve the condition of the animal if the cat, for example, was stung by a bee, wasp, or other stinging insects, the poison of which provokes swelling of the laryngeal mucosa.

    If the cause of muteness is a foreign object stuck in the throat, do not try to remove it yourself. Inept actions will only make the situation worse. Find a way to take your pet to the clinic or call a veterinarian at home. Before the specialist arrives, limit the cat’s movements, fix the head and mouth.

    If the cat is hoarse, numb and the cause is poisoning with toxic fumes, for example, if renovation work is being carried out in the house, give the animal a drink of milk, pour a decoction of chamomile, St. John's wort, and yarrow into the cheek with a syringe without a needle. In case of chemical poisoning, detoxification therapy will be required.

    Visit to a specialist

    Preventive actions

    1. Avoid keeping your pet in drafts.
    2. Get a course of preventive vaccinations against viral pathologies at the veterinary clinic (if you haven’t done it before).
    3. During repairs, if possible, move the cat to friends or family.
    4. Do not spray spray cans near the animal.
    5. Be careful when choosing detergents.
      Provide sufficient water and normal humidity levels in the room.
    6. Do not leave small objects on the floor or tables that could get stuck in the throat of a curious person.

    Sometimes cats stop "talking" because they get tired. After conducting an independent examination, consulting with a veterinarian and finding no signs of illness, leave your pet alone for a while. Be gentle, pet her, feed her as usual, and soon her voice will return. The cat will continue to delight you with purrs and meows.

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