Why cat hoarse

This will differ based on the underlying cause of laryngitis but often will include increasing the humidity of your cat's environment so their throat doesn't grow drier and more painful. You can do this by running a humidifier or even running hot water in a closed bathroom while your cat relaxes in there.

You may also be able to help your cat breathe easier by wiping their nose with a damp cloth. Your vet may also recommend dietary changes while your cat is recovering.

In particular, it might be beneficial to switch your cat to eating wet food, since it isn't as hard on a sore throat as dry. Vitamin supplements may also be recommended to help boost your pet's immune system. After your cat has been diagnosed and the underlying cause of their condition has been identified, the prognosis for the vast majority of cases of laryngitis is quite good.

In cases where the cause of your cat's sore throat is more serious such as tumors serious obstructions or cancer, quick treatment is critical in helping your pet to recover. If the cause is serious enough and your cat doesn't get diagnosed and treated early, they may never recover to their previous health. Shop Emergencies. 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. There are a few reasons why your cat may be hoarse or have a crackly meow. Another common reason is an upper respiratory infection that can affect the nose, throat, and sinus areas. It can act much like the common cold in humans. In cats, these infections are quite common and very contagious — especially in cats that go outside you mentioned that she has been out and staying out a lot lately.

Another reason can be trauma to the neck or throat area or tumors. Please note: Dr. If you have an immediate concern or emergency, contact a veterinarian or local veterinary hospital about your specific situation. Pet insurance can be a safety net for you and your pet, helping your pet care budget go further. Myopathy muscle disease or nervous system problems can also trigger laryngeal problems.

Your veterinarian will perform a thorough physical exam and may recommend diagnostic tests. Chest radiographs are often the first step, looking for signs of pulmonary or cardiac illness that may affect breathing.

A full neurologic exam may be done to rule out neuromuscular weakness, and blood tests may be run to rule out infection and thyroid problems. Cats with laryngitis often start with a harsh, dry cough that may progress to a soft, moist cough. You may notice your cat breathing with her head down and mouth open. The sound of her meow may be different. Treatment often includes anti-inflammatory medications, pain medications, antibiotics if indicated, and softened foods.

Providing food and water at room temperature or slightly warmer may help your cat eat and drink normally. Laryngitis may be due to infectious rhinotracheitis or calicivirus infection, and most cats make a full recovery in cases that are not severe.

Lymphoma is the most common laryngeal neoplasia. Radiographs of the neck and oral area may be obtained to detect laryngeal masses. If found, these are usually biopsied to check for cancer. Chemotherapy can provide prolonged periods of high quality life for cats with lymphoma depending upon how advanced the disease is , but it is not generally curative, and the long term prognosis may not be favorable.

Laryngeal paralysis.