Laryngitis in Cats

Laryngitis in your cat, like in people, means that your pet has lost their voice. In cats, this condition is caused by an inflammation of their throat and vocal cords and, most often, is a symptom of an underlying condition. Here, our Apple Valley vets explain what you need to know about cat laryngitis, including: how to identify it, what may be causing it and its treatments.

Laryngitis described when your cat's larynx, also known as their voice box, becomes inflamed. This can be caused by any number of diseases. This condition is characterized by your cat's meow being much quieter than usual. It can even make it uncomfortable or painful for them to "speak."

Since some cats are more vocal than others depending on their personality and breed, this condition can be easy or quite difficult to detect depending on your unique companion. 

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:

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

There are a number of different underlying causes which may be at the root of the inflammation around your cat's larynx, ranging from infections to disease and physical obstructions.  Some of the possible causes of laryngitis in cats can include:

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 veterinarian will start by completing a comprehensive physical examination of your cat to try and assess the underlying conditions which could potentially be causing your cat's laryngitis. 

After this, your vet will recommend diagnostic tests that are based on their suspicions about the root cause of this condition. Your vet may run tests ranging from x-rays and bloodwork to an endoscopy to check for physical obstructions or tumors.

Cat Laryngitris Treatments

After your cat's diagnosis, your vet will craft a treatment plan for them that is tailored to your feline friend's unique needs and situation. Depending on the severity of the condition, injury or disease that is causing your cat's laryngitis, the treatment process could last anywhere from a few days of rest to a course of antibiotics, steroids, diuretics or even invasive treatments like surgery. 

Your veterinarians will also provide you with detailed instructions about how best to care for your cat once they return home with you. 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.

Recovery From Cat Laryngitis

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.