My cat's meow is hoarse. What can I do if I can't afford a vet?

Voice change can be caused by many things. Cats do not get colds like people do. Most cats are exposed to several upper respiratory viruses over their lifetime that can flare up occasionally causing sneezing, runny eyes or nose, and occasionally voice change. A change can also occur with anything going on with the larynx (voice box) including trauma, masses (benign or malignant), nerve or muscle disorders, etc. Additionally some cats who have asthma or heartworm disease may manifest this with a voice change. So, if your kitty is exhibiting any other symptoms and/or is not feeling well the best plan would be to have your family vet examine her. If upper respiratory virus related and she is otherwise normal it may run its course in a few days to a week. I hope this helps and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Your cat may have laryngitis, which is an inflammation of the larynx or "voice box". Signs of laryngitis include hoarseness and/or loss of voice. The most common causes of laryngitis are excessive vocalization and chronic[ coughing](https://www.petcoach.co/cat/condition/coughing). Both put strain on the vocal cords. Laryngitis can also be due to other underlying medical conditions such as throat infections, [allergies](https://www.petcoach.co/cat/condition/feline-allergies/), tonsillitis, [pneumonia](https://www.petcoach.co/cat/condition/pneumonia-1/), tracheobronchitis, foreign bodies and rarely tumors. Since it has been three days since your cat's symptoms began, I recommend having him evaluated by your veterinarian to check for throat infections or other sources of irritation of the larynx. You may need to feed a soft, bland diet and keep him as stress free as possible during his treatment and recovery.

It could be laryngitis from an upper respiratory infection. Usually, the symptoms will go away within 10 days or so. If she worsen or it doesn't go away your vet may have to do more testing to figure out what is going on. https://www.petplace.com/article/cats/keeping-your-cat-healthy/everything-need-know-cat-laryngitis/

Sometimes a raspy voice in a cat could be due to a respiratory infection. It’s sounds like Barney is getting better, so I would hold off on a vet for now. If the raspiness gets worse or he develops other signs such as lethargy, anorexia, coughing, or sneezing, then I would take him into the vet. I hope this helps!

Hi, and thanks for your question. This sign could be compatible with an upper respiratory tract inflammation/infection or possibly to a chronic laryngitis (inflammatory, allergic, infective). A clinical examination at your local veterinarian is essential to confirm these clinical suspicions and treat appropriately. Antibiotics may be needed. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!

Hello. Jax may have a mild upper respiratory infection. As long as he is eating & drinking well, has no significant discharge from the eyes or nose, he really does not need treatment or medications. If it continues past a week or so, or seems to be worsening, please see your veterinarian. Thanks for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

If the cat has laryngitis it will usually resolve on it's own over time with no treatment. Cats are very sensitive to medications so it is not recommend you give him anything over the counter. If the laryngitis is just from overuse of the voice box or a temporary illness like a URI no treatment is needed. If the laryngitis is due to an underlying condition then he will need an extensive workup to figure out what is going on. I suggest you do nothing but monitor him for a couple weeks and if no improvement, then you should get him to your vet for an exam. Hope this helps. Best wishes.