Why has my cat lost her voice and her tongue is sticking out?

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.

Cats can sometimes "lose their voice" as a result of an upper respiratory infection, similar to what happens to people when we get laryngitis. As a result, they will sometimes go through the motions of meowing but little or no sound comes out. If this sounds like what you are seeing, I would recommend having her checked by a vet - she may need antibiotics or other medication if she has an infection. Another possibility based on what you are describing is that your cat is having trouble breathing - cats will sometimes appear to be panting, or breathing with an open mouth if they are having trouble getting their breath. If you see this, it is a medical emergency and the cat needs to be seen by a vet immediately.

I am sorry to hear about Chloe! We can see laryngitis or voice loss in cats occasionally for a variety of reasons, including viral infections, nasopharyngeal polyps, or inflammation of the laryngeal area. I suppose perhaps there could have been some inflammation or irritation after vomiting due to the plant. Most often if due to inflammation the laryngitis will resolve in a few days to a week. If at any point Chloe develops diffiuclty breathing, loses her appetite, continues to vomit, or becomes lethargic, then a veterinary exam is recommended. Best of luck to you and Chloe.

I think it is ok to wait, and monitor T closely for the next 24-48 hours. Certain viruses can cause a change in a cat's voice and as long as there are no other signs, supportive care is really the only course of treatment in many cases. Make sure she continues eating well, that she does not become more lethargic, and that new signs such as eye or nose discharge do not occur. If you notice any of these signs, I would contact your veterinarian. I hope T is feeling better very soon.

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/

You are correct that sometimes sticking out the tongue can be a sign of dental disease. Sometimes though, cats will stick out the tongue. Definitely a pet toothpaste and brushing his teeth every day will help and will not cause any harm. I don’t recommend to start any supplements until your pet is examined by the veterinarian. An exam will help to determine if this is pathological behavior or not. You may look online at larger veterinary companies like VCA or Banfield. They often offer a free exam coupons for new clients. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.

Hi, and thanks for your question. This sign is often secondary to an upper respiratory tract inflammation/infection or possibly to a pharyngitis (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!