cat voice change

Question
QUESTION: Hello Norman,
Over he last 3 or 4 days my talkative kitty's voice seems to have changed, like he has a sore throat. In addition to that, his sleeping pattern has changed from nightime, to morning and late night. We let him outside during the day and he loves being out there, so I find it strange that he'd want to sleep. I can only assume that it and the sore throat are part of an illness.

My parents are not paying attention or bothering to take him to the vets, so I'd like your opinion to see if it really is serious.

Thank you.

ANSWER: Kari,

Is your boy been neutered?  What is his age?  If he has not been neutered and is at teenage hood (7-15 months), some of his behavior change may be due to reaching puberty and he should be neutered. You also need to explain to me exactly what you mean by his voice changing?

The voice changing may be nothing, and cats normally do not get sore throat problems like we do, however any change in behavior that cannot be explained by normal means merits a visit to a vet.


Best regards... Norm.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: He's 3 or so years old and yes he is neutered. At this point his sleeping pattern seems to be normal as he's going back outside during the day. However, I have heard little improvement with his voice. I guess the word to describe it is crackled, like he's tired/sick, or something.

Thanks.

Answer
Kari,

Unless he has more symptoms, like lethargy, coughing, sneezing, not eating, or the like, I would see if his voice comes back normally.  If he begins to exhibit any of the symptoms I listed above or has any other chnages in behavior, it is off to the vet with him.  He may have had some kind of problem in his throat and may just get over it on his own. This is preferable to stuffing him with a lot of meds if he seems to be OK on all other counts.

Best regards... Norm.