Is laryngitis, tonsillitis, throat infections, inflamed/irritated vocal cords etc in

I'm just concerned because the 3 mos little stray I just gave up to a foster home was here five days to get spayed and at the end could barely squeak out the faintest meow.

With no overt trauma to the larynx or respiratory infection, I'm assuming it was simple overuse -- excessive howling that lead to soreness and swelling due to being confined in the trap too long (my fault...). She was very vocal and high pitched at first but the last couple days started making a hoarse rasping noise instead. With luck her voice will come back to full strength with time and possibly vet prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs or antibiotics. So are most cats with laryngitis easily treated with the proper medications or is a surgical procedure required ?

According to info from Dr. James W. Day
http://www.familyvet.com/Cats/Resp.html

LARYNGITIS
Trauma to the larynx, viral/bacterial infections, heat stroke, excitement and excessive howling can all lead to inflammation and swelling of the larynx. Clinical signs include a change in the voice (hoarse meow), cough, soreness to the throat, trouble swallowing, trouble breathing including gurgling or a noisy respiration. Diagnosis is based on history and clinical signs.

TREATMENT OF LARYNGITIS

Most cats with laryngitis are easily treated with the proper medications. Cats that are easily excited or constant howlers will often have recurrent episodes of laryngitis. Injections of cortisone, cough suppressants, tranquilizers and ice packs applied to the throat are all effective. Antibiotics may be needed in cases of infection.

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More info here

http://www.justanswer.com/questions/...ats-laryngitis

Laryngitis can also be a symptom of calicivirus. I had a cat who had no other symptoms, and he eventually developed muscular pains/arthritis as well. He caught it from a kitten who had more typical respiratory symptoms and mouth sores.

We took him to the vet simply because he'd lost his voice (he can usually howl for HOURS nonstop) and the vet discovered that his throat was raw.

Unless you're positive that she meowed herself hoarse, I'd consider keeping the kitten isolated and watching for other symptoms.

Originally Posted by mews2much

My Wrinkles lost her voice after she was altered from the tube that was in her throat.
Cleo and Oreo lost their voices last year and it turned into a cold.
It could be from the tube or she could be getting sick.

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Yes, the tube can cause hoarseness as well as a lot of scary coughing, for up to a couple of weeks.

As the above posters said, tracheal intubation can cause throat irritation. With cats, most (if not all) veterinary hospitals will use Lidocaine or Carbocaine (Same as lidocaine, just a different name) which is a topical anesthetic to numb the larnyx. It is applied directly on the larnyx. This may have caused some irritation or slight paralysis of the larnyx. If it doesn't go away soon, I would seek medical help, if you haven't already.

Good luck!

Okie

Thanks for all the answers ! We weren't able to pin down a definite cause but I talked with the foster caretaker today and she assured me "Maya" has her voice back.

Hurray for self-limiting problems that quickly run their course with no lasting effects.