Cat lost her voice and appetite

The last few days my cat who is normally very, very vocal for a cat has lost her voice. She still opens her mouth and tries to meow often, she makes an initial noise, but cannot continue audibly. She also has lost most her appetite. I have tried to feel for tumors and I cannot notice any. 

Has anyone gone through this with their cat?

Does anyone know what her ailment could be?  

The first, easiest guess is an upper respiratory infection.  I don't talk much when I have a cold, either.

However, my biggest fear would be something caught in her mouth or, more likely, her throat.  A check by a vet is called for; if this is something like a needle or something, you may still save her life.
 

I researched "silent meow" recently (after meeting a sick cat at a shelter with a silent meow) and besides upper respiratory, it could also mean an infected tooth or dental problems.  That could explain the loss of appetite too, if she is having pain in her mouth.  I'd say a vet visit is definitely in order.  Keep us updated.
 

I had this happen with Lucky..... It was scary, and my fault entirely! I was piling her, and she aspirated the water from the water chaser - took a breath out of order and chocked
From that minute on, she would not meow - she would try and try..... Nothing would come out. I was petrified I gave her aspiration pneumonia.....
Two days later I held her plate up and forced her to meow - as much as I could. She coughed.... It was like a wet cough..... That was it - she "unclogged".
Thank goodness she was ok.
I would take her to the vet - You don't know what it is..... It could be something logged in there. Could be something in her throat.....

Was she at the vet/caged or boarded?  When mine go for spay/neuter this tends to happen as they cry at vets to get out of the cage.  They are used to running around.

URI defiantly would do this!

Vet check is in the best bet of your kitty!