Hoarse voice of my 15-year old cat

Some two weeks ago, my cat (15-year old, female) started a heat and at about the same time, her voice became quite horse, to the extent that on the second day of Christmas, she couldn't get one clean sound out of her throat - only high squeals as if she was after a heavy drinking and screaming night or no voice at all (she just opened her mouth as if she wanted to meow but was unaudible). I gave her a few days and each day there was an improvement - the best day was some 5-6 days ago when she had a nice, deep, clean meowing just like she's always had. In the evening, though, it worsened again but of course not to the extent it used to be during Christmas.

Then, however, the improvement stopped and she still is in the same point - she has some nice, clean meows but she has a lot of hoarse (sometimes more, sometimes less) meows too. I'd say generally they're 50/50 or 40% acceptable, 60% not. Other than that, she behaves (and has been during the whole period) normally - eats, drinks, defecates, urinates, plays, purrs WHOLE DAY (oh Gosh, honestly - 24/7 ), sometimes punches my dog in the face. So yeah, normal behaviour.

Should I be worried and get to the vet ASAP or just let her a few more days and see how it plays out?

Welcome to the forum, Leslie!

I can only tell you what I would do.

First, I operate within the generally accepted guidelines around feline healthcare - and, these days the rule of thumb is that "senior" and geriatric cats should have two checkups yearly: one thorough assessment and six months afterwards, a briefer version.

If that regimen is not where you are "at" - and, if you wanted to begin same, perhaps this hoarseness could be the impetus...?

If she's recently had a thorough medical, then perhaps consider a phone conversation with your Vet.

Hmm... She hasn't had a checkup since I-don't-know-when, honestly. I think I may pay my veterinarian a visit, then - to check up everything is OK Thanks.

In that case, I'd certainly support that decision.

If you really don't have a connection to that Vet, you would probably do better with a cat-only clinic...and, with one of the more senior docs there.

Here's something that may help. The site is that of The American Association of Feline Practitioners and the page has three links which you may find informative. The first is a doc for Vets which will show you the "areas" ideally assessed in older cats; the second is a briefer version and, the third is their "client handout" - pretty much a dumbed-down version (no offense should you find that one most helpful ) This is the page http://catvets.com/professionals/guidelines/publications/index.aspx?ID=398

Fair warning: (or. maybe "fare" is more to the point!) Most Vets are "educated" in nutritional matters - one way or another - courtesy of the pet food industry...and, consequently most of them know nothing about nutrition! The cautionary flag is warranted because you may very well be "advised" that Ms Kitty now needs "senior foods" (translation: buy my Vet-only "prescription diets"). MY personal advice is to politely thank the adviser and offer that you will need to absorb all this.....
 

You'll certainly get good nutrition advice here in the Nutrition forum...and, if you're up for a free Feline Nutrition 101, it's here http://www.catinfo.org/

Thank you for all the comprehensive insight