cat's meow is changing

i know this sounds silly, but my 8 yrs cat's meow is changing. it almost sounds like he has a cold. he is healthy and hasn't been acting different other than getting used to our new addition, a 3 month old kitten. it almost sounds like he forcing his meow out, like laryngitis. i don't know how else to explain it. is this a serious problem?

It could be a respiratory infection. Sometimes the vocal cords are affected.

Originally Posted by coaster

It could be a respiratory infection. Sometimes the vocal cords are affected.

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could he have a respitory infection and not be sneezing or showing other signs?

Yes. But there are other things that could affect the vocal cords, too. I'd say if it keeps getting worse over the next couple days, to have it checked by a vet. There haven't been any problems swallowing, have there?

Originally Posted by coaster

Yes. But there are other things that could affect the vocal cords, too. I'd say if it keeps getting worse over the next couple days, to have it checked by a vet. There haven't been any problems swallowing, have there?

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no, doesn't seem to have any problems. he's eating fine. always hungry, he's a big boy.

Because of your kitty's age (he's just entering the senior years) I would recommend that you have "senior panel" of blood work done. That will give you a good baseline for the future. Make sure it includes a thyroid test. The thyroid is located in the throat, and sometimes hyperthyroid cats experience voice changes. Cats with hyperthyroidism are often always hungry, so it might be a good thing to check.

thank you, i am taking him to the vet tomorrow. because you are right, he is always hungry and he's huge. he also, as of today, has not gone to the bathroom. unless he is doing it somewhere else in the house that i am not aware of out of anger over the new kitten. i am just so worried about him.