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Weird Purring

by Elena
(Quebec City)

Lily of the Valley

Lily of the Valley



When we came home a couple of days ago we realized that my cat Lily's purring had changed. It is very high and squeaky. It doesn't seem to bother her at all, exept for the fact that she seems to be swallowing more, but I'm not sure of that. Do you know what it could be ?

Thank you !
Elena



Hi, Elena,

I wish I knew how old she is. That could help narrow it down a bit. However, there are a few different things it could be.

Cats can get bronchitis and laryngitis just as we do. We sometimes lose our voices or get "squeaky"; so can cats. If that is the case, it is usually viral and should pass within a short time.

They can also lose their voices from crying too much just as you can lose your voice from going to a ballgame and cheering loudly repeatedly. You didn't say if you were just coming home from being away during the day or if you had been away for several days. If you were away on vacation, she may have missed you so much that she overused her voice, crying for you.

She could have something lodged in her throat but you would most likely see other symptoms: gagging, coughing, loss of appetite, etc.

Older cats can acquire thyroid disease and may have one or more thyroid glands enlarged and pressing on the vocal area.

There can also be other masses, malignant or not, pressing on that area in the throat and causing a change in vocalization.

If she is acting fine and eating and being in all other respects normal, you can wait a few days and see if it goes away. If she shows any other signs or it doesn't get better soon, a visit to the vet would be in order.

She is beautiful. Thank you for the picture!

Sincerely,

Shelby Neely




Comments for
Weird Purring

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Nov 20, 2008
 whistle-purr
by: Rachel

My boyfriend's cat Oreo has a similar issue, she is plump and 13 years old, but she is otherwise healthy. When she purrs, it is always high-pitched and airy, like she whistles a purr. Oreo's vet said it was due to the dry air in the home. Oreo's nose is mostly dry, not cold and wet like my cats', so her airway is most-likely dry as well. Have you ever whistled when you breathed in? Same idea.
Nov 22, 2008
 Response
by: Dr. Neely

The time I might be concerned is when there is a sudden change in a cat's purr or "voice". That would be of more concern than a cat who has had a "strange" purr or meow all their life. Dr. Neely
Mar 01, 2009
 Re: kitty gagging
by: Robin

My cat is about 1-2 years old. she has Egyptian Mau features but she probably mostly tabby. She gags a lot. but nothing comes up. Every now and then she will throw up, twice it has been hairballs. Is this a normal reflex to gagging up hairballs, or could something else be wrong? She seems healthy in every other way. And very happy.

Many cats (most) gag at times and nothing is produced. It most likely is irritation from hair or a hairball that can't quite get up. This can happen even 2 to 3 times a week. If she seems healthy in every other way, it is probably no cause for concern.

Laxatone can be very useful for this. Give it 1-2 times weekly and help lubricate the hair and help it pass through and out in the feces where it belongs.
Sep 11, 2009
 Raptor like purr/sounds
by: Anonymous

my cat is kinda similar, when she purrs or drinks water she sounds like a raptor dinosaur. its low and it sounds like a purr but its not high pitched, its like she has a sore throat, like in people when we have sore throats we can sometimes sound raspy, could it be the same thing or something more. shes 2 and has a history of vomiting due to stomach acid, we have recently got food for her that doesnt disagree with her but she still makes that sound
Sep 28, 2009
 it may be
by: MY LOVE fur kitties

that may be a diseise of some kind not sure what but it may be I have never heard of that but that may be what the other doctor it could be losing it's voice if it's an old cat that could be why also so thank you bye!
Apr 27, 2010
 Deep Purr
by: Anonymous

my cat just came back from getting declawed and spayed. Her purr is much deeper then before. What is wrong?


It is possible she has a sore throat/hoarseness from having a tube in her trachea connecting her to oxygen.

Dr. Neely

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