hey all

I am not really sure what I want but I just need to write down my concerns regarding my cat really

Let me give you a little bit of history

About 4 weeks ago she started to make small wheezing sounds when she breathed - its NOT all the time and she can go days without making the sounds - I called the vet to make an appointment for a health check as she needed her boosters so I thought I would kill 2 birds with 1 stone so to speak.

I mentioned the wheezing/snorting to my vet at our appointment and he asked how long she had been doing it, he listened to her lungs, opened her mouth and had a look

Her lungs sounded clear and he said it might be a mucus build up or a flap so suggested that he scope her to have a better look

I agreed to do this (she is 14 years old so I am a little wary of anesthetic in older cats) but for my peace of mind and her heath we went ahead

She was taken in last Wednesday for a scope and a lung x-ray and I went back at 5.30pm to collect her only to be hit with the news that she has a partially paralysed larynx!

My vet has never seen this in a cat and wasnt entirely sure how this had occurred - I asked if should could have been born with it and he said she could have been........

He told me to "keep an eye on her" and to call him if I have any concerns

I do have concerns and have called him and asked some questions (what percentage is her larynx paralysed, will it get worse, is she in pain) and he cant really answer them as he hasnt seen it in a cat...........

Anyway - to cut a really long post short - I just felt like I needed to write all of this down and see if ANYONE has experienced this in their cat at all..............

Doubtful as apparently its more common in certain dog breeds and very rare in cats

Sorry for the ramble - I just needed to get that all of my chest

Thanks for reading

Katt

When I first started reading your post, I thought of my old cat who used to have a very loud snore and noisy breathing, but after reading the vet's diagnosis I am baffled, never heard of such a thing before. Does it seem to bother your pussycat at all?

it doesnt appear to be!

I am baffled too - I have tried google after my vet wasnt really able to answer my questions but it wasnt very helpful

My vet says she is in remarkable good health for her age - she is 14 - despite having just diagnosed her with a partially paralysed larynx!

She is eating well, playing, going outside, leaping up fences - I think I am probably being slightly paranoid and over cautious but I dont really know what else to do!

Sounds stupid I know but she is my baby and I have had her for 14 years, its just me and her at home

I am possibly thinking that I need a 2nd opinion but............. *shrug* I really, really dont know

Thanks for listening, I just need a place to ramble and "voice" the thoughts that have been whirling around inside my head since Wednesday

No, not stupid, I suspect we all talk baby gibberish to our pets.

It's certainly doesn't sound stupid to me - they're our family and if anything seems wrong it's scary. I know I go into a terrible fret if my 13 year old goes off her food for a day or so, even though she's always done it and she's perfectly healthy.

Having said that, I think usually cats let us know if something is wrong, especially when it's just us and them at home, which usually creates a very strong bond, and she sounds as if she's doing really well. I've never heard of the condition either but if she's eating and playing it can't be giving her any problems at the moment. But I can understand that you would want to know if it might in the future - can your vet look into finding someone who might know more to give you a second opinion to help set your mind at rest?

thanks

I think I was making myself paranoid by constantly checking she was ok! I have taken a step back (spoken to my dad, coz speaking to my dad always helps) and I have to be less paranoid with her - she is fine in herself, she hasnt changed AT ALL, is eating, purring, miaowing constantly

I think it was a shock and fear factor at hearing something was "wrong" with her that even my vet hadnt seen in a cat!

I know he is at the end of a telephone call and he is aware of her condition so I will call him if her behaviour changes at all and take her down to see him

Thanks all for your advice and just for listening/reading - I really appreciate it