Swallowing Difficulties in Cats
Swallowing Difficulties in Cats - Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Recovery, Management, Cost
What are Swallowing Difficulties?
If your cat is having trouble swallowing, it may be a sign of an underlying health condition that needs to be treated as soon as possible.
Every animal occasionally coughs or gags while eating, but if you notice your cat experiencing swallowing difficulties repeatedly, it’s time to see a veterinarian to determine the cause. Besides coughing and gagging, cats may also drool, make repeated attempts to swallow, or get in unusual positions to eat their food when experiencing this condition, called “dysphagia”. If left untreated, cats may begin to rapidly lose weight because they are unable to eat. 
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Average Cost
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Symptoms of Swallowing Difficulties in Cats
There are three types of dysphagia, and each may present with specific symptoms. 
Oral Dysphagia
  • Struggling to open the mouth or hold food in the mouth
  • Collecting food on the sides of the mouth
  • Throwing head backward to eat
Pharyngeal Dysphagia
  • Repeated attempts to swallow
  • Gagging
  • Coughing
  • Drooling
  • Spots of blood in the saliva
  • Excessive chewing before swallowing attempts
  • Unusual neck and head movements while eating
Cricopharyngeal Dysphagia
  • Regurgitating food
  • Weight loss
  • Loss of appetite
  • Repeated attempts to swallow
  • Gagging
Causes of Swallowing Difficulties in Cats
Each of the different types of dysphagia is caused by different factors. 
Oral dysphagia can be caused by:
  • Jaw or tongue paralysis
  • Muscle swelling
  • Mouth trauma
  • Dental disease or infection
Pharyngeal dysphagia can be caused by:
  • Cancer
  • Enlarged lymph nodes near the pharynx
  • Abscesses
  • Pharyngeal inflammation
Cricopharyngeal dysphagia can be caused by:
  • Strained or deteriorating muscles
  • Nerve damage
In some cases, the cause of dysphagia can be neurological. If your cat is suffering from a brain disorder or rabies, dysphagia may be one of the side effects of the condition. 
Diagnosis of Swallowing Difficulties in Cats
If you notice your cat having trouble swallowing on repeated occasions, bring him into a veterinarian as soon as possible. Tell the veterinarian what symptoms you have noticed, when they first began, and how often they have occurred. If your cat has been injured or suffered any form of trauma, make sure you let the veterinarian know.
After discussing your cat’s symptoms, the vet may perform diagnostic tests to get a better idea of the cat’s health. First, a complete blood count, urinalysis and biochemical profile will be completed to determine if your cat has an infection or muscle injury. 
Vets may also take X-rays of the mouth, skull, and chest, as well as an ultrasound of the pharynx. These tests are done to determine if there is any structural damage or growths. If growths are found, the vet will likely take a biopsy to test for cancerous cells. 
At this point, the vet should be able to determine the cat has some form of dysphagia. But, the vet may still need to run a test, known as a fluoroscopic barium swallow, to see how your cat is swallowing. During this test, food material and barium is given to your cat while the vet observes him swallowing using a video X-ray device. This will help the vet figure out where the issue lies within the cat’s oral cavity and throat.
Treatment of Swallowing Difficulties in Cats
The treatment plan for dysphagia will depend on the underlying cause. If an infection is causing the issue, antibiotics will be prescribed, but if the issue is inflammation, steroids may be given instead. Both of these medications may need to be administered to the cat at home for up to ten days.
If a strained or contracted muscle is causing your cat to gag and cough up food, the vet may prescribe muscle relaxers to help this muscle relax and allow your cat to swallow.
If the cause is some sort of structural damage or abscesses, surgery may be required to correct the issue.
If the biopsy reveals there are cancerous cells within the abscesses, your vet will discuss different chemotherapy and radiation treatment options with you.
Finally, dental disease may need to be treated by removing the infected teeth and administering antibiotics.
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Recovery of Swallowing Difficulties in Cats
Unless the cause of your cat’s swallowing difficulties was cancer, he or she should recover within one to two weeks. But, cats will have trouble eating food while they recover from dysphagia, so it’s your responsibility to make eating easier until they are well. Talk to your vet about how you can make your cat more comfortable and help him keep food down. For example, the vet may recommend you only feed the cat soft, mushy foods that will easy slide down the cat’s throat. Or, the vet may recommend you position the cat in a certain way while you feed him. In extreme cases when the cat has lost a significant amount of weight, the vet may keep your cat on a feeding tube while he recovers.
Any medication prescribed by the vet must be administered as advised. Be sure to bring your cat in for a follow-up so the vet can ensure everything is healing correctly.
Swallowing Difficulties Average Cost
From 584 quotes ranging from $300 - $3,000
Average Cost
$1,800
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Swallowing Difficulties Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
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cat
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8 Years
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32 found this helpful

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32 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Noisy Breathing
He can't meow very good it seems like his meow is kind of muffled and he was having a little difficulty swallowing
Nov. 10, 2020
Answered by Dr. Linda S. MVB MRCVS
32 Recommendations
Hi there, A change in meow can have many causes including hoarseness secondary to overuse, laryngitis, a viral infection, a foreign body in the throat etc. He should be checked by a vet who may look into his throat and run some tests such as a blood test. If his breathing is affected or he seems distressed or cannot settle, this should be done urgently.
Nov. 10, 2020
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Domestic gray shorthair cat
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dog-age-icon
5 mos
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0 found this helpful

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0 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Difficultly Swallowing (Not When Eating)
Kitten swallows oddly sometimes, not when eating...looks like it's difficult for her or she finds the need to swallow for no reason. One side under her chin/on throat seems to be a bit swollen. Otherwise does not show any signs of sickness.
Sept. 25, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I apologize for the delay, this venue is not set up for urgent emails. It would be best to have your pet seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine them, see what might be going on, and get any testing or treatment taken care of that might be needed.
Oct. 20, 2020
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Lynx point Siamese
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dog-age-icon
Eight Years
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0 found this helpful

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0 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Throat
My cats always been a puker but lately he’s been puking more often. Then I noticed he had a bit of a snore a couple months back didn’t think anything of it. Then I started to notice something with his throat maybe... then today his meow was very scratchy which he’s made this before but I don’t think he can actually meow normal today now that I think of it... I just fed him and he tried to eat and couldn’t. He chewed the food but couldn’t swallow it. He won’t let me look in his throat plus their mouths are so much smaller than dogs I’m not sure how I would even try
Sept. 25, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I apologize for the delay, this venue is not set up for urgent emails. I hope that your pet is feeling better. If they are still having problems, It would be best to have your pet seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine them, see what might be going on, and get any testing or treatment taken care of that might be needed.
Oct. 21, 2020
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Black and White cat
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Four Years
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9 found this helpful

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9 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Gurgling Purr
I have a long haired cat that has frequent hairballs but recently she has started throwing up her food right after she eats it. That might be because she eats too quickly but that’s not my big concern. I’m more concerned about when she’s purring it’s very choppy and sounds like a gurgle almost but she swallows a lot while purring, Ive noticed it for about a week now and wonder if it’s serious or not.
Aug. 3, 2020
Answered by Jessica N. DVM
9 Recommendations
Hello- Because the sounds that she’s making are changing plus the increased vomiting I do think that is cause for concern. I would try and get a video of her new noises that she’s making and schedule an appointment with your veterinarian so they can evaluate her. They may want to take x-rays to assess her chest and abdomen to make sure all looks normal and perform some blood work. Vomiting more than two times per month in cats is considered abnormal. There are several different causes including Inflammatory bowel disease, food sensitivity, pancreatitis, and sometimes lymphoma though that tends to be a disease of older cats. I do think with her recent changes though it would be a good idea to have her examined. I hope she feels better soon.
Aug. 3, 2020
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brown tabby
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dog-age-icon
Four Years
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6 found this helpful

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6 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Compulsive Licking After Chocking
my cat was choking on a ribbon and we got it out of his throat. he has been constantly licking his mouth ever since.
Aug. 2, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
6 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I would imagine that your cat's throat is quite irritated after something like that, and it may take some time for him to be back to normal. If he continues to lick his mouth for more than a couple of days, I would be concerned, as I would be as well if he is not eating. If he is eating, and doing well, you may be fine to monitor him. If he is not eating, and the licking continues, then it would be best to have him seen by your veterinarian. I hope that he is okay.
Aug. 2, 2020
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American Short Hair
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Louie
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12 Years
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Throw Up
My cat 12 years old, Louie acts normal, plays well, eats well, no issues with bathroom but he started vomiting in Nov 2018 and I took him to vet for blood, urine, ultrasound test. Vet said he has a little thicken small intestine, and IBD but not that serious. She prescribed a kidney dry food and royal canin IBD dry food but my cat did not eat. He just wanted to eat other regular dry food. With cerenia, he did not vomit and it seemed stop. But after months, he restarted vomit. Then this year May 2020 I took tests again. Other vet said it’s natural for a senior cat to have this and diagnosed IBD, kidney 1st stage , auto immune disease and advised to feed him only wet food. She prescribed a Prilosec for vomit treatment but it does not work so she advised a cerenia 16mg. My cat begs for dry food so I asked vet any better dry food since he vomits a dry food. She prescribed hill’s z/d dry food with a cerenia. When cerenia stops, he vomit z/d food. I’m now trying to other better diet. Ultamino dry food for auto immune disease, and other natural dry food at open farms and purina kidney early stage, renal dry food. Does purina probiotics gastrointestinal supplement good for my cat? I want to try anything good for my cat to eat well. From 3 days ago, he acts like he wants to eat more but he eats less. He has appetite but he eats small and he looks uncomfortable eating or swallowing. He got no dental issue but he always finishes all treats but he chews multiple times and left pieces without consuming. 1. Is cerenia very strong to give him in lifetime? What’s good way to give? Should I give him 2 or 3 days in a row and rest 2 or 3 days off to restart? Or should I give him every other day? I usually give him 1/2 tab, 16mg cerenia. 2. There are many prescription food, My vet said he is IBD but she recommends Z/D or Renal food. Are they all good to try for my cat? Such As IBD , kidney food, renal food, Ultamino? 3. 1/2 tab, 16mg cerenia seems working but if it did not work, what is best medication for my cat? High dose cerenia or other pill? Thank you for reading. Please help. PS. His poop, Urine looks ok. He vomit 1 or 3 times every other day. Brown bile with chewed dry food or with chewed dry food with hairball. His weight is used to be 16lbs but he is now 15.60 lbs because yesterday he vomited 3 times a day. He patrols in the house as usual and shows interest things but he eats less but he looks he wants to eat more. He sleeps more.
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Maine Coon
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Ishtar
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14 Years
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0 found this helpful

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My pet has the following symptoms:
Weight Loss
Gagging
Vomiting
Drooling
Loss Of Appetite
Weak Bladder
13 year old female cat. excessive drooling for last 48 hour, seems worse after eating. Drool is several ounces an hour, bed is wet. Weazy when breathing. Sometimes gags. Constantly licking her lips and swallowing. Vomit with yellow bile at onset, but did not repeat. General lethargy. Not eating much, but eating/drinking some. Syringe feeding water. She picks at her wet food, and will drink some water with milk. Minimal defecation, seems wet. No bad breath, mouth looked ok. Talked to vet, the can see her in 5 days (covid 19 delays).
Swallowing Difficulties Average Cost
From 584 quotes ranging from $300 - $3,000
Average Cost
$1,800
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