Squeaker Sammy

When I first picked up Sammy from the vet, she told me he made some unusual sounds, but she wasn’t sure why. His heart and lungs sounded normal, but for some reason he just made strange noises, kind of like a sad squeaky dog toy.

I brought him home and also noticed the noises. They seemed to intensify when I would pick him up, or when he seemed excited. He also made them for mama when he was nursing. The noises didn’t seem to bother him or cause any distress. They were just weird!

While he was under anesthesia for his neuter surgery, the vet was able to complete a more thorough exam. She determined that he has partial laryngeal paralysis. This condition is most commonly found in older dogs.

The vet took some time to read up about it in cats and also consulted a veterinary surgery specialist. It appears there isn’t much known about this condition in kittens. Since Sammy is happy and healthy now, our hope is he will continue to thrive and be fine. He may need throat surgery in the future or have other needs, he may be just fine. There’s no way to know for sure.

Fortunately, Sammy was adopted by a wonderful family yesterday who is committed to loving him, and providing all the future medical care he may need. Sammy is truly a one of a kind kitten, and I’m happy to have been a part of his journey.