Hi

Wondering if anyone can shed any light on this at all and put my minde
at ease.

I have two indoor only Simaese cats (one male, one female).  Up until a
day ago everything was fine, but over the last day the male's meow has
changed.  It sounds more ..... strained and quieter.

The only thing that's happened in the last couple of days was he got
soot on his tail, we wiped him down straight away with a wet flannel
but of course he wanted to lick himself even cleaner after that, and
I'm wondering if it's just something at the back of his throat which
will naturally clear.

He is still eating heartily, purring loudly and playing as normal (very
active), just when he meows it seems strained, like when you can croak
someone's name but not shout when you are ill.  I haven't thought of
illnes as the female would also be suffering from this surely?  Teeth
etc. all look fine.

This happened yesterday and I thought it would pass, it's a day later
and there's a slight improvement - am I best to give him say a week
before going the vets, is it likely to be soot residue etc.

Thanks
Danny