Cat has no voice after being missing.

[Thunderface]

We have a 2 year old male. He is mostly an indoor cat but he has been spending more time outside in recent weeks. At the end of last week he didn't come in when called and we couldn't find him. He was gone for three days and turned up late on Monday night.
He seemed a little thin and shaken up but looked otherwise fine and was delighted to be home and fed. Yesterday I thought he was quieter. He is normally very vocal. It's been two days now. He can purr and is eating fine but no meows or normal chat at all.
We have a vet appointment booked for Friday but dd is worried. She said he seemed to gag and shake his head earlier but he is eating, drinking and using litter box as normal.
Has anyone any experience of similar?
Thanks

Probably absolutely shattered poor thing . Mine was after going missing,he was quiet and exhausted but was fine after lots of sleeping and eating.

Sore throat?
One of my cats lost his voice for a few days after an operation. It did come back.

Has he lost his voice from being stuck somewhere and meowing repeatedly?
See what the vet says but it could well be trauma from being lost and it will subside.

Our cat lost her meow for a while but she got it back, no vet involved.

Thanks everyone.
I can imagine him meowing non stop if he was stuck somewhere so it could be that.
He is usually so vocal and he 'sings'. It's worrying not to hear anything.

My very vocal, chatty outdoor cat can go very quiet for a day or so when he is stressed about something e.g. there is an 'intruder' cat or he has had a fight.

Hope your boy has his meoow back soon x

It does sound like he has got shut in somewhere and lost his voice.

In humans, it is usually drink plenty and rest the voice.

Hope he is better soon x

My female cat loses her meow occasionally - I've never taken her to a vet over it and it's always been fine within a couple of days.