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Toxoplasmosis Symptoms in Cats: Our Vet Explains the Causes, Signs & Treatments

February 12, 2024

The publish Toxoplasmosis Symptoms in Cats: Our Vet Explains the Causes, Signs & Treatments by Dr. Marti Dudley, DVM (Vet) appeared first on Catster. Copying over whole articles infringes on copyright legal guidelines. You is probably not conscious of it, however all of those articles have been assigned, contracted and paid for, so they are not thought of public area. However, we recognize that you simply just like the article and would find it irresistible in the event you continued sharing simply the primary paragraph of an article, then linking out to the remainder of the piece on Catster.com.

Toxoplasmosis is a illness impacting cats that may be picked up from the atmosphere. Toxoplasmosis is often mentioned in households because of the danger it poses to pregnant ladies. But what precisely is toxoplasmosis, and the way does it affect cats? Continue studying under to be taught extra about this pathogen.

What Is Toxoplasmosis?

Toxoplasmosis is a illness attributable to a single-cell protozoan parasite, Toxoplasma gondii. Cats turn out to be contaminated with toxoplasma when the contaminated stage is ingested, sometimes by means of the consumption of an intermediate host or unintended consumption of fecal matter.

Toxoplasma gondii has just one definitive host: the cat. A definitive host is a bunch by which the parasite reproduces and creates eggs. However, this protozoan can affect most warm-blooded animals, together with people. An intermediate host is an animal by which the parasite can multiply in a cyst kind, however the parasite is unable to finish its life cycle. A cat turns into contaminated with Toxoplasma gondii when an intermediate host housing a cyst is ingested or when an oocyst from the atmosphere is consumed.

Definitive Host

Once the cystic stage or infective oocyst is ingested by a cat, the protozoan is launched into the gastrointestinal tract the place it begins to kind eggs, referred to as oocysts. The oocysts are then deposited into the atmosphere by means of defecation.

Alternatively, some Toxoplasma gondii protozoans go away the gastrointestinal tract and encyst in different tissue, typically muscle or mind matter.

Intermediate Host

Other animals can turn out to be contaminated with Toxoplasma gondii when oocysts are ingested, or if meat containing a cyst is ingested. Once ingested by the intermediate host, the protozoan escapes the oocyst and invades different cells, ultimately forming a cyst. Here, the parasite waits to be consumed by a cat so as to full its life cycle.

man petting a sick siberian cat Image Credit: Olesya_Alexandrova, Shutterstock

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What Are the Signs of Toxoplasmosis in Cats?

Cats contaminated with Toxoplasma gondii might not exhibit indicators, as their immune system is efficient at limiting the parasite. Unfortunately, cats with compromised immune techniques usually tend to develop medical indicators related to toxoplasmosis. Examples embrace cats which are very younger, FIV constructive, or have feline leukemia.

Possible indicators of toxoplasmosis embrace:

Fever
Lethargy
Seizures or different neurologic abnormalities, together with head urgent, circling, and impaired imaginative and prescient
Jaundice (if protozoan has reached the reside)
Pneumonia (if protozoan has reached the lungs)

Diagnosing and Treating Toxoplasmosis in Cats

Toxoplasmosis is usually recognized by means of analysis of historical past and laboratory checks that consider antibody ranges to Toxoplasma gondii. In different eventualities, an infection will be recognized by means of tissue or spinal fluid analysis.

Fortunately, toxoplasmosis is treatable with antibiotics. Clindamycin is often administered for two–4 weeks to affected cats.

blood sample for toxoplasmosis test Image Credit: luchschenF, Shutterstock

How to Care for a Cat With Toxoplasmosis

If your cat has been recognized with toxoplasmosis, you will need to carefully observe directions supplied to you by your veterinarian.

The litter field needs to be cleaned as quickly as doable after defecation has occurred, and the stool needs to be correctly disposed of. Fresh feces contaminated with Toxoplasma gondii are usually not infectious for at the least 24 hours after it’s deposited within the atmosphere, because the oocyst wants time to mature.

Ensure that any immunocompromised cats are stored indoors to restrict their publicity to infectious brokers of their atmosphere.

Zoonotic Potential

Zoonotic illnesses are illnesses that may be handed from animals to people. Toxoplasmosis is zoonotic and may trigger abortions in pregnant ladies. Women who’re contaminated with Toxoplasma gondii might go on to move the an infection onto their youngster in utero, which can result in blindness or developmental delays. Women who’re pregnant or might turn out to be pregnant ought to train warning when cleansing the litter field, or higher but, ought to keep away from that accountability.

Often, individuals contaminated with Toxoplasma gondii don’t expertise medical indicators. Immunocompromised people usually tend to develop medical indicators of sickness from toxoplasmosis. Signs of an infection can embrace flu-like signs, seizures, and confusion.

Care needs to be taken to totally wash your fingers earlier than getting ready or consuming meals. Ensure that meat shouldn’t be consumed uncooked. Additionally, as a result of oocysts can survive within the atmosphere for lengthy intervals of time, gloves needs to be used when gardening.

vet holding cat in the clinic Image Credit: megaflopp, Shutterstock

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can My Cat Pass Toxoplasmosis to My Dog?

Yes, your cat might be able to move Toxoplasma gondii to your canine in case your canine consumes contaminated feces. Most typically, wholesome canine don’t exhibit medical indicators of an infection; nevertheless, immunocompromised people might expertise fever, seizures, and doubtlessly dying.

My Cat Has Been Diagnosed With Toxoplasmosis. What Is Their Prognosis?

Overall prognosis varies relying on the organs impacted by the an infection. Most contaminated cats stay symptom-free. If the an infection impacts the liver or lungs, the prognosis is much less favorable. Response to therapy can also be telling concerning prognosis.

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Conclusion

Toxoplasmosis is a illness attributable to Toxoplasma gondii. Although infections with this protozoan may cause severe indicators, like seizures, the definitive and intermediate hosts typically don’t expertise medical indicators. Immunocompromised hosts usually tend to develop indicators of sickness. However, with acceptable therapy, restoration is feasible relying on organ involvement.

Zoonotic potential exists, so warning have to be taken by individuals cleansing the litter field, and all meat needs to be totally cooked earlier than consumption. If you think that your cat has indicators associated to an an infection with Toxoplasma gondii, you need to schedule an appointment together with your veterinarian.

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