Toxoplasmosis In Cats and Dogs

Toxoplasmosis is the most common parasitic infection worldwide. It is estimated to affect several billion people. It is caused by a single-celled organism Toxoplasma gondii. Toxoplasmosis presents a serious health risk for people. Infection is especially dangerous for people with supressed immune system and pregnant women. The cat is the only animal in which sexual reproduction of the organism occurs, so cats are the only domestic animals that have the potential to shed the infected eggs.

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In the environment, T. gondii cysts take 48-72 hours to sporulate and become infective.

Toxoplasmosis affects cats that ingest raw meat or prey that contains the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Kittens can become infected in the womb and die before birth. Although infection is very common in cats, most cats do not get sick. Kittens are at the highest risk.

Signs

The signs of toxoplasmosis often include fever, lack of appetite, lethargy, diarrhea, and weight loss. Pneumonia, liver disease, and infection of the central nervous system are more devastating. Many afflicted cats do not survive.

Toxoplasmosis in dogs and cats can cause chorioretinitis (a form of bacterial uveitis which can lead to loss of vision), anterior uveitis (inflammation of the iris), or both. Eye lesions are a common manifestation of systemic toxoplasmosis. A diagnosis is made through blood tests. Infections involving only eyes can be treated successfully.

Role of Dogs in Transmitting Toxoplasmosis

Dogs may act as a mecanical factor in transmitting toxoplasmosis to people by rolling in infected feces and by ingesting fecal material. It is estimated that 50% of stray dogs and cats carry T.gondii antibodies, which means that they have been infected and may transmit the parasite to people. Reports show that dogs in shelters, dogs living in close contact with wild birds and rodents in rural areas, and dogs fed raw meat are at mich higher risk for being infected.

Protect Your Cat And Yourself

• Do not eat raw or undercooked meat.
  The most common source of infection to people in the United States is through undercooked or raw meat, especially pork. Proper cooking or freezing will kill the parasite.
• Avoid eating unpasteurized dairy products.
• Avoid handling free-roaming cats or any that show signs of illness.

• Protect your cats from infections by keeping them indoors, and do not feed them raw meat or unpasteurized dairy products.
• Change your cat's litter every day. If infected, cats can release infected eggs in their feces for up to one to two weeks. Once infected, cats cease shedding infected eggs. It is extremely rare for them to shed eggs at any other time in their lives. An egg must be in the environment for 1 to 5 days before it can cause an infection.

Cats that will live in households with pregnant women should be tested for the presence of toxoplasma antibodies. A positive-testing cat is probably immune to infection. A negative-testing cat is susceptible to infection, and, if exposed, might shed the organism in the feces for a week or two afterward. In either cases, be sure to reduce your cat's chance of exposure by following the list of recommendations.

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