Overview
Toxoplasmosis is a type of infection normally associated with domestic cats . Once hombre are initially exposed to the parasite that causes toxoplasmosis , they set out actively shedding oocysts in their throne .
Toxoplasmosis is considered a public health business organisation because the infection can make pass from cats to multitude during this shedding point . A subject field recently estimatedthat 37.5 percentage of domestic cats worldwide have been exposed to the sponger that causes this contagion as exhibit by the presence of antibodies within their blood . to boot , about 2.6 percent of cat were shedding oocysts in their stool indicating a current , active infection .
Because infected cats can pose a risk to humans , pet parent should understand what toxoplasmosis is and how to forestall their cats from becoming infected .
What Is Toxoplasmosis?
Toxoplasmosis is an infection get by a protozoon parasite calledToxoplasma gondii . It affect many dissimilar types of animals and can result in a panoptic variety show of symptoms . It is relatively common in guy but most are asymptomatic despite being infected with the parasite .
This disease is also zoonotic , which mean that it can diffuse from cats to people . out-of-door quat are much more likely to become infected compare to indoor cats due to their likeliness of coming into contact with polluted ground or other creature who may be carrying the parasite .
Causesof Toxoplasmosis in Cats
computed tomography can get toxoplasmosiswhen they ingest an infected gnawer or bird , in the buff pith , or contaminated fecal material within the environment .
In as trivial as three days after becoming infected , cats begin to drop oocysts in their stool . Shedding may continue for up to 20 days . After the oocysts are passed by the cat and exposed to the environs , they become infective and can cause disease in other animate being or people if accidentally ingested . septic cats usually only actively shed oocysts once in their lives after their first picture toToxoplasma gondii . However , the sponger can enter the tissue paper of the Caterpillar and induce a inveterate , inactive infection . If a cat becomes immunosuppressed , re - shedding of oocysts may occur .
Since toxoplasmosis can be passed from cats to humans , it is understandable that many favorite parents may be come to about exposure . This transmission occurs through accidental ingestion of infected faecal stuff , not by plainly breathing in cat litter . inadvertent uptake can occur if a preferred parent cleans the litter box of an septic bozo and forget to wash his or her hands afterwards before reach his or her mouth or eating a meal . Practicing good hand hygiene when incline to the litter box , such as wear boxing glove and washables hand , can reduce the risk of infection in people .
ToxoplasmosisSymptomsin Cats
Many healthy cats do not show any signs that they have been infected byToxoplasma gondii . However , when cats do show symptoms , they can be highly variable depending on the bozo ’s wellness status and age .
symptom that may be envision in cats with toxoplasmosis include :
This infection can also negatively impact the learning ability and center in some cats . Infected cats may experience the following symptoms :
Diagnosing Toxoplasmosisin Cats
Veterinarians will start with a strong-arm examination and take a history from the favourite parent to identify any abnormalities or cue as to what might be affecting the cat . If toxoplasmosis is suspected , a stool sample can be collect and essay under the microscope to place oocysts that the cat may be shedding . Blood and other trunk fluids may be send out to a lab for more specific examination .
diagnosing can also be made by sending a tissue sample to a pathologist for review ; however , this can be dear and is typically done station - mortem . Additional testing , such as X - ray of light , a neurologic exam , and an eye examination can be performed to support a diagnosis of toxoplasmosis .
ToxoplasmosisTreatmentin Cats
Clindamycin , an antibiotic , is commonly order for a period of 3 to 4 weeks to address toxoplasmosis in cats . An anti - parasitic medicinal drug known as pyrimethamine in combination with an antibiotic call sulfadiazine may also be used . In many case , no treatment is necessary in cats .
Some cat may necessitate hospitalization if they are very ill from the infection . discussion may comprise of intravenous fluid and other necessary supportive charge , such as oxygen therapy , until they are feeling salutary . Cats may be collapse additional treatment based on their presenting symptoms at the discretion of the veterinarian .
Treatment costs for toxoplasmosis can vary greatly depending on the symptom the cat is experiencing and the types of treatment being administered . Clindamycin is given orally at home and can range from $ 20-$30 for a course of intervention . Supportive tutelage or hospitalisation can range from $ 500 or more .
How to PreventToxoplasmosis in Cats
The best preventative measure favorite parents can take to abbreviate the danger of toxoplasmosis in their Arabian tea is to keep them indoors . Since rodents are a reservoir for contagion , ensuring the household is rodent - free is vital .
If a cat does become infected , it is important to separate him from other cats within the household . This let in providing separate food and water bowls , freestanding bedding , and a separate bedding boxful until the desquamation of oocysts stops .
If pet parent are ineffective to keep their kat inside , deterring rodents and chick from the belongings is helpful . ascertain outdoor cat always have admission to clean , tonic water so they are not tempted to search for other water rootage that could potentially be contaminated . Feeding cats dry food rather than a stark naked diet also reduces their risk of contracting the infection .
favourite parent may also be interested in learning how they can prevent infection in themselves if their Arabian tea is diagnose with toxoplasmosis . clean the bedding material loge every daylight can greatly reduce the risk of cat to human transmission . Oocysts that have been shed by an septic cat must be expose to the environment for one to five mean solar day before becoming infectious . The accurate sentence time period will depend on environmental condition , but cleaning the bedding box each daylight is an important guideline to follow .
preferred parents should always wash their bridge player after tending to the litter box or after coming into inter-group communication with any area alfresco , such as sandboxes , that cats may have ca-ca in as well .
