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Cat Health News Articles
Page: 1
| Posted: 9th August 2004 |
| Feline Diseases 2 |
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TOXOPLASMOSIS: This disease of cats and other mammals is caused by a parasitic protozoan, Toxoplasma gondii. Protozoa are single-celled organisms but are not in the same classification as bacteria. They are among the simplest creatures in the animal kingdom. Cats that hunt and consume raw meat will have the greatest chance for contracting Toxoplasmosis. Ingestion of tissue cysts in infected prey or in other raw meat is probably the most common route by which cats are exposed to ToxoplasmaAlthough infection with Toxoplasma is fairly common in cats, actual disease caused by the parasite is relatively rareCats are able to shed Toxoplasma in their feces for a few weeks after they are first infected with the parasite. And as in humans with the disease, cats rarely have symptoms when first infectedA cat can remain healthy appearing and yet have the organism within their bodies. There are no good tests available to determine if your cat is passing Toxoplasma in its feces.
Acutely infected cats might display lethargy, depression, poor appetite, lesions in the retinas of the eyes, weight loss and feverLiver and lung abnormalities may occurAny cat that displays a brain disorder such as incoordination, sensitivity to light, constricted pupils, circling, personality changes or other central nervous system abnormalities should be evaluated for Toxoplasmosis.
Immuno-compromised persons who are undergoing immunosuppressive therapy or those with an immunosuppressive disease such as AIDS should take special precautions against exposure to cat feces because of potential infection with Toxoplasma oocysts in the cat’s stool
Cats acquire Toxoplasma infection by eating any of the three infective stages of the parasite: cyst, oocyst, or tachyzoite. Following ingestion of the cysts in infected prey animals such as rodents or birds, the intra-intestinal infection cycle begins. This cycle occurs only in members of the cat family. |
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