Dec 3, 2024
If you’re a cat owner, you’ve likely heard of toxoplasmosis. But is it serious? Toxoplasmosis is a deadly infection that is caused by Toxoplasma gondii, a single-celled parasite. This parasite has an interesting life cycle that depends on cats to reproduce.
In fact, your cat plays a starring role as T. gondii’s “final host,” where the parasite completes its development and releases its eggs into the environment through the cat’s feces.
Even more importantly, the parasite is zoonotic, meaning it can spread to humans under certain conditions. This is why knowing how toxoplasmosis works and how to prevent it is an important part of cat care.
How Do Cats Get Toxoplasmosis?
Knowing everything your cat does in a day can help protect it from a disease such as toxoplasmosis. To help you, here are some ways cats can get toxoplasmosis:
Contaminated Animals
Outdoor cats, especially those with a knack for catching mice, birds, or other small animals, are at the highest risk. These prey animals often carry tissue cysts in their muscles and organs, which contain the infectious form of this parasite. When a cat eats its catch, the cysts release T. gondii into the cat’s system.
Contaminated Material
Cats can also become infected by eating food or drinking water contaminated with oocysts. These oocysts can survive in the environment for about a year. They might come from soil, plants, or even puddles where the parasite has been deposited by another infected animal.
Contaminated Litter
In multi-cat households or areas with poor litter hygiene, cats might ingest oocysts while grooming themselves if their environment isn’t properly cleaned. If another cat steps into the box and then grooms itself, it could ingest these oocysts. The parasites in a cat’s feces can be easily transmitted to other cats with simple direct contact.
Raw or Undercooked Meat
Some pet owners feed raw diets to their cats. While it might seem natural, raw or undercooked meat can harbor tissue cysts, especially pork, lamb, or beef. Even a tiny amount of contaminated meat can contain the parasite, leading to an infection.
Symptoms of Toxoplasmosis in Cats
Most cats infected with Toxoplasma don’t act sick at all, so you might never know they’re carrying it. However, toxoplasmosis can still cause serious problems in kittens and young cats. This is especially clear in young kittens, elderly cats, and cats with compromised immune systems. Here’s what you can expect:
General Signs
Even if the infection doesn’t target a specific organ, toxoplasmosis can still cause general signs of illness that resemble many other conditions. Cats may develop a fever as their body tries to fight off the infection.
Additionally, your cats might lose interest in food, leading to weight loss and malnutrition. Lethargy is another common sign. You might also see your cat sleeps more, lose interest in playing, or seem to not be in the mood for anything.
Gastrointestinal Issues
The digestive system is often one of the first areas affected by toxoplasmosis, especially in young cats. Infected cats might experience diarrhea that can be either consistent or intermittent. Vomiting, while not as common, can also occur.
These symptoms can collectively lead to dehydration, which may make your cat lethargic or less responsive. Although gastrointestinal signs can be mild, they are more severe in kittens whose immune systems aren’t yet fully developed.
Respiratory Problems
If the infection spreads to the lungs, cats may develop breathing difficulties. You might notice that your cat is breathing more rapidly than usual or struggling to breathe. Sometimes, this is accompanied by coughing or wheezing.
Cats already dealing with illnesses like feline leukemia virus or feline immunodeficiency virus are particularly vulnerable to these respiratory symptoms because their immune systems are less effective at controlling infections.
Neurological Symptoms
In more advanced cases, the parasite can invade the central nervous system, leading to neurological issues. Cats may experience seizures, which can appear suddenly and vary in intensity. Muscle tremors or twitching might also occur. Some cats lose their sense of balance, stumble when they walk or appear disoriented.
Behavioral changes such as confusion or extreme lethargy may develop as the brain becomes affected. Neurological symptoms are among the most serious signs of toxoplasmosis and require immediate veterinary attention.
Ocular Problems
Toxoplasmosis can cause problems in the eyes, leading to noticeable discomfort. Cats with ocular symptoms might squint frequently as a reaction to the irritation. You may see redness in the eye, swelling, or discharge, which can indicate irritation or infection.
In severe cases, vision might be impaired, and your cat may bump into objects or seem hesitant to move in dim lighting. These symptoms occur when the parasite directly affects the retina or other structures of the eye.
How is Toxoplasmosis Diagnosed in Cats?
Diagnosing toxoplasmosis in cats can be a complex process, but each method is important for accuracy. Here are the methods we use to diagnose toxoplasmosis in cats:
Physical Examination
Firstly, we’ll start with the standard physical examination. Our vets will look for any visible symptoms to start off with, paying close attention to fever, respiratory issues, and neurological changes.
We’ll also need your input on the matter, as we may ask questions about your cat’s lifestyle, activities, and other important factors that could help us diagnose the disease.
Blood Tests
Blood tests are commonly used to detect Toxoplasma gondii. A serological test measures the presence of antibodies against the parasite. Two types of antibodies are the main agents these tests look for, namely IgM and IgG antibodies.
Both antibodies pertain to different meanings. High levels of IgM typically point to a current infection, while rising IgG levels means that the cat has been infected previously and is now immune.
Biopsy
In certain cases, particularly when other diagnostic methods yield inconclusive results, a biopsy may be necessary. This involves taking a small sample of tissue from an affected area for microscopic examination. By doing so, we can detect the presence of tachyzoites, the infective stage of Toxoplasma gondii.
Fecal Examination
Since infected cats shed oocysts in their feces, a fecal examination might be conducted to look for these microscopic eggs. However, this method is not perfect. Oocysts can be difficult to identify under a microscope because they resemble those of other parasites.
Imaging and Other Techniques
In cases where neurological or respiratory symptoms are prominent, additional diagnostic imaging tools may be needed. For example, X-rays or ultrasounds can help identify abnormalities in the cat’s organs.
If neurological involvement is suspected, we might make use of more advanced imaging, such as an MRI, or analyze cerebrospinal fluid.
How to Treat Toxoplasmosis in Cats?
Once the disease has been diagnosed, the focus will shift to treatment. The treatment options will work to resolve the symptoms and control the infection. Here’s how we treat your toxoplasmosis in cats:
Medication
The primary treatment method for toxoplasmosis in cats is medication. Clindamycin is the most commonly prescribed drug for the job. It works by targeting the actively replicating stage of the parasite, helping to reduce the severity of the infection.
Clindamycin is typically administered orally in pill or liquid form, though in severe cases, an injectable version may be used initially. The treatment course usually lasts two to four weeks, depending on the cat’s response and the severity of the infection. Additionally, Pyrimethamine is another option for medication.
Supportive Care
Supportive care is also an important part of the entire process. Cats will need care based on their symptoms. Dehydration, seizures, and respiratory problems are some of the symptoms we’ll have to deal with.
Pain management and diet support are also important steps for recovery. Cats that have lost their appetite may benefit from appetite stimulants or specially formulated diets that are easy to digest.
How to Prevent Toxoplasmosis in Cats?
While toxoplasmosis is treatable, prevention is always better than cure. By minimizing your cat’s exposure to Toxoplasma gondii, your cat will be safer from this disease. Here’s how you can start:
Feed a Safe Diet
Avoid feeding your cat raw meat, as this is one of the most common sources of Toxoplasma gondii tissue cysts. Instead, stick to high-quality commercial cat food or thoroughly cooked meat.
Clean Litter Box
Litter boxes are a potential source of infection, especially if an infected cat is shedding oocysts in its feces. Firstly, wear gloves before you start cleaning. Next up, scoop the litter box daily and use hot water and soap for cleaning.
If you have lots of cats, make sure each cat has its own litter box to minimize contamination. This also helps each cat have their own space.
Maintain a Clean Home
If your cat spends time outdoors, reduce the risk of environmental contamination by keeping your yard clean. Additionally, you should also clean the inside of your home, especially if you have multiple cats in the household.
Regular Vet Checkups
Visits to the vet are important to help monitor your cat’s health and wellbeing. Vets can detect any potential issues before they become serious threats, making the treatment process much easier.
Conclusion
Toxoplasmosis in cats is a complex condition, but with the right knowledge, you can protect your cat and manage the risks effectively. While the condition is hardly noticed in some cases, regular visits can help detect any potential issues before the disease becomes harder to treat. With our help, we can protect your cat against toxoplasmosis.