If you own a cat and have never heard of toxoplasma, it's time to learn what it is and how to prevent it. The disease is caused by a single-celled parasite known as Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii). This parasite is common in warm-blooded animals, and it rarely causes a problem.
What is Toxoplasma?
Toxoplasma is an uncommon disease caused by the toxoplasma gondii parasite. The parasite is found in all warm-blooded creatures, but it rarely causes health problems in cats as well as other animals.
A cat comes in contact with the parasite when eating an infected prey. Then the toxoplasma gondii parasite can produce eggs in the cat, which multiply in the small intestine and create an intraintestinal infection cycle. Within three to ten days after the cat has come in contact with the parasite, the cat will shed the eggs or oocytes for up to 14 days. Once excreted, the oocytes can survive for up to a year.
Eventually as the cycle continues, the T. gondii organisms will burrow more deeply into the intestinal wall and infect other organs. However, a cat’s immune system will usually fight off the parasite and cause it to go into a dormant stage. Cats with weak immune systems including those who have feline leukemia virus (FELV) or feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) often develop the disease.
Prevention Methods
Keeping your pet indoors is the best way to keep them safe, because they will be less likely to come in contact with a dead animal. However, mice and other rodents can find their way indoors, which is why it’s just as important to seal all holes and solve the problem as soon as possible. If you have an outdoor cat, make sure to feed it regularly so it doesn’t have to rely on hunting so much. Also, if you notice your cat has a cold or is acting more tired, keep it indoors for a while until it gets over its cold.
It also helps to know the common symptoms, which include swollen glands, fever, lethargy and loss of appetite. If the parasite reaches other organs such as the lungs, your cat may suffer from pneumonia or other respiratory ailments. The disease can also have an affect on the nervous system and cause head pressing, ear twitching, difficulty chewing and swallowing, seizures, abnormal pupil response and size, retina inflammation and inability to control the bladder and bowels. If you notice that your cat is acting unusual, keep a diary of its odd behaviors, because you might have to seek a holistic veterinarian’s advice.
Treatment Options
Conventional drug treatment includes Clindamycin, which is an antibiotic. However, some veterinarians also use pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine, which inhibit the parasite’s reproduction. If you’re cat’s disease is in the beginning stages, an alternative treatment is nosodes. A nosode is a homeopathic remedy made from the respiratory discharges or diseased tissues of a sick animal or person. Although it sounds like the complete opposite of a remedy, it can be a powerful treatment option if it’s prepared correctly.
Since vaccinations don’t exist for toxoplasmosis, it’s imperative to take these simple steps to protect your pet.
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