Toxoplasmosis in Cats and Humans
Toxoplasmosis is an infectious disease caused by the unicellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii in cats. In many cats an infection with toxoplasmosis goes largely unnoticed.
Why you should still take toxoplasmosis seriously and what risks the disease entails for cats and humans is explained below.
What is toxoplasmosis?
Toxoplasmosis is caused by Toxoplasma gondii. The final host is always a cat, as the parasites can only multiply in the small intestine of the cat.
The oocysts of Toxoplasma gondii are then excreted in the faeces and can be ingested by other animals such as birds, mice or even cattle via food plants. In this way they can spread further and be transferred to other cats, for example via prey.
Toxoplasmosis is a so-called zoonosis. This means that transmission from cats to humans is also possible. In cat owners, this is especially often the case through contact with cat excrement.
In addition, however, infection via contaminated soil during gardening or the consumption of meat that has not been heated sufficiently is also possible.
Symptoms of toxoplasmosis in cats
In healthy cats the infection with toxoplasmosis is usually harmless. Mostly only slight symptoms like some diarrhoea occur in cats with toxoplasmosis.
However, in animals with previous illnesses or an age-related weakened immune system, this can look different. Especially for kittens and old cats an infection with toxoplasmosis can be very dangerous and can sometimes be chronic.
Among the possible symptoms of the disease are then
- Fever
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Respiratory problems
- Cough
- Eye inflammation
- Cramps
- Jaundice
- Severe diarrhoea
- Weight loss
- Myocarditis
- Meningitis
Toxoplasmosis in cats: Diagnosis and treatment
Toxoplasmosis can even be fatal for young and weakened cats and a visit to the vet is essential.
In order to detect an infection with toxoplasmosis in cats, the veterinarian will examine blood and faeces samples of the cat. Whether treatment is necessary depends on the condition of the affected animal.
In a healthy cat with a strong immune system, the body usually copes with the disease on its own, so that therapeutic measures are not necessary.
If a cat develops chronic toxoplasmosis due to a weakened immune system, treatment may be necessary. Depending on the symptoms, this usually includes the administration of antibiotics or glucocorticoids.
Toxoplasmosis and the human being
Toxoplasmosis is a zoonosis. So not only cats but also humans can be infected with the parasites. Similar to cats, people with a functioning immune system usually do not develop any significant symptoms of the disease.
In immunocompromised people, however, the disease can manifest itself in the form of cramps and coordination problems. In addition, an infection with toxoplasmosis during pregnancy can have serious consequences for the unborn child.
Miscarriages are just as possible as the development of hydrocephalus. Pregnant women should therefore pay more attention to reducing the risk of toxoplasmosis infection.
Immunity against toxoplasmosis
A cat once infected with toxoplasmosis is permanently immune against a new infection. It also no longer excretes oocysts and can therefore no longer spread the dangerous parasites.
This also applies to people who are permanently immune after a single infection with toxoplasmosis and therefore cannot become ill a second time.
Preventing infection with toxoplasmosis
To prevent infection with toxoplasmosis, it is usually sufficient to follow a few simple precautions.
These include avoiding direct contact with cat feces. Immunocompromised people should therefore be particularly careful when cleaning the litter tray.
Raw meat should not be eaten, because it may also contain Toxoplasma gondii, which can only be killed by sufficient heating. It’s always advisable to wash fruit and vegetables thoroughly to avoid possible transmission through contact with insects or snails.
Gardening in particular poses a potential risk. This is because in damp soil, parasites can sometimes survive for several years without a host. Pregnant women in particular, who are not immune to toxoplasmosis, should therefore refrain from working in the garden for safety reasons.
Strengthen the immune system of your cat
A cat with a strong immune system has in most cases nothing to fear from toxoplasmosis infection. In order to protect your quadruped, you should therefore make sure to support his defences.
In addition to avoiding unnecessary stress and feeding a good cat food, it is also advisable to use special food supplements.
In our product range you will find two high-quality products with natural ingredients: I love my cat Immun and Shiimun Immun. Both products provide your cat with valuable nutrients for a strong immune system.
Toxoplasmosis in cats - our conclusion
As you can see, toxoplasmosis is quite common in cats and is also associated with certain risks for humans. What consequences the infection has for humans and animals in the end depends primarily on their general condition.
A strong immune system can help both cats and humans to survive an infection with toxoplasmosis unscathed. Irrespective of this, pregnant women should always be careful to avoid harm to their unborn child.
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