Toxoplasmosis

Species: cats

Scientific name:  Toxoplasma gondii

Mode of transmission:

• Ingestion of infective cysts from the environment
• Cats can also become infected by consuming cysts present in the tissues of any warm blooded mammal
• Infection can be spread from dam to young via the placenta
• Cats shed infective oocysts for about 2 weeks after initial infection - after that time the cat is unlikely to shed infective oocysts

Clinical signs: may be asmptomatic, diarrhea

Diagnosis: oocysts on fecal examination, various blood tests also available, can be diagonosed on biopsy of infected muscles but this is rarely performed

Prevention:

• Keep cats indoors and prevent hunting
• Cook all meat (for both humans and cats) to 160 degrees F - freezing does not kill infective cysts 
• Wear gloves when gardening
• Clean litter boxes regularly
• Wash produce well before consuming

• Many infections are asymptomatic  
• Signs include: fever, myalgia, swollen lymph nodes, decreased appetite, sore throat
• If a woman is infected with Toxoplamosis for the first time during pregnancy (first and second trimester), abortion, congential abnormalities and mental retardation may result
• Most cases of human toxoplasmosis result from ingesting undercooked meat, improperly washed produce and gardening without gloves, not from cats 
• Keeping cats indoors is key to prevention 
• Pregnant women should not clean litter boxes

Information about human toxoplasmosis from the CDC

Please contact our veterinarians at Animal Medical Hospital in Saint Petersburg, Florida (FL) at 727-896-7127 for more information.