There are several different types of protozoa, and they can affect your cat in different ways. Many protozoan infections will affect the digestive system. While many cats won’t show any signs of infection, you should seek immediate veterinary attention if you notice any of the following symptoms:
- Severe diarrhea
- Weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Difficulty defecating
- Dehydration
- Vomiting
- Mucus or oocysts present in feces
Some cats can become infected by protozoa that can also infect people. These protozoa will cause abnormalities in the feces and may spread to humans. If you notice anything unusual in your cat’s feces, dispose of it immediately and wash your hands carefully to prevent the infection from spreading.
Types
It is possible that cats can be infected by more than one type of protozoa at a time. There are three main types of protozoan infection in cats:
Amebiasis
This type of protozoan infection primarily affects the large intestine, causing inflammation and diarrhea. Amebiasis may also affect the liver and pancreas. Cats are exposed to this protozoan by eating or drinking contaminated food or water. This condition can also affect humans.
Coccidiosis
Cats develop this condition after consuming infected feces or prey animals. This infection usually affects kittens or weak animals, and they may not show any symptoms at all. Symptoms are most likely to appear if the cat is living in an unsanitary environment. In many cases, the infection clears up by itself.
Giardiasis
Giardiasis is prevalent in many species of animal worldwide. This condition will affect the small intestine and causes oocysts (protozoa offspring or “eggs”) to appear in the feces. Cats contract the disease through feces-to-mouth transmission.
Several more types of protozoan infection exist, and many present the same or similar clinical signs. Your vet will be able to determine the type of protozoan infection upon diagnosis.