What are Toxoplasmosis?
While all warm-blooded animals can be intermediate hosts of this disease, only cats are definite hosts. This means that the parasite can only produce eggs while infecting a cat. The parasite multiplies in the intestines and produces millions of eggs which then exit the body in feces. These eggs begin to exit three to ten days after infection has occurred and continue to exit for another 10-14 days thereafter.
The single-celled parasite, Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), can cause infection in virtually all warm-blooded animals. This disease is referred to as toxoplasmosis. Though it is present in 20-60 percent of cats, it only manifests itself as a significant disease in rare cases. Cats with immune deficiencies (such as feline leukemia virus, feline immunodeficiency virus or feline infectious peritonitis) and young kittens are the most susceptible to toxoplasmosis.
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Symptoms of Toxoplasmosis in Cats
The infection of T. gondii tends to affect many parts of the body including the neural system, the liver and the muscles of the cat. Possible symptoms are as follows:
- Fever
- Lethargy
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Difficulty eating
- Inflammation of the eye (both uveitis and retinitis)
- Abnormal pupils
- Blindness
- Personality changes
- Circling
- Pressing head against the wall
- Paralysis
- Ear twitching
- Seizures
- Loss of coordination
- Sensitive to touch
- Muscle pain
- Incontinence
- Hepatitis (liver disease) causing jaundice
- Enlarged lymph nodes
- Pneumonia
Causes of Toxoplasmosis in Cats
To become infected and develop toxoplasmosis, the cat must come in contact with T. gondii or its eggs. The eggs can live for 18 months or longer in water or soil. Common causes of exposure include:
- Contact with parasite outdoors
- Eating of raw meats infected with T. gondii
- Hunting of small mammals
- A bite or scratch from an infected cat
- Drinking water contaminated by T. gondii
- Sharing a litter box with an infected cat
Diagnosis of Toxoplasmosis in Cats
Your veterinarian will need your cat’s complete medical history before attempting diagnosis. They will assess all symptoms present in the cat and compare them with signs of toxoplasmosis. Even though the parasite’s eggs are often present in the fecal matter, it is generally not tested due to results mimicking many other parasitic infections.
A lab test that will generally be performed measures the antibodies in the cat. IgG and IgM (immunoglobulin G and M) are both antibodies that form in the blood after infection from T. gondii. If many IgG antibodies are found, the cat has most likely developed immunity to the parasite. If many IgM antibodies are found, the cat is currently infected and is most likely dispelling eggs. If no antibodies are found, the cat is susceptible to infection but is not currently diseased.
Another test that might be performed is a microscopic examination of tissue impression smears (surface sample). These tests look for distinctive pathological changes and the beginnings of tachyzoite (one of three infectious stages of T. gondii) development.
Treatment of Toxoplasmosis in Cats
There currently is no cure for toxoplasmosis. Treatment is available to help slow down the process of infection and aid the cat in handling the stages of infection.
Different antibiotics can be prescribed to disable the progression of parasitic infection. Clindamycin is often prescribed to disseminate the T. gondii organisms. Pyrimethamine along with sulfadiazine or trimethoprim sulphonamide can be administered to stop reproduction of T. gondii. The antibiotics are given immediately and are taken until at least several symptom-free days have passed. If no improvement is seen in three days, rediagnosis may be necessary.
Most cats respond favorably to these treatments. Once again young cats and cats with immune suppression tend to fare worse.
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Recovery of Toxoplasmosis in Cats
If you have other cats it is important to take precautions to ensure they also do not become infected. Clean the litter box carefully with scalding water on a daily basis. T. gondii requires one to five days once exited from the cat to become infectious, so daily removal of feces can prevent the spreading of the parasite. Thoroughly wash hands after removal of cat waste. Pregnant women or people undergoing chemotherapy treatment should not handle the litter box as they are vulnerable to toxoplasmosis development.
Keep your cats indoors to prevent contact with the parasite. Also, do not allow your cat to eat raw meats. T. gondii produces cysts in the animals it infects that can spread the disease if eaten.
Toxoplasmosis Average Cost
From 402 quotes ranging from $500 - $3,000
Average Cost
$800
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Toxoplasmosis Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Cat
Nami
7 Months
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Lethargy And Paralysis -
I have been treating my 7 month old kitten for what we believe is toxoplasmosis for 2 weeks. She was losing the ability to walk properly and was very dizzy. She is walking a bit better so the vet recommended another 2 weeks of medication but she is still constantly under the bed and walking weak. How long until her symptoms will completely clear? Also I have 2 full grown male cats aswell, if they had been exposed would I have seen symptoms in them by now or do I need to take them to the vet to be sure?
Jan. 2, 2018
1 Recommendations
Most cats are asymptomatic for Toxoplasmosis but some cats (young and immunosuppressed cats) may show symptoms. Treatment for Toxoplasmosis in cats is clindamycin which is normally given for two to three weeks but sometimes the treatment may need to be repeated. Other conditions like cerebellar hypoplasia may also be causing similar looking neurological and behavioural symptoms. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Jan. 2, 2018
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Brown tabby
Calvin
7 mo old
2 found this helpful
2 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Wobbly
Head Shake
Can toxoplasmosis in my cat present with symptoms similar to cerebellar hypoplasia? He was diagnosed with CH at about 9 weeks of age and within the last 3 weeks his symptoms have worsened. I understand that CH is not a progressive condition.
Oct. 27, 2017
2 Recommendations
In most cases Toxoplasmosis is asymptomatic unless a cat is immunosuppressed or has another concurrent condition; Toxoplasmosis symptoms can be vague but may include neurological symptoms. Testing for Toxoplasmosis is generally unrewarding as an asymptomatic carrier will show positive; an MRI would be a useful diagnostic tool to confirm cerebellar hypoplasia. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Oct. 27, 2017
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Siamese
Artemis
5 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Weight Loss
Seizures
Paralysis
Loss Of Appetite
Crying
Red Eyes
We are currently waiting on an answer from the lab if my cat Artemis has toxo. he started out with the usual URI symptoms, which was treated, but after a few weeks we noticed he was gradually losing weight and his eyes were still bright red despite the eye drops the vet gave us. We were tossed the well it might be FIP it might be Toxo card. unfortunately the lab results won't come back till wednesday, but in the meantime we started the medicine. At first he was fine taking them, a mixture of clindamycin, prednisone, and the prednisolone drops. day two of the medication, he had a seizure, right before that I noticed he was unable to use his back legs. I thought perhaps it was the drops as that was the last thing given to him and perhaps I gave it too soon after his prednisone pill. After a few hours of syringe feeding him kitty ensure shakes and baby food, he was able to walk again. Well I just gave him his clindamycin by itself, he had another seizure. I know this sounds stupid but should I stop giving him the clindamycin? Is it normal to have seizures from this possible parasite while on this medication? Or is this the yup cross the medication of the list and pray for the best sort of deals?
Toxoplasmosis Average Cost
From 402 quotes ranging from $500 - $3,000
Average Cost
$800
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Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
