Toxoplasmosis in Dogs
Toxoplasmosis in Dogs - Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Recovery, Management, Cost
What are Toxoplasmosis?
Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by a single-celled organism, Toxoplasma gondii, capable of infecting both dog and owner alike. The infection is spread either through the feces of infected cats (as sporozoites) or undercooked meat (as tissue cysts). After consumption, the organisms invade the lining of the stomach and lower intestine, quickly spreading throughout the body. In young animals or those with compromised immune systems, this can be fatal if untreated. Older animals with good immune systems usually do not require treatment as they are able to contain the infection and often eliminate it completely. However, the infection can sometimes persist as asymptomatic “pockets” of organisms inside the animal, called bradyzoites.
Toxoplasmosis is an aggressive protozoal disease affecting humans and warm-blooded animals. Found worldwide, it is highly transmissible and can pose a danger to the health of both pet and owner.
Toxoplasmosis Average Cost
From 14 quotes ranging from $200 - $5,000
Average Cost
$700
Wag Compare logo

Get a free pet insurance quote in less than 60 seconds!

Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.

Get a quote

background
Symptoms of Toxoplasmosis in Dogs
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Tremors
  • Shortness of breath
  • Fever
  • Weight loss
  • Refusal of food
  • Inflammation of the eyes
  • Lethargy/muscle weakness
Types
  • Acute
  • Chronic
  • Fetal
Causes of Toxoplasmosis in Dogs
If you notice your dog behaving strangely, running a fever or exhibiting tremors, schedule a veterinarian appointment immediately, especially if you suspect your dog has eaten roadkill or from the litterbox.
Diagnosis of Toxoplasmosis in Dogs
Acute Toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasmosis may be suspected if your pet has consumed raw or undercooked meat, cat feces, or come in contact with areas contaminated by the same. Gastrointestinal or neurologic symptoms should be reported to a veterinarian regardless, but especially in the case of toxoplasmosis infection, as time may be critical to save a young or vulnerable pet’s life.
The veterinarian can diagnose toxoplasmosis by a variety of lab tests, involving samples of the blood, feces or spinal fluid. The symptoms of toxoplasmosis alone are not enough for a firm diagnosis, and so these laboratory tests are essential.
Chronic Toxoplasmosis
Animals infected with toxoplasmosis as adults may sometimes retain pockets of the infection, which can remain viable for months or years. Usually, this does not cause any symptoms nor does it pose a threat to the animal’s health, but can be of concern if the animal is in contact with at-risk animals.
Fetal Toxoplasmosis
Females infected with toxoplasmosis carry a significant risk of transmitting the infection to their young while still in the womb. Young are often stillborn or die shortly after birth. In humans, toxoplasmosis in pregnant women can cause severe birth defects or miscarriage of the fetus.
Treatment of Toxoplasmosis in Dogs
Acute toxoplasmosis may be treated with sulfadiazine and pyrimethamine, which are helpful in suppressing active multiplication of the parasite. Clindamycin is also highly prescribed for dogs. These drugs will not usually completely clear the infection, so the animal’s own immune system should be supported to eliminate the rest. If brought in quickly after eating infected meat, a young animal can make a full recovery from the disease.
There is no treatment currently available for chronic or fetal toxoplasmosis.
Petted logo

Worried about the cost of treating your pet's symptoms?

Pet Insurance covers the cost of many common pet health conditions. Prepare for the unexpected by getting a quote from top pet insurance providers.

Get a quote

background
Recovery of Toxoplasmosis in Dogs
Recovery from acute toxoplasmosis may involves IV fluids or other measures to help keep your pet healthy while fighting off the infection. Generally rest and avoiding contact with other animals is best.
Prevention is the best possible method for avoiding toxoplasmosis. Keeping litterboxes inaccessible to your dog, removing waste every day, and washing homegrown produce reduce the risk of you or your dog acquiring this infection. If you must feed your dog wild game or raw food, freeze any meat for at least two days before feeding. Pregnant women should take special care not to come in contact with cat feces or meat from wild animals.
Toxoplasmosis Average Cost
From 14 quotes ranging from $200 - $5,000
Average Cost
$700
arrow-up-icon
Top
Toxoplasmosis Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
dog-breed-icon
Pitbull
dog-name-icon
dog-age-icon
8 months
thumbs-up-icon

0 found this helpful

thumbs-up-icon

0 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Lethargy, Dizziness, Loss Of Appetite And Leaking Smll Amount Of Urine
What would cause these symptoms in my dog
Sept. 24, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I apologize for the delay, this venue is not set up for urgent emails. I hope that your pet is feeling better. Many different problems might look like the signs that you are describing - If they are still having problems, It would be best to have your pet seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine them, see what might be going on, and get any testing or treatment taken care of that might be needed.
Oct. 23, 2020
Was this question and answer helpful?
dog-breed-icon
Cockapoo
dog-name-icon
dog-age-icon
Ten Months
thumbs-up-icon

0 found this helpful

thumbs-up-icon

0 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Vomiting, Loss Of Appetite,
My dog has been vomiting for a week now. We have been to the vet on two separate occasions. We are sure that the dog ate cat feces from the litter box a week ago. Within a day he was projectile vomiting a clearish liquid. He has not been able to keep any food down for six days. The vet has ran a barium test, CBC blood work, and x-rays. The vet says nothing has come from these tests other than an enlarged stomach. They said everything was okay and there was no blockage. We just got home again from the vet and he just vomited again. We are unsure what to do. Any help would be appreciated.
Aug. 6, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. Is he on any medications? If all tests have come back normal, he would typically be put on an anti-emetic such as Cerenia or Metoclopramide. Without knowing more about his situation, it is difficult to comment, but those medications may be something that you can ask your veterinarian about, and if they would be appropriate. I hope that your dog is okay.
Aug. 6, 2020
Was this question and answer helpful?
dog-breed-icon
Golden Retriever
dog-name-icon
Fos
dog-age-icon
4 Years
thumbs-up-icon

10 found this helpful

thumbs-up-icon

10 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Ataxic
My 4 year old dog is diagnosed with toxoplasmosis, only 2 months after her litter. She is on clindamycin for 2 weeks, and went from not able to walk at all to three 10-minute-walks a day. 10 weeks to go according to my neurologist. In my country there is almost no experience with this disease and I am worried sick... I really need some positive input to keep hope. Is there any chance that she will survive? Can I do more than just the clindamycin?
Aug. 8, 2018

Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
10 Recommendations
It seems that she is responding quite well to the Clindamycin, and it seems to be working. If there is no long term damage from the Toxoplasma, Fos may recover quite normally. Time will tell how she will do, but you are on the right track.
Aug. 8, 2018
Thank you so much for giving me hope! One last question: in the article above is suggested to support the immune system. How to do that? What is your advice?
Aug. 14, 2018
Fos's Owner
Was this question and answer helpful?
dog-breed-icon
Great Dane
dog-name-icon
camp
dog-age-icon
5 Months
thumbs-up-icon

0 found this helpful

thumbs-up-icon

0 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Throwing Up Diarrhra
my 5 month old great dane keeps throwing up and having diarrhea he is fine when he is on antibiotics but the minute he comes off his back to throwing up and diarrhea help
May 2, 2018
0 Recommendations
Without examining Camp I cannot determine the specific cause of the diarrhoea, a faecal test should be taken to look for parasites and cultured to identify any possibly bacterial infections; generally metronidazole is prescribed in these cases which is a good all round antibiotic for diarrhoea in young dogs. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
May 3, 2018
Was this question and answer helpful?
dog-breed-icon
Pekingese
dog-name-icon
Bean
dog-age-icon
8 Years
thumbs-up-icon

1 found this helpful

thumbs-up-icon

1 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Weight Loss
Would high kidney counts be caused by eating cat poop, dog has loss of weight lethargy poor appetite was fine until couple weeks ago was told the dog was in kidney failure and was curious if anything else would mimic these symptoms
March 8, 2018

1 Recommendations
Kidney failure may be caused by many different conditions which may include infections, parasites, poisoning, congenital disorders, poisoning, age, blood clots, trauma among many different causes; high kidney values are indicative of the kidney failing or not functioning but further examination and test are required to narrow in on a diagnosis. I would look at having an ultrasound of the kidneys done to look for any structural anomalies which may be causing issues. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
March 9, 2018
What are lasting side effects to toxoplasmosis? Can arthritis be one? My rescue dog was found with Toxoplasmosis. Underwent treatment but has head ticks at times where his head will jerk and slides in the floor and has difficulty climbing stairs and getting up from lying down,
April 21, 2018
Kristin C.
Was this question and answer helpful?
dog-breed-icon
Cocker Spaniel
dog-name-icon
Lewis
dog-age-icon
11 Years
thumbs-up-icon

0 found this helpful

thumbs-up-icon

0 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Diarrhea
Lethargy
Vomiting
Death
My 11 year old cocker spaniel Lewis died suddenly yesterday (Monday) morning. He was fine Sunday afternoon, but in the late evening he was lethargic and overnight couldn't sleep. He was sitting up and breathing heavily, continually trying to lie down but not able to settle and get comfortable. By the early morning he was willing to go for a walk, as normal, but he went only a very short distance, had an unsteady, uncoordinated gait and seemed unable/unwilling to urinate and after seemingly trying to squat to defecate, he simply sat down and I carried him home. In the time before we could get him to the vet, he became even more lethargic, simply lying in one spot (though moving his upper body around - with hindsight it is clear he'd lost control of his rear legs by this point) and even after vomiting, he seemed unconcerned about moving. He brightened a bit on the car trip to the vet, but even in the exam room he deteriorated quickly, losing control of his limbs, unable to stand on his power and quickly passed away on the table. I realise I'm probably grasping at straws for an explanation to a shocking event - our vet said it was possibly a brain stem tumour or burst blood vessel to have taken him so fast - but his symptoms sound similar to those of toxoplasmosis and we've had a problem with our new(ish) next-door neighbour's cats defecating in our garden. I caught Lewis licking some of those faeces (which were fairly liquid - I'm not sure if due to rain or ill health on the cat's part) I think on Sunday morning (possibly the day before) and again a week or two back. Last week he had problems with diarrhoea, which was diagnosed as mild gastroenteritis and being treated with antibiotics, which were working well. More broadly, he's had some serious health issues in the past - an enlarged prostate leading to a perineal hernia and a weakened bladder - but he seemed generally healthy since an operation to fix the hernia last year (though was on medication to help with loss of bladder control), and as I said, seemed absolutely fine as late as Sunday afternoon. Is toxoplasmosis a possible explanation for his death, or are the onset of symptoms too rapid for it?
Toxoplasmosis Average Cost
From 14 quotes ranging from $200 - $5,000
Average Cost
$700
Wag Compare logo

Get a free pet insurance quote in less than 60 seconds!

Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.

Get a quote

background
Need pet insurance?
Need pet insurance?

Learn more in the Wag! app

Five starsFive starsFive starsFive starsFive stars

43k+ reviews

Install


© 2025 Wag Labs, Inc. All rights reserved.


© 2025 Wag Labs, Inc. All rights reserved.