What are the Facts about T. Gondii Cat Infection?

I Like Cats!

Cates are some of the smartest animals and can interpret a human's mood and feelings. Cats make outstanding companions for people. I do not have ailurophobia: the hate or fear of cats. Given this, there are concerns that only a cat (felines) has. Cats are the only animals that are the definitive host for Toxoplasmasma Gondii. Toxoplasma Gondii is a parasite that lives in all warm-blooded creatures, including us. There is no cure. Toxoplasma Gondii (T. gondii) produces Toxoplasmosis (Toxo) in humans.

Toxo Facts About Cats

Cats are in their most infectious stage the first three weeks after they have been exposed. Care should be given to NOT ever feed your cat uncooked meat, or allow them around rodents. Cats can get infected the same as humans. Never allow your cat to meet feral cats. Wild (feral-feline) cats have high infection rates. Other people’s cats may pose a potential source of Toxo infection. Spores in soil can get infect your cat. Unpasteurized milk or a healthy-looking bowl of poorly-washed organic salad is another source of possible Toxo infection. Always wash your hands after handling raw meat.

Most young cats less than 2 years of age are the most common Toxo infected. Cats previously unexposed to T gondii usually begin shedding oocysts (hardy egg-like) between 3 and 10 days after ingestion of infected tissue, and continue shedding for around 10-14 days. After the initial Toxo infection, many millions of oocysts are produced. Once a cat has developed an immune response, further shedding of oocysts is extremely rare.

Notwithstanding comments from some vets, who will tell cat owners and lovers, “…cats are OK after their initial infection in terms of not posing a risk for Toxo infection to others.” Cats, as in humans may be re-infected. Reactivation of infection in older cats may be linked to co-infection with feline leukemia virus or feline immunodeficiency virus in some cats. In addition, should cat’s immune system be compromised, the latent parasite Toxo parasite can come back with much worse symptoms or death..

Cat Symptoms of Toxo Infection

Most cats who are infected with T.gondii will show no or mild symptoms and will recover by themselves. The exception is when Toxo (T. gondii) infection becomes full-blown toxoplasmosis the vet will perform a blood test and examine the feces for eggs.

Some of the symptoms of Toxo infected cats are anorexia, weight loss, lethargy, jaundice, dyspnea (due to pneumonia), lymphadenopathy, ocular signs (iritis, chorioretinitis) and pyrexia. Other less common features include gastrointestinal signs (vomiting/diarrhea), neurological signs, myositis and abortion.

Possible Treatment for Toxo Infected Cats – See Your Vet!

Your trusted vet is your first line of defense for your cat. Possible combining pyrimethamine with clindamycin (at 1mg/kg/day) may provide more effective therapy. The Pyrimethamine therapy is often associated with myelosuppression and, to avoid this, cats may be given folic acid at 5mg/day for the duration of treatment.

My book, Eyes Wide Shut: An Enigma in a fictional setting explores the behavior changing aspects of humans on a planned specific desired modified behaviors. Who decides what are the desired behaviors Who decides who benefits? Toxo infection changes entire cultures. Most of the world is infected. Some areas are 95% Toxo infected.

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