Toxoplasmosis - Cat and Dog

• Cat
  • In the intestinal phase of infection only the superficial cells at the tips of the villi are affected
  • Little significant pathogenicity

Epidemiology

• Serology
  • Sabin-Feldman Dye test (old method)
  • ELISA
  • Mouse inoculation for confirmation
  • 30-80% test seropositive
  • Each cat sheds oocysts for 1-2 weeks of its life

Prevention

• Cat
  • Impossible if cat is allowed outdoors due to hunting
  • If kept indoors, only canned food should be fed and vermin controlled
  • ELISA to check if seropositive