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Toxoplasmosis - Cat and Dog (view source)
Revision as of 21:25, 12 August 2010
, 21:25, 12 August 2010→Clinical Signs
In cats, disease is most severe in transplacentally infected kittens, which may be stillborn or die before weaning. Those that survive are anorexic and lethargic, with a pyrexia that does not respond to antibiotics. The lungs, liver or CNS may be necrosed, leading to signs such as dyspnoea, respiratory noise, icterus, ascites and neurological signs. Cats infected post-natally most commonly display gastrointestinal and/or respiratory signs. Again, animals may be anorexic and lethargic, with an antibiotic non-responsive fever. Vomiting, diarrhoea, icterus or abdominal effusion may be apparent, and the cat may lose weight. Ocular signs such as uveitis, iritis and detachment of the retina are also common. Neurologic signs are seen in less than 10% of patients <sup>3</sup> and may present as circling, torticollis, anisocoria, seizures, blindness or inco-ordination. Signs progress rapidly in patients suffering acute disease, in whom respiratory and/or CNS involvement is common. Chronic infections tend to follow a slower course.
In cats, disease is most severe in transplacentally infected kittens, which may be stillborn or die before weaning. Those that survive are anorexic and lethargic, with a pyrexia that does not respond to antibiotics. The lungs, liver or CNS may be necrosed, leading to signs such as dyspnoea, respiratory noise, icterus, ascites and neurological signs. Cats infected post-natally most commonly display gastrointestinal and/or respiratory signs. Again, animals may be anorexic and lethargic, with an antibiotic non-responsive fever. Vomiting, diarrhoea, icterus or abdominal effusion may be apparent, and the cat may lose weight. Ocular signs such as uveitis, iritis and detachment of the retina are also common. Neurologic signs are seen in less than 10% of patients <sup>3</sup> and may present as circling, torticollis, anisocoria, seizures, blindness or inco-ordination. Signs progress rapidly in patients suffering acute disease, in whom respiratory and/or CNS involvement is common. Chronic infections tend to follow a slower course.
In young dogs, ''Toxoplasma gondii'' infection is usually generalised, causing fever, weight loss and anorexia. Dyspnoea, diarrhoea and vomiting may also be seen. Older animals more commonly experience localised infections which are primarily associated with the neural and muscular systems. When neurological signs are seen, they usually reflect diffuse inflammation of the CNS. For example, dogs might suffer seizures, ataxia, paresis or muscle weakness. Although cardiac involvement occurs, this is not normally clinically significant. Ocular changes are rare, but are similar to those described in cats.
===Laboratory Tests===
===Laboratory Tests===