Difference between revisions of "Toxocara cati"

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{{Taxobox
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|name              = Toxocara cati
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{| cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0" border="1"
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|kingdom            =  
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| Also known as:
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|phylum            =  
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| '''Toxocara mystax
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|class              = [[Nematodes|Nematoda]]
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|-
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|sub-class          =
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|}
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|order              =
 
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|super-family      = [[Ascaridoidea]]
 
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|family            =
 
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|sub-family        =
 
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|genus              =
 
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|species            =
 
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}}
 
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Also known as: '''''Toxocara mystax'''''
 
  
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==Introduction==
 
 
[[Image:Toxocara cati egg.jpg|200px|thumb|right|''Toxocara cati egg'' <br> Joel Mills 2006, Wikimedia Commons]]
 
[[Image:Toxocara cati egg.jpg|200px|thumb|right|''Toxocara cati egg'' <br> Joel Mills 2006, Wikimedia Commons]]
  
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''Toxocara cati'' is a [[Nematodes|nematode]] of the superfamily ''[[Ascaridoidea]]''. ''T. cati'' is found '''worldwide''', and can cause a wide range of gastrointestinal problems in infected hosts.
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''Toxocara cati'' is a nematode of the superfamily ''Ascaridoidea''. ''T. cati'' is found worldwide, and can cause a wide range of gastrointestinal problems in infected hosts.
  
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There is a '''zoonotic risk''' with ingestion of larvated eggs, which can produce the conditions of '''visceral larval migrans''' and '''ocular larval migrans''' in humans. However ''[[Toxocara canis|T. canis]]'' is the more common culprit.
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===Scientific Classification===
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{| cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0" border="1" 
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| Class
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| Nematoda
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|-
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| Superfamily
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| Ascaridoidea
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|}
  
 
==Hosts==
 
==Hosts==
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Cat
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Cat.
  
 
==Identification==
 
==Identification==
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''T. catis'' is a large white worm. The female is capable of growing up to 10cm in length. The male, similar to ''[[Toxocara canis]]'', has a finger-like process on the tip of the tail.
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''T. catis'' is a large white worm. The female is capable of growing up to 10cm in length. The male, similar to ''[[Toxocara canis]]'', has a finger-like process on the tip of the tail.
  
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The '''eggs''' are approximately 70μm, have no distinct colour, but have a '''thick, pitted outer shell'''.
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The eggs have no distinct colour, but have a thick outer shell.
  
 
==Life Cycle==
 
==Life Cycle==
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The adult worms live in the '''small intestine''' and the females produce eggs that are passed in the faeces of the cat.
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Infection occurs by ingestion of the L2 in the egg, or after ingestion of a paratenic host, or via transmammary infection.
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Infection occurs by '''ingestion of the L2 in the egg''', or after '''ingestion of a paratenic host''', or via '''transmammary route'''.
 
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After direct ingestion of the larvae, they migrate through the liver, lungs and trachea, and then go back to the small intestine, where they transform into L3.  
 
  
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Ingestion of a paratenic host like a mouse causes the larvae to be released by digestion, and they then enter the small intestine of the cat, and will moult into L3.
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After direct ingestion of the larvae, they migrate through the liver, lungs and trachea, and then go back into the stomach, where they transform into L3.  Ingestion of a paratenic host e.g. a mouse causes the larvae to be released by digestion, and they then enter the stomach of the cat, and will moult into L3.
  
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Transmammary infection is also very important, and commonly seen throughout lactation.  However, unlike ''[[Toxocara canis|T. canis]]'', '''prenatal infection does not occur'''.
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Transmammary infection is also very important, and commonly seen throughout lactation.  However, unlike ''T. canis'', prenatal infection does not occur.
  
 
The prepatent period of ''T. catis'' is 8 weeks.
 
The prepatent period of ''T. catis'' is 8 weeks.
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==Clinical Signs==
 
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Infected kittens will present with '''stunted growth''' and a '''loss of condition'''. Their coat may be dull and they may appear 'pot-bellied'.
 
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Worms may be seen in '''vomitus or in the faeces'''.
 
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'''Migrating larvae''' can cause damage to internal organs leading to [[:Category:Pneumonia|pneumonia]] and coughing, ascites, [[Hepatic Lipidosis|fatty liver]].
 
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==Diagnosis==
 
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Infection is diagnosed by finding eggs in the faeces of the animal, using '''faecal flotation''' methods.
 
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''Toxocara leonida'' eggs may confuse the diagnosis, but they are smooth-shelled and more oval in shape.
 
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==Treatment and Control==
 
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Treatment of gastrointestinal infections with ''Toxocara cati'' is relatively straightforward. Anthelmintics such as '''febantel, pyrantel, selamectin, fenbendazole and milbemycin''' can be used.
 
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It may be possible to prevent transmammary transmission of the larvae by using targeted administrations of fenbendazole just before delivery of the kittens, but no trials have been performed yet.
 
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Kittens should be presumed to be '''infected at birth''', and should be treated accordingly.
 
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The main form of control is to '''prevent cats from obtaining infections''' by '''preventing access to paratenic hosts''' such as mice and other rodents and preventing access to eggs by '''promptly identifying and treating patent infections'''.
 
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People, particularly children, should adhere to '''strict hygiene rules''' when in areas that may have been contaminated by infected animals.
 
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{{Learning
 
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|flashcards = [[Feline Medicine Q&A 09]]
 
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|literature search = [http://www.cabdirect.org/search.html?q=title:(%22Toxocara+cati%22)+OR+title:(%22Toxocara+mystax%22) ''Toxocara cati'' publications]
 
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|Vetstream = [https://www.vetstream.com/canis/search?s=nematode Nematodes]
 
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}}
 
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==References==
 
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Bowman, D. (2002) '''Feline Clinical Parasitology''' ''Wiley-Blackwell''
 
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Foreyt, W. (2001) '''Veterinary parasitology reference manual''' ''Wiley-Blackwell''
 
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Merck and Co (2008) '''Merck Veterinary Manual''' ''Merial''
 
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{{review}}
 
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{{OpenPages}}
 
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[[Category:Ascaridoidea]][[Category:Cat Nematodes]]
 
[[Category:Ascaridoidea]][[Category:Cat Nematodes]]
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[[Category:Expert_Review - Small Animal]]
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[[Category:To_Do_-_Max]]
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[[Category:Intestinal Diseases - Cat]]
 
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[[Category:Zoonoses]]
 

Revision as of 19:27, 26 July 2010


 This article is still under construction.


Also known as: Toxocara mystax
Toxocara cati egg
Joel Mills 2006, Wikimedia Commons

Toxocara cati is a nematode of the superfamily Ascaridoidea. T. cati is found worldwide, and can cause a wide range of gastrointestinal problems in infected hosts.

Scientific Classification

Class Nematoda
Superfamily Ascaridoidea

Hosts

Cat.

Identification

T. catis is a large white worm. The female is capable of growing up to 10cm in length. The male, similar to Toxocara canis, has a finger-like process on the tip of the tail.

The eggs have no distinct colour, but have a thick outer shell.

Life Cycle

Infection occurs by ingestion of the L2 in the egg, or after ingestion of a paratenic host, or via transmammary infection.

After direct ingestion of the larvae, they migrate through the liver, lungs and trachea, and then go back into the stomach, where they transform into L3. Ingestion of a paratenic host e.g. a mouse causes the larvae to be released by digestion, and they then enter the stomach of the cat, and will moult into L3.

Transmammary infection is also very important, and commonly seen throughout lactation. However, unlike T. canis, prenatal infection does not occur.

The prepatent period of T. catis is 8 weeks.

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