Toxoplasmosis - Cat and Dog

Description

Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate, intracellular protozoa that is capable of infecting most mammals. Cats and other felids are the definitive host for T. gondii, and all other mammals, including dogs, are intermediate hosts.

Diagnosis

Laboratory Tests

• 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

Treatment

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

Links

• Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine Toxoplasmosis Factsheet

dogs

• Caused by Toxoplasma gondii
• Cats are definitive hosts but other species may become intermediate hosts if they ingest the oocysts
• Usually induces antibody response but remains silent clinically
• Often show clinical signs when immunosuppressed
• Involves many different tissues
• Multifocal necrotising interstitial pneumonia
• Proliferation of type II pneumocytes
• Macrophage and neutrophil infiltration