Mary Allen
Toxoplasmosis in cats is a parasitic infection that can be fatal in weakened or very young cats. You can read here how four-legged friends can become infected with it.
Toxoplasmosis is common, but not exclusive, to cats. As the main host for the parasitic pathogen, house tigers can become infected with the disease in a number of ways.
Infection With Toxoplasmosis
The parasite Toxoplasma gondii can infect the cat via various intermediate hosts. For example, pigs, various bird species, some wild animals, and also humans can be intermediate hosts for the toxoplasmosis pathogen. The parasites become the causative agent of the infection, for example, if they are excreted by the host with the feces and are out in the air for a few days without him. For example, cats can be transmitted by eating dead birds, raw pork, or by coming into contact with animal feces.
When is the Disease Dangerous?
If the cat has been infected with toxoplasmosis, there are usually no symptoms at all, or they are very weak and subside after a short time. Possible symptoms are, for example, diarrhea, coughing, or swollen lymph nodes. After the initial illness, cats usually become immune to the pathogen. It can be more dangerous for house tigers with a very weak immune system. They can develop more severe symptoms and the disease can become chronic.
Unfortunately, kittens infected through their mothers can be fatal. And humans can also become infected with toxoplasmosis. While they are often asymptomatic as well, it can be serious for people with weak immune systems and expectant mothers.