The Impact of Parasitic Toxoplasmosis on Pets and Owners

about 1 month ago

I was randomly thinking about parasites lately and how their destructive nature can affect so many things. Parasites basically depends on their host for survival, anywhere you find a parasite, just know it's aim is to depend on the host until it is done with it. Our pets unfortunately can be affected by parasites for various reasons, a good example of such parasite is Toxoplasma.

The parasite Toxoplasma gondii (T.gondii) causes an infectious illness called toxoplasmosis, this parasite infects most warm-blooded animals including humans. Although, the only known definitive host for T.gondii are domestic cats and their relatives.

The eggs of T.gondi, called the oocysts are shed through the feces of an infected cat when the eggs are ingested orally by other animals either through grazing or eating other smaller mammals. An unborn fetus can also get infected when transmitted during pregnancy.

Once this parasite gets into the body of a host, they may become dormant, remaining stagnant for the rest of an animal's life without causing any serious effects, but this is different with cats as the parasite immediately begins to reproduce in the intestine of the animal generating more oocysts that are shed in the feces of the cat for about 1-3 weeks, then the cycle begins again.

From what I just described, we can tell that not every case of infection results in disease. Most times, there is even no sign or symptom shown at all, but there are times when life-threatening conditions also comes up.

Cats will most likely become victim to the parasite when they consume an infected prey with Toxoplasma cysts in their tissues, this is applicable for other prey-eating animals. Humans and other animals can get it when they eat raw or undercooked meat that has been infected. Consuming unpasteurized milk, milk products from an infected animal, unwashed vegetables or fruits, raw or raw oysters.

Gardening and other activities that involves direct contact with a water body or soil that has been contaminated with an infected cat feces can cause infection too, children stand a chance of being infected when they play in sandboxes that a previously infected cat must have used as a litter box.

If toxoplasmosis occurs during pregnancy or shortly before pregnancy, the parasite can be transmitted to the fetus to the placenta, increasing the chances of stillbirth, miscarriage, or heart issues for future children. Being born with toxoplasmosis comes with complications, learning differences, developmental delays, blindness, and vision problems.

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Toxoplasmosis in a person with a compromised immune system is dangerous, it can cause a sudden sickness to reoccur, or even worse cause organ damage which will create a situation of eventual death. The symptoms of toxoplasmosis in humans is dependent on how active the parasite is, if it is present at birth or is just coming up as one goes through life.

Ocular toxoplasmosis affects the eye, either one or both, causing symptoms like; blindness, eye pain, and blurred vision. Acute toxoplasmosis may create flu-like symptoms like fatigue, fever, muscle pain, sore throat, painless swollen lymph nodes, and enlarged liver and spleen.

Congenital toxoplasmosis which is present at birth, gives symptoms like rashes, yellowish eyes and skin, vision loss, calcium deposit in the brain, and seizures.

There is no available vaccine that can protect against T.gondii, but there are precautionary acts that can help protect against exposure and infection. Pet owners must be aware they stand a chance of being infected with undercooked meat than they can with an infected cat. The practice of simple basic hygiene in this case like other cases cannot be swept under the rug and needs to be taken seriously. Protecting ourselves as well as our pets, remains our responsibility.