How to Keep Your Cat from Getting Toxoplasmosis

Most cat owners have heard of toxoplasmosis but just assume their cats won't come down with it. In fact, the disease is caused by one of the most common parasites in the world. Anyone who owns a cat has good reason to want to keep the cat from getting it: humans can catch it from cats.

What is Toxoplasmosis?

Caused by a single-cell parasite known as Toxoplasma gondii, toxoplasmosis is a highly infectious disease that strikes cats and dogs, according to PetPlace.com. It's an example of an illness that can be transmitted from animals to human beings, called a zoonotic disease.

The Mayo Clinic indicates that in humans, toxoplasmosis can produce flulike symptoms. While the disease is unlikely to produce complications in most healthy individuals, those who are immunosuppressed can develop life-threatening conditions like encephalitis. For those suffering from AIDS, toxoplasmosis can be fatal. Doctors also advise pregnant women to steer clear of cat litter boxes or feces.

According to the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, the majority of cats who carry toxoplasmosis show no symptoms. Among those who are symptomatic, the most common signs of the illness are fever, lethargy and loss of appetite. Other symptoms vary, depending on where the parasite locates in the cat's body. The disease might affect the cat's respiratory system, eyes and nervous system and can result in some bizarre symptoms like dramatic personality changes.

While toxoplasmosis is treatable in both cats and humans, it's far easier for a cat owner to keep the pet from getting the disease than treating it.

How to Prevent Toxoplasmosis in Cats

The key to keeping a cat from catching the illness is restricting the environment to which the pet has access. Owners can take a number of steps to do this:

Living indoors. Cats that live much of the time outdoors are at greatest risk for developing toxoplasmosis. They love to chase - and sometimes eat - rodents, which are often infected. In addition, when an infected animal is shedding toxoplasmosis spores, the parasites imbed themselves in the soil, where they can live for years. Even an indoor/outdoor cat who digs in the yard in search of a handy latrine can easily encounter these spores. The safest place for a pet cat is living inside the home all the time.

Avoid handling strays and kittens. Kittens are more susceptible to toxoplasmosis than adult cats are. While every cat deserves a home, when considering helping a stray or feral cat, it's best to find a rescuer trained in handling them. The cat or kitten might look perfectly healthy yet could be infected but asymptomatic. When a cat is tested for this infectious disease, it might take a month for the results to arrive.

Choose food wisely. It's best to feed a cat dry or canned cat food and make sure the animal has absolutely no access to raw meat. Even undercooked meat can contain the parasite that causes toxoplasmosis. Cats should never be permitted to eat entrails or chew bones. It's also important to make sure the lids of any trash containers in the home are secure.

Keep litter boxes clean. Pregnant women and individuals who are immunosuppressed should ask another adult to clean a cat's litter box. Whoever cleans the box should be sure to wear gloves. One of the oddities of toxoplasmosis is that neither chemical disinfectants nor bleach can kill the parasites. Doing so requires the use of boiling water. After dumping the used litter, the individual cleaning the box should disinfect it with scalding water. Ideally, a litter box should be emptied every day and disinfected once a week. After placing clean litter in the box, the individual doing the cleaning should make sure to remove the gloves and wash his or her hands with soap and water.

In addition to following these steps, an owner can further protect a cat from contracting toxoplasmosis by making sure the cat's general health is good. This includes maintaining routine immunizations, making sure the cat has regular exams, and utilizing the diet recommended by the vet.

Sources:

http://www.petplace.com/cats/toxoplasmosis-in-cats/page1.aspx

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/toxoplasmosis/DS00510

http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/brochures/toxo.html