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Toxoplasmosis Toxoplasmosis What is toxoplasmosis and Can I get toxoplasmosis? How can I protect my animal what causes it? Yes. People can get toxoplasmosis from toxoplasmosis? Toxoplasmosis (tox-ooh-plas- by ingesting (oral) Toxoplasma gondii Keep cats indoors to prevent moe-sis) is a disease caused by a from fecally contaminated (unwashed them from becoming infected microscopic protozoal parasite called raw) vegetables or under cooked or from shedding oocysts into Toxoplasma gondii (tox-ooh-plas- meat. It can also be spread by contact the environment. They should be ma gon-dee-eye). The organism has with feces from an infected cat. especially kept out of livestock areas. a complex life cycle. Toxoplasmosis Disease is rare in people who are Feed animals commercially prepared occurs worldwide. healthy. The greatest risk is to those foods. Raw or under cooked meats with weakened immune systems (e..g., should not be fed. Do not allow cat to What animals get persons with HIV/AIDS or pregnant hunt or eat wild rodents or birds. toxoplasmosis? women). How can I protect myself Many animal species can get Symptoms begin with mild, flu-like from toxoplasmosis? toxoplasmosis. Cats are required for signs (fever, body aches, headache, the life cycle of the organism. Infection sore throat). Severe disease can occur The risk of infection can be reduced is most common in cats, sheep, goats, if the protozoan invades the muscles, by proper food preparation. Meats and swine. Cattle seem to relatively nervous system, heart, lungs or eye. should be thoroughly cooked. Good resistant. Dogs can also be infected. The organism can cause abortion or hygiene is also important. Wash fruits birth defects in pregnant women. It and vegetables before eating them. How can my animal get Avoid cross contamination of foods toxoplasmosis? can cause brain infection and death in persons with AIDS. and utensils in the kitchen. Wash items Toxoplasma gondii oocysts (eggs) that contact meat or meat juices in are shed in the feces of infected cats. Who should I contact, if I hot, soapy water. Wear gloves while These eggs are then incidentally suspect toxoplasmosis? gardening. Change the litter box ingested (oral) by other animals, In Animals – daily. Always wash your hands after either through grazing or eating Contact your veterinarian. contact with any animal. Pregnant smaller mammals (e.g., when cats In Humans – women and immunocompromised hunt small rodents). The protozoa can Contact your physician. individuals should avoid cleaning cat also be transmitted during pregnancy litter if possible. thereby infecting the unborn fetus. For More Information How does toxoplasmosis CFSPH Technical Fact Sheet. Toxoplasmosis affect my animal? at http://www.cfsph.iastate.edu/ Most animals that have DiseaseInfo/default.htm toxoplasmosis show no signs of CDC website Toxoplasmosis at http://www. illness. Disease is most often seen and cdc.gov/parasites/toxoplasmosis/ the most severe in young animals, such as puppies or kittens. In adult Toxoplasmosis animals, particularly sheep, the most is a protozoan commonly noted sign is abortion. shed in cat feces that can Cats may have signs of pneumonia be spread to humans by a or damage to the nervous system or variety of ways. eyes. Affected dogs may show signs Photos (counterclockwise) a cat, Toxoplasma of encephalitis, such as seizures, head oocysts, cyst, and potential ingestion sources raw tilt, tremors, or paralysis. or under-cooked meat or unwashed vegetables. © 2013.
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