How many times can a cat be infected with toxoplasma?
"Cats excrete the pathogen in their faeces for a number of weeks after contracting the disease, generally by eating an infected rodent. Even then, cat faeces are not generally contagious for the first day or two after excretion, after which the cyst 'ripens' and becomes potentially pathogenic[citation needed]. Studies have shown that only about 2% of cats are shedding oocysts at any one time[citation needed], and that oocyst shedding does not recur even after repeated exposure to the parasite[citation needed]. Although the pathogen has been detected on the fur of cats, it has not been found in an infectious form, and direct infection from handling cats is generally believed to be very rare." Wikapedia. I dont think it can reoccur according to this.
Are cat parasites contagious? If my cat had parasites, would I have them too?
Cat fleas can’t live long on nothing but human blood, but that doesn’t stop them biting humans. So if your cat has fleas, you will have flea bites. Some kinds of roundworms can live in both species, cats and humans.If you think your cat has one of these or any other parasites, you need to take the cat to the vet to be assessed. The vet will treat the cat in the short term and suggest preventive measures for the long term. This will protect both your cat and yourself.
How long is toxoplasmosis contagious in an infected cat?
I am 13 weeks pregnant, and was in contact with cat feces earlier today while babysitting (the baby had poop on her hand). These people have 3 cats, 2 indoor and 1 outdoor. It was most likely one indoor cat that pooped in the bathroom. I am EXTREMELY worried because the cat used to be an outdoor cat years ago, but I have heard that toxoplasmosis is only contagious for 6 weeks. Is there any way this cat could have given me the infection or is the parasite completely out of her system. Thank you in advance!
Toxoplasmosis in my cat?
Okay so my cat recently had an awful seizure and now my vet has done all these tests to figure out what is wrong with her. The vet said my cat had Toxoplasmosis and prescribed antirobe aquadrops antibotics for her for a month. She said that my cat can't give it to other cats as long as I change the litter once a day? I am a little worried because I have another cat and I don't want him to catch it. The vet said he probably even had it and never showed signs of symptoms. My cats were feral when I adopted them when they were about three weeks old, and the vet thinks they probably got it at birth (they are a little over a year now). I am going to get my other cat tested to see if he needs the antibiotics too. My major question is, ever since my cat has been on the antibiotics, she has been throwing up and seems miserable. I am afraid that she might be having a bad reaction to the drugs? Is there anything I can do that will make her less sick? I try to give it to her right after she eats, so that her stomach won't get so upset, but this doesn't seem to help much. Also, when I give it to her, I often spill a little on her shoulder or leg, and then my other cat will sometimes lick it up or lick it off her. Will these antibiotics hurt him? Thanks!
Toxoplasmosis?
Have you had cats before? I ask this because usually if you've had 'em before, you're immune to the disease anyway. If not, or not sure, get tested by your doctor. Thirdly, get someone to do the litterbox for you if you can. You can't get it by breathing in the fumes that I know of.. it's transferred by saliva or scratches from an infected cat. But, beware, it's contagious, and can be fatal to your baby and almost always very damaging if not fatal to the baby, even now at 8 months! Hope this helps!
Do the psychiatric adverse effects of toxoplasmosis infection last after the infection ended?
Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic infection, not a virus. Antiviral drugs won't help.Here is an informative link.ToxoplasmosisTo answer your specific question, based on the Wikipedia background and a review of various medical journal articles using the search term cerebral toxoplasmosis, it appears that the mental changes are based in part on cysts that form in the brain. That suggests that once the mental status changes manifest they are permanent.
In what ways can indoor cats get toxoplasmosis?
Indoor cats are very unlikly to get T.gondii. Although it can be acquired through ingestion of Intermediate hosts such as rodents or through poorly sourced meat. If you have a multiple cat household where some cats go outside then it is possible for one cat to become infested and affect the other indoor cats through faecal contamination.Treatment is available for toxoplasmosis, although as it shows few clinical signs in felines it is rarely used. The only real risk is if infection occurs during pregnancy as this will cause abortion. Pregnancy post infection will not have harmful effects on the foetus however.It is important to know that T.gondii is zoonotic and these effects will also occur in humans. However humans act as a paratenic host so if you are infected you are not able to pass the infestation onto others….unless your cat eats you.
Is there any cure for toxoplasmosis in cats or humans?
There’s a treatment when you show symptoms, but not a cure. Toxoplama gondii is a protozoan parasite, not a bacterium. It has a weird life cycle, which means it may remain dormant in human and animal cells for decades.The good thing is, most people won’t ever need a treatment for it, only a few vulnerable groups. Most infected people and cats are able to fight the infection successfully, so, even though the parasite isn’t completely wiped out from their bodies, at least it becomes inactive. Toxoplasma gondii generally causes mild symptoms similar to influenza in people. Most infected cats are contagious for only a couple of weeks in their lifetime (they spread the oocysts with their feces).It causes abortion in cattle, though.CDC - Toxoplasmosis - Treatment
What stray cat diseases are contagious?
Most cat diseases cannot be transmitted to humans. Stray cats can carry a variety of diseases that are harmful to other cats, but nothing that you have to worry about contracting by petting a cat. The only disease to really worry about with stray cats is rabies, which is transmitted through the saliva, usually by a bite. The prevalence of rabies varies from place to place. Where I live it is very rare, in other areas it may be more common. Don't pet a stray cat that seems scared or aggressive and go to the doctor if you get bitten by a cat (even if it isn't rabid you'd probably need antibiotics to prevent a local infection by bacteria) and you should be fine. Other diseases that a person could get from a cat (stray or owned) are cat scratch fever and toxoplasmosis. The first is usually mild and the second usually only a threat to pregnant women, since it can hurt the unborn baby. Cat scratch fever is transmitted through scratches or bites, and toxoplasmosis from contact with cat feces. Neither can be contracted just from petting a cat.
How much are the chances of an indoor cat contracting toxoplasmosis if it was out for three weeks? What are the safety precautions?
Indoor and outdoor cats all get toxoplasmosis. There isn’t enough data to figure out how the three week jaunt affected things.A study in Virginia in the United States found an overall infection rate of 27% in cats.[1] Adult cats are generally just carriers. They virtually never get sick from it.Likewise, most humans don’t get sick from toxoplasmosis. The big exception is pregnant women. The disease is extremely dangerous to the fetus.If at all possible, pregnant women should avoid cleaning litter boxes. If avoiding them is completely impossible, clean them wearing long rubber gloves and a dust mask. This goes for women trying to get pregnant, too.I know that’s a hassle. I know you’re already exhausted.However, this stuff can kill Baby. It’s known for causing miscarriage, stillbirth, and if the baby survives, damage to the brain, eyes, and other organs.That’s a hefty list for a disease that usually goes unnoticed. This number varies from country to country, but the US number is 22% of humans have toxoplasmosis already.[2] Don’t worry, if you already had it before, it won’t hurt Baby.In short, about 1/4 of cats have toxoplasmosis. The only precaution to take is to keep pregnant women away from litter boxes.Footnotes[1] High prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii oocyst shedding in stray and pet cats (Felis catus) in Virginia, United States[2] High prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii oocyst shedding in stray and pet cats (Felis catus) in Virginia, United States