through the consumption of infected meat or tissues,

they can excrete millions of Toxoplasma oocysts in

their feces each day. This release of oocysts can continue
for up to two weeks.
And Now A Note On Your Pet’s
Oocysts in feces become infectious (reach Stage F)
after one or two days. Since most cats do not leave feces
on their fur for two days, it is unlikely that humans
General Good Health
A healthy pet is a happy companion. Your pet’s daily well-
become infected from direct contact with cats themselves. being requires regular care and close attention to any hint of
Because cats usually exhibit no signs of illness while ill health. The American Veterinary Medical Association suggests
that you consult your veterinarian if your pet shows any of the
passing oocysts, it is difficult to determine when a following signs:
particular cat’s feces may be infectious to people or
• Abnormal discharges from the nose, eyes or other body
other mammals. Most adult cats will not pass oocysts openings.
ever again after recovering from an initial exposure to • Abnormal behavior such as sudden viciousness or excessive
Toxoplasma; but again, regardless of when Toxoplasma sleepiness.
oocysts were initially passed through the cat’s feces, the • Abnormal lumps, limping or difficulty getting up or lying
oocysts themselves can remain infectious and persist down.
in the environment for months. • Loss of appetite, marked weight loss or gain or excessive
water consumption.
• Difficult, abnormal or uncontrolled waste elimination.
Can Toxoplasmosis • Excessive head shaking, scratching, and licking or biting
any part of the body.
make my cat sick? • Dandruff, loss of hair, open sores or a ragged or dull coat.
Although cats infected with Toxoplasma rarely show • Foul breath or excessive tartar deposits on teeth.
symptoms of Toxoplasmosis, there have been cases
in cats associating Toxoplasmosis with pneumonia,
liver damage, and loss of vision. Why some cats show
symptoms and other cats do not is not known. Concurrent
infection with other diseases (feline leukemia, FIV can
aggravate Toxoplasmosis in cats. Treatment can be
effective if the disease is diagnosed early. A blood test
for Toxoplasma antibodies helps in diagnosis of
Toxoplasmosis in sick cats.

To help prevent Toxoplasma

infection in cats, follow these steps: SM

• Do not allow cats to hunt rodents and birds—

keep pets indoors.
• Feed cats only cooked meat or processed food
from commercial sources. American Veterinary Medical Association
• At present there is no vaccine for Toxoplasmosis
1931 North Meacham Road, Suite 100
in cats. Efforts are, however, underway to market Schaumburg, Illinois 60173 - 4360
a vaccine to prevent Toxoplasma oocyst shedding Phone: 847-925-8070•Fax: 847 925-1329
by cats. Internet:http://www.avma.org
Revised 10/00
 Pigs, sheep, goats and poultry are sources of meat
What is Toxoplasmosis? commonly infected with Toxoplasma. Toxoplasma in Follow these easy steps to
Pronounced (Tocks-oh-plahz-moh-sis)
Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by a microscopic
meat can be killed by cooking at 152˚F (66˚C) or higher
or freezing for a day in a household freezer. Cats are the
prevent exposure to
parasite called Toxoplasma gondii. It is not a new definitive host for the production of the infectious and Toxoplasma:
disease, having first been discovered in 1908. Since its resistant Toxoplasma oocysts. The oocyst, released • Change litter daily before Toxoplasma oocysts can
discovery, Toxoplasmosis has been found in virtually from the intestine of cats in their feces, is very hardy “ripen” and become infectious (Stage F). Dispose
all warm-blooded animals including most pets,livestock and can survive freezing — even several months of of used litter safely, preferably in a sealed plastic
and people. Nearly one-third of all adults in the U.S. and extreme heat and dehydration. Moreover, oocysts can be bag. If pregnant or immune compromised, avoid
in Europe have antibodies to Toxoplasma, which means changing the litter box or use rubber gloves when
carried long distances in wind and water.
they have been exposed to the parasite. doing so.
How do people become infected with • Wash vegetables thoroughly before eating, especially
Toxoplasmosis? those grown in backyard gardens. Boil water from
There are 3 principal ways Toxoplasmosis ponds and streams when camping/hiking.
is transmitted:
1. Ingestion of infectious oocysts (pronounced o-o-
Dangers of Toxoplasmosis • Cover sand boxes when not in use to discourage
cysts) from dirt in which cats have defecated or by in people... cats from defecating in them.
ingestion of infective oocysts in food or water There are two populations at high risk for disease with • Wash hands with soap and water after working with
contaminated with feline feces. soil or after handling raw or undercooked meat.
Toxoplasma — pregnant mothers and immuno-deficient
individuals. In the United States it is estimated that
2. Consumption of undercooked or raw meat from • Cutting boards, knives, sinks and counters
animals with tissue cysts. approximately 3,000 children are born infected with should be washed well and disinfected after cutting
Toxoplasmosis every year. Although the majority of meats.
3. Directly from pregnant mother to unborn child infected infants show no symptoms of Toxoplasmosis
when the mother becomes infected with at birth, many are likely to develop signs of infection • When cooking, avoid tasting meat before it is
later in life. fully cooked.
Toxoplasma during pregnancy.
• Cook meat thoroughly until the internal temperature
Children congenitally infected with Toxoplasma may reaches 152˚F (66˚C) in a conventional oven. Also,
Figure 1: The Life Cycle of Toxoplasma suffer from loss of vision, mental retardation, loss of be aware that microwaving is not a sure way to kill
hearing, and death in severe cases. Ideally, women who Toxoplasma in meat.
The Cat is the have frequent contact with cats should be serologically
Definitive
Host Unsporulated
oocysts
tested for Toxoplasma gondii before becoming
pregnant, because if they are already seropositive, they
How do cats
Cysts ingested
passed in
feces are not at risk of acquiring a primary infection. become infected with
by cat
Ingests
cysts in
Usually, people suffering from both Acquired Immune Toxoplasma?
Tachyzoites infected
Intermediate
Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and Toxoplasmosis have Although cats can be infected by the same means as
transmitted meat
through
host
ingests
been exposed to the Toxoplasma parasite earlier in people, the most likely sources of Toxoplasma in cats
placenta oocyst life, and the HIV infection simply allowed the Toxoplasma is from eating infected mice, birds, and other small
Contamination
in feed parasite to grow unchecked. These patients develop animals.
or
of food & water water neurologic diseases and can experience convulsions,
or soil
paralysis, coma or even die from Toxoplasmosis even For indoor cats, the most likely source is uncooked
Intermediate Hosts Sporulated oocyst
Infection of fetus after treatment is administered. meat scraps. When a cat is exposed to Toxoplasma