Protozoonoses are diseases caused by protozoa, single-celled organisms that can only be detected under a microscope. Infection with protozoa usually occurs after ingestion of cysts, which, upon entering the intestine, under favorable conditions, transform there into mature forms that cause disease.
3.1. Toxoplasmosis
Deliver exact diagnosis Testing for toxoplasmosis is only possible through laboratory testing of stool.
Symptoms: redness of the cat's eyes, emaciation, abortion, causeless diarrhea. In the acute form of the disease, kittens experience fever, cough, shortness of breath, loss of appetite, drowsiness, swollen lymph nodes, diarrhea, jaundice and central nervous system disorder. If your cat has these symptoms, you should immediately consult a veterinarian.
Treatment A cat suffering from toxoplasmosis can only be treated by a veterinarian. Therapy using chemical coccide, sulfonamides, as well as immunofan in combination with gamavit and clindamycin is effective (orally for 2 weeks at a total daily dose of 25-50 mg per 1 kg of body weight).
3.2. Coccidiosis
3.3. Leishmaniasis
Symptoms: in the acute form, fever, anemia quickly develops, appetite disappears, weakness increases, the mucous membranes of the eyes, eyelids, and nose become inflamed and then ulcerated, skin lesions, and renal failure are observed. In the chronic form, dryness and skin lesions are more common.
Treatment: meglumine antimoniate (glucantim), allopurinol, fungizone, pentamidine, antimony preparations, gamavit.
3.4. Blastocystosis
Diseases caused by pathogenic protozoa are very common in nature. Fortunately, this is more true for countries with warmer and milder climates, but we also have our “microscopic villains.” These are the ones that cause isosporosis in cats.
The causative agents can be two types of protozoa – Isospora rivolta/I.felis. These are the smallest single-celled organisms that live in the intestines of cats, other domestic and wild animals, as well as humans (there are specific species for each species). In most cases, isosporosis develops in kittens younger than six months of age, as well as in old and weakened animals. Often this disease is secondary, developing against the background of some other pathological processes, leading to a significant decrease in the immunity of animals.
Adult cats are resistant to isosporosis, but most often we are not talking about full immunity, but about carriage. In this case, Isospora rivolta/I.felis become a kind of “conditionally pathogenic” intestinal microflora, which can manifest itself only in cases of severe immune disorders (including age-related ones associated with the aging of the body). Such carriers act as a kind of reservoir host, since isospore cysts enter the external environment with the animal’s feces, infecting still healthy cats.
Transmission routes
It must be emphasized that protozoa cannot overcome the placental barrier, and indeed, they live exclusively in the intestines. Therefore, even a cat whose intestines are full of pathogens gives birth to healthy kittens (of course, if the mother does not show clinical signs).
Attention! Infection occurs very quickly: the cat constantly licks itself, keeping its fur clean, and the cysts are spread over the entire surface of the body, including landing on the animal’s nipples. When kittens feed, infection occurs. In young animals the course of the disease is very severe. Often young animals (especially in animal shelters) die from severe dehydration, which in some cases develops within a couple of hours.
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Thus, sharing a room with other infected animals is the most common cause of this infection. But veterinarians warn that some varieties of isospores can be transmitted when cats eat infected mice and other “game.” But still, such cases are much less common than usual alimentary transmission. Let us emphasize once again that the disease is especially dangerous for kittens, since their immune system has not yet fully formed, and therefore cannot resist the causative agent of the disease.
Simply put, they live and multiply in epithelial cells, as a result of which the latter begin to die and collapse en masse. Since the mucous membrane in the gastrointestinal tract plays the role of not only a “sponge” that absorbs nutrients, but also a protective shell, the internal structures of the intestine quickly become inflamed. Of course, the actual digestive function of the organ is impaired.
Onset of the disease, symptoms
About 13 days pass from the moment of infection to the appearance of the first clinical signs. This is why kittens initially look completely healthy. Because of this, many breeders believe that the culprit of isosporosis is another animal or person who introduced the infection. Of course, this also happens, but if your pet’s kittens suddenly become ill with isosporosis, you should take their mother to the clinic and check the animal’s feces for the presence of cysts of the pathogen.
The symptoms of isosporosis in cats are very monotonous: the disease manifests itself with profuse diarrhea, and the stool looks watery and somewhat mucous. The mucus is understandable: it is the release of millions of dead intestinal epithelial cells. Bloody diarrhea and vomiting indicate the progression of the pathology. But you should not worry about diarrhea, but about severe diarrhea. Its consequences are extremely serious. In severe cases, it is fraught with severe neurological seizures.
Important! Note that small kittens with coccidiosis can rarely survive longer than two days, so it is better not to delay contacting a veterinary clinic. Weak and old cats can also die. In any case, constant diarrhea will definitely not improve the health of their body.
Diagnosis and treatment
In principle, at the sight of two-week-old kittens diarrhea, a presumptive diagnosis can be made with a high degree of certainty, but in any case, a stool test must be performed. Cysts are quite specific in appearance, so microscopic examination is usually sufficient to make a definitive diagnosis.
Source of isosporosis In the wild, cats are rodents, although many vertebrates can be intermediate hosts. By eating raw meat from infected animals, cats and dogs can also become infected with isosporosis. The active period of oocyst excretion in feces after primary infection is on average 5-10 days. If reinfection has occurred (the cat has eaten its own oocysts again), then the isospores are distributed throughout the organs and tissues of the animal, chronic, often asymptomatic carrier.
Severity of the disease depends on the amount of isospores that enter the animal’s body. Sometimes owners may not even realize that their pet is sick. But in stressful situations for the body, isosporosis begins to progress and manifest itself with clinical signs such as frequent defecation of unformed feces with a large amount of mucus and streaks of blood, loss of appetite, anorexia. Since the favorite place of isospores in the body of dogs and cats is the intestinal epithelium, other symptoms of enterocolitis, complicated by the proliferation of secondary bacterial microflora.
Diagnosis of cystoisosporosis
Diagnosis of cystoisosporosis is carried out in a veterinary laboratory after contacting a veterinarian! For the study, fresh feces are taken, collected in the cleanest possible conditions and in a special container, which can be purchased in human pharmacies. If a cat uses a litter box, the owners must clean the biomaterial from the litter, otherwise the laboratory may refuse to conduct the test. After the course of treatment, a stool test is also taken (sometimes several samples are required - up to 3 negative results) to confirm the effectiveness of the prescribed course.
Treatment of cystoisosporosis
Treatment cystoisosporosis, taking into account the sensitivity of the pathogen to antibacterial drugs of the sulfonamide and nitrofuran series, as well as eimeriostatics, must be comprehensive and long-lasting. In addition to the above drugs, the combined use of gastroprotectors to protect the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract, broad-spectrum antibiotics and metronidazole to suppress secondary bacterial microflora, antispasmodic and adsorbent drugs as symptomatic therapy and probiotic drugs to normalize intestinal microflora is recommended. For anorexia and dehydration, subcutaneous or intravenous infusions of solutions and vitamins are recommended.
It is advisable to carry outdisinfection of placesmaintenance and care items using alkaline solutions. In areas where cases of isosporosis have been reported, exclude free walking of dogs and cats and the possibility of them eating rodents or plants on which oocysts of the pathogen may remain.If your animal shows signs of cystoisosporosis, we are always happy to see you at the VetState veterinary clinic 7 days a week, 365 days a year from 10.00 to 21.00
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Based on materials from www.merckmanuals.com
Entamoeba histolytica lives inside the colon, and sometimes there may be no noticeable symptoms. In other cases, the amoeba can invade the intestinal lining and cause inflammation, damage and bleeding. Severe diarrhea may develop in a short time. The disease can be fatal for the cat, become chronic, or stop suddenly. With a prolonged course of the disease, cats may lose weight, lose their appetite, and may experience intense bowel movements or diarrhea. Some of these signs may be constant or recur periodically.
| Class | View | How it infects | Symptoms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intestinal flukes | Nanophyetus salmincola - found in the northwestern United States, southwestern Canada, and other North Pacific countries | Through ingested intermediate hosts (raw or poorly processed salmon or similar fish) | In severe cases - enteritis. Infection is often aggravated by rickettsia bacteria |
| Alaria algae - North America, Europe, Russia, Australia and Japan | Through eaten hosts (frogs, reptiles, rodents) | In severe cases - bleeding in the lungs (due to damage during migration of larvae), enteritis (adult alaria) | |
| Flukes in the liver | Opisthorchis; cases were recorded in Eastern Europe, countries of the former USSR, and in some regions of Asia | Through the fish eaten | With prolonged infection - thickening and fibrosis of the walls of the bile and/or pancreatic ducts. Fluid may accumulate in the abdomen |
| Amphimerus pseudofelineus; cases have been reported in the southern and midwestern United States | Rare cases; Through infected fish | Nausea, poor appetite, lethargy, weight loss | |
| Platynosomum concinnum; cases have been reported in the southeastern United States, Puerto Rico and other Caribbean islands, South America, Malaysia, Hawaii and other Pacific islands, and some areas of Africa | Through eaten lizards and toads | In severe cases, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea and jaundice leading to death | |
| Trematodes in the pancreas milk gland |
Eurytrema procyonis; cases were recorded in North America | Rare cases; Through infected snails or possibly insects | Weight loss, but may not have symptoms |
Coccidiosis in cats.
The most common symptoms of coccidiosis in severe cases are diarrhea (sometimes bloody), weight loss and dehydration. For diagnosis, veterinarians use stool analysis data, external signs of disease and intestinal disorders.
Cats usually do not require treatment as the body is usually able to clear the infection on its own. However, if necessary, sick cats can be treated with medication.
To prevent coccidiosis, it is very important to provide good sanitation, especially in catteries or homes where several cats live. Litter trays should be cleaned frequently and feces should not be contaminated with food or water. Cages, dishes, toys and other cat accessories should be cleaned daily. Raw meat should be excluded from the cat's diet. It is also necessary to treat the area against insects.
Giardiasis in cats.
Giardia protozoa live and reproduce by attaching themselves to the cat's small intestine. They form cysts that are excreted from the body in feces. Transfer occurs when it enters the cat's mouth.
Treatment of giardiasis in cats is carried out with medications that effectively act on protozoa. There are vaccines against Giardia that relieve symptoms and reduce the number and duration of release of cysts into the environment. Your veterinarian can recommend a vaccine that is appropriate for your cat.
Cats are one of the best hunters in nature. They live all over the world, and some have adapted to extremely harsh weather conditions in places like Norway and Siberia. This, however, does not mean that they are indomitable. Felines can contract a variety of diseases. Many of them are similar to those that occur in humans.
There are different types of coccidia. Isospora Rivolta and – the most common.
How often does it occur?
Can a person become infected with coccidiosis?
Yes and no. The most common types of coccidia cannot be transmitted to humans. But some rarer types, e.g. Cryptosporidium, easily enter the intestines.
Coccidia is usually very common in overcrowded shelters and stray animals due to lack of hygiene and healthcare.
Causes of the disease
As a microorganism, coccidia can be acquired by a cat after it has been in contact with an infected individual. This usually occurs when a kitten comes into contact with the excrement of a stray wild animal, or if it shares a litter box with an infected domestic cat.
It is also possible to get coccidiosis if a cat eats an infected animal - a rodent or bird.
Finally, coccidiosis can be passed on to a newborn kitten from its mother.
It is possible to see symptoms only after the infection affects the kitten. What happens when infected?
- Diarrhea.
- Mucus in the stool.
- Dehydration.
- Vomit.
- Abdominal distress.
- Death.
As mentioned above, an animal can be infected even without showing the telltale symptoms of infection. If you suspect something is wrong, monitor how the animal behaves.
If any of the above signs are present, you should contact your veterinarian. Describe the problem as clearly as possible and take your cat to the doctor as soon as possible. If you adopted a kitten from a shelter and it has never been tested before, it may be infected with coccidiosis, even if it has not been exposed to animals near your home.
Treatment methods
Coccidiosis can be cured if the infection is detected early. The veterinarian will create a treatment plan to remove coccidia from the kitten's body. It is necessary to strictly follow the plan to prevent further spread of the infection.
Drinking plenty of fluids is essential for recovery. The infection will most likely lead to dehydration from diarrhea, the most dangerous part of the disease. In this case, the doctor often puts in an IV. Changing the diet is also possible if the veterinarian deems it necessary.
While implementing your treatment plan, you must also monitor your own health. It is better to use disposable gloves when cleaning the tray. You should be careful with everything you touch or inhale, regardless of the type of coccidia your cat has. If you adopted a kitten from a breeder or another owner, you should immediately notify the previous owner. There is a possibility of the infection spreading in the same place.
Prevention
Cleanliness is the main rule for preventing infection. You should clean the litter box as often as possible, at least in the morning and evening. Disinfect the tray and everything around it. If possible, do not let your pets leave the house, so they will not become infected by rodents and birds. Feed your cats a high-quality food to keep their health and immune system healthy.
Wash water and food bowls every day. Minimize incoming stress. If one cat in your home shows symptoms of illness, treatment should be started for all cats.
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