Is your pet cat safe? Are you and your cat safe together? The answer is yes! It is not possible to contract Toxoplasmosis from petting or playing with a cat. As mentioned before, the primary way for a human being to become infected by T. gondii is by un-safe handling of cat litter that has not been disposed of properly and within five days of shedding.

Higher rates of T. gondii infection are seen in feral and homeless cats rather than in domestic cats, domestic cats can just as easily contract the resulting disease. Cats who scavenge for food or spend more time outdoors are more likely to come across an infected rodent, unclean soil or food products to consume, or contaminated cat feces.  Once exposed to the parasite, however, a cat develops immunity against T. gondii. This means they can only be infected one time while expressing symptoms, though very mild symptoms can occur from a second infection (1,3). Symptoms of infection in your cat include loss of appetite, diarrhea, and breathing issues. Similarly to humans, kittens are more likely to display more severe symptoms than adult cats with stronger immune systems. If your cat does get infected, there are antibiotics that can be prescribed to manage symptoms (2). During this time, the cat should limit interaction with children and cat litter should be disposed of regularly. Your cat can receive a blood or urine test to see if they are carrying the parasite. Cats are only contagious through contact with their feces (3)!

Other animals that can harbor the parasite include rodents, sheep, goats, and other livestock and are at high risk for developing Ovine Toxoplasmosis. Farmers can experience great economic loss by having their sheep infected with T. gondii as it causes abortion and barrenness in pregnant sheep, leading to high deaths rates of lambs and sheep mothers. Livestock are at risk for contracting the disease through the same ways cats are (4).

Currently, a vaccine against Ovine Toxoplasmosis does exist called Toxovax. See Vaccine & Scientific Developments for more information.

 

Sources:

1.”Toxoplasmosis.” Toxoplasmosis | Pets & Parasites: The Pet Owner’s Parasite Resource. CAPC, 2016. Web. 15 Dec. 2016.

2. “Toxoplasmosis in Cats.” Pets WebMD. WebMD, 2014. Web. 15 Dec. 2016.

3. Toxoplasmosis Is A Disease Caused By A Microscopic Parasite, and Called. “Cats and Pregnant Women.” Cats and Pregnant Women – Toxoplasmosis (n.d.): n. pag. The Cat Group. Cats Protection Veterinary Guide 20. Web. 13 Dec. 2016.

4. “Toxoplasmosis – Sheep.” Toxoplasmosis – Sheep – WikiVet English. Wiki Vet, 20 July 2012. Web. 15 Dec. 2016.