Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by a single-celled organism, Toxoplasma gondii, capable of infecting both dog and owner alike. The infection is spread either through the feces of infected cats (as sporozoites) or undercooked meat (as tissue cysts). After consumption, the organisms invade the lining of the stomach and lower intestine, quickly spreading throughout the body. In young animals or those with compromised immune systems, this can be fatal if untreated. Older animals with good immune systems usually do not require treatment as they are able to contain the infection and often eliminate it completely. However, the infection can sometimes persist as asymptomatic “pockets” of organisms inside the animal, called bradyzoites.Toxoplasmosis is an aggressive protozoal disease affecting humans and warm-blooded animals. Found worldwide, it is highly transmissible and can pose a danger to the health of both pet and owner.
Prevention is the best possible method for avoiding toxoplasmosis. Keeping litterboxes inaccessible to your dog, removing waste every day, and washing homegrown produce reduce the risk of you or your dog acquiring this infection. If you must feed your dog wild game or raw food, freeze any meat for at least two days before feeding. Pregnant women should take special care not to come in contact with cat feces or meat from wild animals.
Thank you for your question. Is he on any medications? If all tests have come back normal, he would typically be put on an anti-emetic such as Cerenia or Metoclopramide. Without knowing more about his situation, it is difficult to comment, but those medications may be something that you can ask your veterinarian about, and if they would be appropriate. I hope that your dog is okay.
Thank you for your question. I apologize for the delay, this venue is not set up for urgent emails. I hope that your pet is feeling better. Many different problems might look like the signs that you are describing – If they are still having problems, It would be best to have your pet seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine them, see what might be going on, and get any testing or treatment taken care of that might be needed.
My dog has been vomiting for a week now. We have been to the vet on two separate occasions. We are sure that the dog ate cat feces from the litter box a week ago. Within a day he was projectile vomiting a clearish liquid. He has not been able to keep any food down for six days. The vet has ran a barium test, CBC blood work, and x-rays. The vet says nothing has come from these tests other than an enlarged stomach. They said everything was okay and there was no blockage. We just got home again from the vet and he just vomited again. We are unsure what to do. Any help would be appreciated.
How to Treat Toxoplasmosis in Dogs
Most adult dogs in good health wont experience any negative effects of toxoplasmosis and wont require treatment. However, dogs with severe symptoms may need immediate hospitalization. They may be given fluid therapy to treat dehydration, anticonvulsive medication to prevent seizures, and antibiotics to help control the infection.
Can You Get Toxoplasmosis From Your Dog?
Toxoplasmosis is considered a zoonotic disease, which means it can be passed from animals to humans. However, dogs are not primary hosts, and they do not shed T. gondii in their feces, so you dont have to worry about contracting it from them. The parasite is most often passed to humans by one of these methods:
Toxoplasmosis is not typically a concern for healthy adults, but it can cause flu-like symptoms for people with weakened immune systems. Its also highly problematic for pregnant women.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 40 million people in the United States may be infected with T. gondii, but most wont show any symptoms.
Toxoplasmosis is a serious issue for pregnant women since the organism can cross the placenta and cause severe congenital disabilities. Newborns exposed to T. gondii can have jaundice, enlarged organs, intellectual disabilities, impaired eyesight, and seizures. Some may die a short time after birth.
Pregnant women are typically advised not to clean up pet waste to help avoid contracting Toxoplasmosis or other parasitic diseases.
There are things you can do to help keep you and your dog safe from toxoplasmosis, such as:
If your dog does need treatment for toxoplasmosis, pet insurance can help cover the costs of treatment. Dig into pet insurance to learn how it can help you care for your best friend.
The information presented in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute or substitute for the advice of your veterinarian.
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Can Dogs Get Toxoplasmosis? | Wag!
Toxoplasmosis in dogs is an infection caused by a parasite known as Toxoplasma ghondii. This parasite usually affects cats and passes to other species through their fecal matter, though cats are not the only source of Toxoplasmosis.
Toxoplasma gondii is often passed through raw meat or unwashed fruits and vegetables. Some dogs with toxoplasmosis don’t show any outward symptoms, while others may experience problems in the nervous system, respiratory system, or vision. This is especially true in dogs who have compromised immune systems.
If you see the signs of toxoplasmosis in your dog, then you must consult your veterinarian for proper treatment. Here’s what you should know about the symptoms, causes, and treatments for toxoplasmosis in dogs.
Most healthy adult dogs show no symptoms of toxoplasmosis, though some do. Young dogs whose immune systems aren’t fully developed and dogs whose immune systems are compromised are at greater risk of becoming ill due to the infection.
The symptoms, when they do appear, are similar to those of distemper or rabies and may be confused for those conditions.
If you see the following symptoms in your dog, then get to your vet for a proper diagnosis and treatment:
Toxoplasmosis in dogs is often caused by ingestion of cat feces. Some dogs will eat cat feces directly, but others can be exposed when cat feces comes into contact with food, such as raw vegetables in a garden, for example.
Eating raw meat and dead animals, such as rodents or birds, can also cause the parasitic infection, as well as drinking unpasteurized goat milk or contaminated water. If you choose to feed your dog raw meat, then you must learn how to properly prepare it to reduce the risk of contamination and infection.
Treatment for dogs showing severe symptoms of toxoplasmosis may begin with hospitalization and intravenous fluids if there are signs of dehydration. Antibiotics may be given to help stop the infection from progressing and causing further symptoms.
Generally, vets prescribe medication to fight the parasite, including sulfadiazine, pyrimethamine, and clindamycin. While these drugs do help, an infected dog’s immune system must be supported to fully eliminate the infection. Contact with other animals during the recovery process should be limited.
Prevention is often a more effective way of dealing with toxoplasmosis. Dogs should not have access to any cat’s litter box, and outside sandboxes or other areas where outdoor cats may defecate should be off limits.
Homegrown vegetables and fruits should be washed before serving, and raw meat should be frozen for at least two days before serving.
Most dogs recover well from toxoplasmosis, though in the case of fetal toxoplasmosis where a pregnant mother passes the infection to their young, the puppies are likely to be stillborn, die shortly after birth, or end up with severe birth defects.
Do you take steps to keep your dog safe from toxoplasmosis and other infections? Then let us know in the comments below!