What is toxoplasmosis

If your cat is a prolific mouser, there’s a good chance that he’s been exposed to toxoplasma, a microscopic parasite. Cats sometimes ingest this organism when they eat raw meat. In healthy pets, the parasite rarely causes disease, but kittens and immuno-suppressed cats could end up with toxoplasmosis.

This disease can cause a variety of symptoms ranging from respiratory problems to gastrointestinal or neurologic issues. Such a broad range of potential signs makes toxoplasmosis hard to diagnose. So if a veterinarian suspects that a cat is infected, he or she will likely prescribe an antibiotic.

To protect your cat from toxoplasmosis, keep him indoors so that his diet consists only of commercial cat food.

– Dr. Larry McDaniel, DVM for the “Purina® Animal Instincts” Podcast Series

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