Monday, February 18, 2013

Crazy Catz


How many cats are being taken care of as household pets? Let’s hope not too many. Up to half of all human beings are infected with a rare disease that is transmitted from their cats. These house pets are believed to carry a parasite that can take their caretakers hostage.

The parasite, Toxoplasma gondii, is easily transmitted from a cat’s feces to humans and can lead to the disease, Toxoplasmosis. The parasite resides in the human brain and can lead to serious side effects. It can cause blindness, brain damage, and in the worst-case scenario, still birth when transmitted from a mother to her unborn child.

Cats don’t normally consume their own feces so how do they manage to catch the parasite in the first place? Rats consume the feces of cats and can become infected with Toxoplasma gondii. When a cat attacks and bites an infected rat, the parasites are then being transmitted, keeping the parasite and disease alive.

By no means should everyone abandon his or her precious cat. Lucky for us, it’s relatively a benign disease for many. Just be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after handling yours cat’s litter box! There are movements towards finding a vaccination for Toxoplasmosis. It is yet to be determined whether the vaccines are potentially life threatening or life saving, but research can potentially help those currently infected. 

Posted By: Kimberly Ty (3)

9 comments:

  1. It is scary to think that cats may be so dangerous, but is there anyway to prevent a cat from encountering this parasite? Isn't this contracted from soil and certain afflicted rodents? And if so, if a cat remains inside, could we potentially save it?

    -Ashley Sterpka (1)

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  2. I found this really interesting. I never thought that household cats carried this, let alone that most people think that they are harmless.Do you think adopted cats have the parasite more often, or just all cats in general?

    Cynthia Bui (1)

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  3. Good to know! Can this parasite occur in dogs too? My two dogs catch and kill mice outside frequently.

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  4. Ashley,

    I did further research and according to PubMed Health, the parasite can be contracted through soil, contaminated uncooked meats, and cat feces and also anything that comes into direct contact with the parasite. Cats can be protected from this parasite as long as it does not ingest it's own feces or come into contact with any infected rodents.

    Kimberly Ty (3)

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  5. Angeline,

    This parasite can occur in dogs, too. The parasite isn't found in dog feces like in cats, but if your dog comes into contact with an infected mouse, your dog can potentially contract the parasite.

    Kimberly Ty (3)

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  6. Cynthia,

    I'm not sure if adopted cats are more at risk for catching the parasite. Again, if any organism has come into contact with the parasite, or another organism that is infected, the risk for Toxoplasmosis increases.

    Kimberly Ty (3)

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  8. This is why I don't like cats, they're not entirely domesticated sometimes. If I let something in my house get me sick like that, that something would be outside in an instant. Has anything like a vaccine been developed for this parasite?

    Nick Mulone (3)

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  9. Thanks for giving me another reason to put on the long list of reasons as to why we can't own a cat. I'm glad I have a dog, worst case scenario he contracts the same thing, he's still not a cat.

    Michael Ball (1)

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