Protozoa in Small Animals Flashcards
What is the most common Giardia spp. in dogs?
G. duodenalis
What are clinical signs of Giardia?
Sometimes none, D+/colitis, wt loss/anorexia rare
What is the route of transmission of Giardia?
Fecal-oral ingestion of cyst
Where do Giardia cysts live in the environment?
Contaminated water/feces
Does Giardia have an intermediate host?
No
How do you dx Giardia?
Direct smear w/saline, fecal float w/centrifugation, ELISA, PCR
What features of Giardia make diagnosis difficult?
Intermittent shedding
How do you treat Giardia in dogs and cats?
No approved treatment, Fenbendazole, Metronidazole, or both
Is Giardia zoonotic?
Zoonotic risk not established
What organisms cause Coccidiosis?
Eimeria spp. and Isospora spp.
Which coccidia is considered a pseudoparasite in dogs/cats?
Eimeria
Which Isospora spp. affect cats?
C. felis/rivolta
Which Isospora spp affect dogs?
C. canis/ohioensis/neorivolta/burrowsi
Are canine and feline coccidia zoonotic to humans?
No
What are clinical signs of coccidiosis?
D+/colitis, wt loss and dehydration in young animals
How are coccidia transmitted?
Ingestion of infective sporulated oocysts from env., ingestion of infected transport hosts
How do you dx coccidia?
Fecal float
How do you treat coccida?
Sulfadimethoxine (approved); Ponazuril, TMPS (other)
What is the most common feline tritrichomonas infection?
T. blagburni (formerly T. foetus)
Is feline Tritrichomonas zoonotic to humans?
No
Where in the cat does T. foetus live?
Colon and cecum
What is the route of transmission of T. foetus?
Fecal-oral
What are clinical signs of T. foetus?
Chronic and intermittent D+
How do you dx T. foetus?
Direct fecal smear, PCR, culture
What type of movement does T. foetus have on a fecal smear?
Jerky and radnom
What type of movement does Giardia have on fecal smear?
“Falling leaf”
How do you treat T. foetus?
Ronidazole
What is a possible side effect of Ronidazole?
Neurotoxicity
What is the definitive host of Toxoplasmosis gondii?
Cats
How is T. gondii transmitted?
Acquired via ingestion of oocytes or bradyzoites
Congenital via transplacental/mammary passage of tachyzoites
How do you dx T. gondii?
Fecal float for oocysts, IFA, ELISA, PCR
How can IFA and ELISA tell you if there is an active T. gondii infection?
Rise in IgG over 2-3wk
High IgM
What is the treatment of choice for T. gondii?
Clindamycin
Is T. gondii zoonotic?
Yes, serious risk causing congenital defects
What is the definitive host of Neospora caninum?
Dogs
What are modes of N. caninum transmission?
Acquired via ingestion of oocysts or cattle tissue w/bradyzoites
Congenital via tranplacental passage of tachyzoites
What do young dogs infected with N. caninum usually present with?
Ascending paralysis
What are clinical signs of N. caninum in older dogs?
Neuro, resp, and/or derm signs
How do you dx N. caninum?
Fecal float for oocysts, IFA, direct agglutination, ELISA, PCR
How do you treat N. caninum?
Clindamycin, TMPS + pyrimethamine
How long do you treat for N. caninum?
4+ weeks
Which Cryptosporidium specie affects dogs?
C. canis
Which Cryptosporidium specie affects cats?
C. felis
How is Crypto transmitted?
Fecal oral via sporulated oocysts
How do you dx Crypto?
Fecal float and direct smear, ELISA, IFA
How do you treat Crypto?
Nitazoxanide (Alinia), Tylosin, Azithromycin
Pear shaped binulceate organism
Giardia
How many nuclei does Tritrichomonas foetus have?
One
