Protozoal Parasites of Cats Flashcards
1
Q
How is toxoplasmosis transmitted?
A
- congenital
- ingestion of infected tissues
- ingestion of oocyst contaminated food or water
2
Q
What are the common sites of replication of toxoplasma?
A
brain, liver, lungs, skeletal muscle, and eyes
3
Q
What are the clinical signs of toxoplasmosis?
A
- diarrhea in naive cats
kittens: systemic - fading kitten syndrome
- ocular signs, inflammation of CNS, lungs, and liver
- enlarged abdomen
older cats: systemic from reactivation
4
Q
How is toxoplasmosis diagnosed?
A
- CBC, chem (increased enzymes)
- diffuse interstitial to alveolar pattern
- FNA, fecal exam, serology
- aqueous humor and CSF
- culture, PCR, ELISA
5
Q
How is toxoplasmosis treated?
A
- clindamycin or pyrimethamina and sulfonamide for clinical cases
- monensin for shedders
6
Q
What are the clinical signs of a tritrichomonas infection?
A
large bowel diarrhea
7
Q
How is trichomoniasis diagnosed?
A
fecal smear
culture
8
Q
How is trichomoniasis treated?
A
Ronidazole
9
Q
How is cytauxzoonosis spread?
A
via ticks
10
Q
Describe the pathogenesis of cytauxzoonosis
A
- asexual reproduction in host phagocytic cells
- cells rupture, releasing merozoites
- taken up by erythrocytes producing piroplasma
11
Q
What are the clinical signs of cytauxzoonosis?
A
- acute onset anorexia, lethargy, and fever
- vocalization, weakness, icterus, dark yellow urine, seizures, resp distress
12
Q
How is cytauxzoonosis diagnosed?
A
- CBC, chem: pancytopenia, anemia
- peripheral blood smear
- bone marrow exam
- PCR
