Parasites

There are several types of parasites but here are the most common!

What is Coccidiosis?

 Coccidiosis is a parasitic type of infection, caused by the Coccidia Parasite. Coccidiosis is an intestinal tract infection cause by a one-celled organism or protozoa called coccidia. In cats and dogs, most coccidia are of the genus called isopspora felis and isospora rivolta and are the most common species of coccidia found in cats and dogs.

Coccidia are not parasitic intestinal worms. They are microscopic parasites that live within cells of the intestinal lining.

Because they live in the intestinal tract and most commonly cause diarrhea, they are often confused with worms. It most commonly causes watery, mucus-based diarrhea in animals.

If not treated, over time it can cause damage to the lining of a cat’s intestinal tract. With appropriate and prompt treatment, the prognosis is good.

 Oocysts or immature coccidia are passed in the stool of an infected cat. They lie in the environment and ewve4ntually sporulate and mature into a more developed oocyst that can re-infect the cat or the dog. Other cats, dog rodents in the household might become infected.

This process can occur in as little as six hours, but it usually takes 7 to 10 days.

If the sporulated oocysts are swallowed, they mature in the animal’s intestine to complete the life cycle. If a mouse should swallow the oocysts, a cat may become infected by eating the infected mouse.

Giardia spp.

Giardia spp. Are single celled parasitic organisms (protozoa) found in the intestines of cats and many other animals. These microscopic parasites attach to the intestinal wall or swim freely in the mucous lining of the intestines.

Approximately four per cent of pets in North America are expected to have Giardia. Cat less than three years of age are more often infected than older cats.

 Life cycle of Giardia

 Giardia occurs in two forms:

A motile feeding stage (trophozoite) that lives within the intestine and a non-motile stage.

The cyst develops as the parasite is swept down the intestine and before it passes in the feces. Cysts are fully developed when the enclosed protozoan divides to form two daughter organisms.

The daughter trophozoites are released when the cysts are accidentally eaten.

Once the parasites are released, they increase their numbers by dividing in half repeatedly.

 What is giardia?

 Giardiasis is an intestinal infection of man and animals caused by a protozoan parasite Giardia intestinalis (also known as Giardia lamblia). Giardia is a simple one celled parasitic species: it is not a worm, bacteria or virus. The parasite occurs worldwide and is a common cause of “traveler’s diarrhea” in people.

Outdoor enthusiasts who inadvertently consume contaminated water may develop “beaver fever” which is another name for giardiasis in people. Other examples or protozoan parasites that can cause enteric (intestinal) diseases are coccidia, cryptosporidium and toxoplasma.

 The Giardia organism has two forms. A fragile, feeding form exists in the gut of the infected. A hardy cystic form is shed in feces and can survive several months in the environment, particularly in water and damp environments.

 Giardiasis can be an important cause of diarrhea in animals and man. However, many cats are infected without developing clinical signs or the diarrhea is treated as non-specific.

Giardia infection in pets is undoubtedly more common than recognized or diagnosed.

The parasite has one-to-two-week incubation period. Most cats are asymptomatic, although they may keep passing on cysts for months or years. Clinical signs are most likely to be seen in younger animals from multi-cat household’s environment.

Tritrichomonas Foetus

Tritrichomonas foetus is a microscopic single celled flagellated protozoan parasite that has traditionally been identified as a cause of reproductive disease in cattle (infertility, abortion, and endometritis)

Tritrichomonas Foetus is yet another infectious organism yielding diarrhea in feline patients, usually with a history of group lifestyle. The organism was previously thought to infect only cattle, where it causes miscarriage and fertility problems but recently in 2003, t.foetus has emerged as an infectious agent for cats. Information and recommendations regarding this organism have changed in the last several years and we attempt to provide the most up to date summary of what is known and recommended for prevention and treatment of this infection.

1. Foetus is shed in the feces of an infected cat. Most commonly transmission occurs when cats share a litter box as the organism can live up to 3 days in fecal material. Any time a cat steps in the feces of an infected cat, organism can be transferred to the paws and later licked up during grooming.