Toxoplasmosis is caused by Toxoplasma gondii, or Toxoplasma gondii for short. Its entire developmental process requires two hosts. Cat is the definitive host of Toxoplasma gondii. Toxoplasma gondii has a lax choice of intermediate hosts, and more than 200 species of animals, including mammals, birds, fish, reptiles and humans, are known to be its intermediate hosts. Cats can also serve as intermediate hosts for T. gondii. In the intermediate host, T. gondii can reproduce asexually in nucleated cells in various tissues and organs of the whole body.
Animals are infected by eating infected oocysts in cat feces or meat, viscera, exudates, excreta, and milk from intermediate hosts containing tachyzoites or cysts of Toxoplasma gondii. Tachyzoites can also infect the fetus through the skin, mucosa, and placenta.
Causes of Toxoplasmosis in Dogs
Toxoplasmosis is caused by infection with an obligate intracellular coccidiform parasite, Toxoplasma gondii.Main Symptoms of Toxoplasmosis in Dogs
Most adult dogs had latent infection or asymptomatic inapparent infection. The main clinical symptoms of young dogs were fever, loss of appetite, weakness, pale mucosa, cough, dyspnea, conjunctival hyperemia, moist eyeballs, tears due to fear of light, viscous secretions flowing out, and dense granular vesicles under the conjunctival sac and the tittitating membrane. The dogs rubbed their eyes and face with their toes from time to time, and rubbed their cheeks repeatedly, which was painful and itchy. The upper and lower eyelids opened and closed frequently, the eyeball was obviously depressed, the cornea was cloudy, the later eyelid was glued, the vision decreased, and even the formation of ulcers.Diagnostic criteria of Toxoplasmosis in Dogs
Blood tests: in the acute phase, red and white blood cells decreased, and neutrophils increased. Neutropenia and mononucleosis were rare. The total white blood cell count was increased, mainly neutrophilic, and thrombocytopenia, but there was no bleeding tendency in chronic cases.Laboratory tests: Relying on clinical symptoms alone can easily be confused with canine distemper, especially neural distemper. Therefore, after comprehensive judgment such as epidemiological analysis and clinical symptoms, the diagnosis can only be confirmed by the detection of pathogens or the confirmation of increased antibody titer in serum.
Treatment for Toxoplasmosis in Dogs
"In cases of acute infection, sulfadiazine (SD), 70 mg per kilogram of body weight, or trimethoprimidine (TMP), 14 mg per kilogram of body weight, can be taken orally twice daily for 3 to 4 days." Because of the low solubility of sulfadiazine, it is easy to precipitate crystals in the urine. When taking it orally, it should be combined with the same amount of sodium bicarbonate and increase drinking water. "In addition, sulfonamide-6-methoxyrimidine (sulfamethoxyrimidine, bacteriosulfonate, SMM, DS-36) or sulfonyl dapsone (SDDS) may be used."Methods of prevention and control Toxoplasmosis in Dogs
Do not feed raw meat, and prevent dogs from preying on rodents, and prevent cat feces from contaminating feed and drinking water. During pregnancy, try to stay away from cats to prevent infection with Toxoplasma gondii and cause adverse consequences.
