Are cats vaccinated against toxoplasmosis?

One of the diseases that cats are susceptible to is toxoplasmosis. The causative agent is an intracellular parasite - Toxoplasma, a representative of the protozoan kingdom. This disease threatens not only cats, but also dogs, rodents, and rabbits. Humans are also susceptible to it. Toxoplasmosis is especially dangerous for pregnant women; it leads to malformations and even death of the fetus, and this is another reason to take care of protecting your pet from this disease.

Contraindications

Vaccinated animals get sick less due to the activation of the production of antibodies that prevent the development of pathogens. Comprehensive vaccination and precautions will help avoid infection of the cat, and consequently the owner, with toxoplasmosis. General vaccination of cats against toxoplasmosis will not completely protect them. The owner must adhere to safety rules to prevent infection. The following factors are dangerous for an unvaccinated animal:

walking outside;
catching and eating rodents;
walks with street animals;
eating raw meat and fish products.

Veterinarians recommend not vaccinating your cat if there are negative factors that could worsen the condition or reduce the effect of the injection. It is important to remember that without premature treatment of the cat against endo- and ectoparasites, the pet should not be vaccinated. In addition, doctors suggest waiting with vaccination in the following conditions:

weakened body;
pregnancy;
kitten feeding period;
age less than 60 days;
time of teeth change;
planned mating in less than 30 days;
postoperative stage;
animal rehabilitation;
less than 15 days after a course of antibiotics;
planned surgical interventions earlier than 3 weeks after the injection.

Toxoplasmosis is one of the most dangerous diseases in cats, but its particular danger lies in the fact that it is transmitted to humans.

The causative agents of this serious disease are intracellular parasites (protozoa Toxoplasma). This parasite enters the developing fetus through the placenta, causing animals to suffer miscarriages, congenital deformities of offspring, or stillbirths. Further infection of others with toxoplasmosis occurs when worm eggs found in cat feces enter the environment.

1) Eating cyst-contaminated food, meat, mice and rats;

2) Infection through dust and dirt entering the house with shoes.

A cat is most dangerous to others during the first three weeks after infection. Cysts die at ambient temperatures below minus 25 degrees. Therefore, if you feed your animal frozen meat, the likelihood of contracting toxoplasmosis is minimal.

What are the main symptoms of contracting this dangerous disease: during the first breeding period, the cat’s lymph nodes may enlarge - this lasts from one to six weeks.

Sometimes the disease is asymptomatic or the symptoms are minor - redness of the eyes, short-term diarrhea, minor nasal discharge; during this period the cat may lose appetite and lose weight.

In acute toxoplasmosis, the animal refuses to eat, muscle tremors and drooling appear, vomiting and severe diarrhea begin. If the nervous system is affected, coordination is lost and convulsions appear.

– vaccination should be carried out only in a veterinary clinic;

– a week before vaccination, it is necessary to remove worms from cats;

– you cannot vaccinate lactating and pregnant cats;

– you cannot vaccinate an animal if it has been in contact with a sick animal or you are going to get another one.

Let us consider the main aspects of the disease in more detail.

– Contact only specialized veterinary clinics;

– Preliminarily remove all worms from your pet (a week before the planned procedure);

– Do not vaccinate pregnant or lactating cats;

– Do not vaccinate an animal if it has already been in contact with an infected relative.

Can a cat be vaccinated against toxoplasmosis, and what are the indications? From 9 weeks of a kitten’s life, mother’s milk stops protecting its immunity. It is recommended to get vaccinated during this period.

If a cat often walks on the street, especially in places where stray animals accumulate, then it also needs to undergo preventive measures.

Vaccination against toxoplasmosis is recommended for children, as well as pregnant women during pregnancy planning.

The vaccine should be given to your cat by experienced professionals at a veterinary clinic. In this case, vaccination deadlines must be observed.

Before giving the vaccine, it is necessary to deworm the animal.

For this purpose, antiparasitic drugs are given. Otherwise, the effectiveness of the vaccine will be significantly reduced.

Do not give the vaccine to cats if they are pregnant or nursing kittens.
The procedure is not performed on sick animals.
If you plan to breed a cat, then its vaccination is carried out 30 days in advance.
If the animal has undergone surgery or undergone antibiotic therapy, then it is not allowed to undergo the procedure.
When planning surgery for the next 30 days, vaccination is not carried out.

The same contraindications apply to people.

Before moving or breeding a cat, vaccination is strictly prohibited. This is explained by the fact that the animal will suffer stress in the future, which will significantly reduce the performance of its immune system. That is why it will be difficult or even impossible for his body to tolerate vaccination.

To avoid the appearance of a dangerous disease, toxoplasmosis in cats must be prevented in a timely manner.

For this purpose, it is necessary to clean the cat's litter box daily. It is also disinfected three times a week.

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It is strictly forbidden for a cat to catch birds and rodents and, especially, to eat them.

It is not recommended to feed animals raw meat. Before giving meat products to a cat, it is necessary to carry out high-quality heat treatment.

Toxoplasmosis, the prevention of which in humans consists of following certain rules, can develop for a variety of reasons.

After visiting the toilet, as well as before eating, it is mandatory to wash your hands.
Before eating meat products, they are fully fried or boiled.
After preparing food, especially if it involved contact with raw meat, a woman is advised to wash her hands thoroughly with soap.
Vegetables and fruits may harbor the parasite Toxoplasma. In order to eliminate it, it is recommended to heat-treat products. If this is not possible, then they are thoroughly washed under running water.
The knife and board used to cut meat are not used for working with other products. After cutting meat, this equipment must be thoroughly washed.
Pregnant representatives of the fairer sex are strictly prohibited from caring for cats.

Toxoplasmosis is a rather dangerous disease that appears due to the penetration of parasites into the body. Their ultimate owners are cats.

If the rules of prevention are not followed, the disease can also appear in humans. To avoid contracting the infection, cats and people need to be vaccinated. It is done only according to indications. Since the procedure has contraindications, it is necessary to consult a specialist before it.

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Is it possible to get a vaccination (vaccine) against toxoplasmosis for humans and animals?

Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by the protozoan microorganism Toxoplasma gondii, which can infect animals and humans.

A characteristic feature of this intracellular parasite is its ability to penetrate the fetus developing in the womb, easily bypassing the placental barrier. Thus, causing spontaneous abortion, stillbirth, severe deformities and congenital pathologies.

Is there a vaccine against toxoplasmosis? This information is primarily of interest to women who are already carrying babies and those who are just planning a pregnancy.

When commenting on whether there is a vaccine for toxoplasmosis, doctors unanimously claim that one has not been developed and, most likely, will never be invented, explaining their answer with the following arguments:

This disease is not included in the list of epidemiologically dangerous diseases, so vaccination against toxoplasmosis is not vital;
The disease is not caused by an infectious agent, but by an intracellular parasite, so the vaccine will not be effective.

How to avoid infection during pregnancy? Vaccination will not be necessary if the girl has been exposed to cats since early childhood. In this case, most often, she has already suffered from this parasitic disease asymptomatically, and her body has developed lifelong immunity, protecting the unborn child from infection and irreversible pathologies.

If a laboratory test does not confirm the presence of antibodies to toxoplasmosis infection in the blood, the following rules will apply to a person being vaccinated:

Thoroughly washed hands, vegetables and fruits will allow you not to think about the anti-parasitic vaccine. After all, cysts that are quite viable in the external environment remain infectious in the soil and dust for a year and a half, if the conditions are favorable.
A quarter of the meat supplied to stores and markets is contaminated. Prevention for a person in this case will be basic adherence to the rules of cooking, thoroughly fried and boiled meat.
Pets, primarily cats, can become a source of infection. But while you're expecting your baby, don't rush to part with your four-legged pet. Firstly, only sick animals that excrete cysts in their feces are dangerous. Secondly, for parasite eggs to become infectious to humans, several days must pass. Therefore, do not panic when giving the animal into the wrong hands. If you clean the litter box daily and perform hand hygiene, your health will not be at risk.

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Many cat owners are often interested in the availability of vaccinations against intercellular parasites that are dangerous to the health of the animal. There is also no such vaccine. But veterinary services report that preventive drugs are being developed and tested. And perhaps a full-fledged vaccine against toxoplasmosis for animals will soon appear.

A characteristic feature of this intracellular parasite is its ability to penetrate the fetus developing in the womb, easily bypassing the placental barrier. Thus, causing spontaneous abortion, stillbirth, severe deformities and congenital pathologies.

How dangerous is toxoplasmosis in cats for animals and people?

An infectious disease caused by the protozoan parasite Toxoplasmagondi is called toxoplasmosis. The disease is one of the most common and dangerous ailments. 1 The danger of toxoplasmosis for cats1.1 How does infection occur?2 How is toxoplasmosis transmitted from cat to person3 What breeds of cats are susceptible to the disease4 Symptoms of toxoplasmosis4.1 Acute form4.2 Symptoms of toxoplasmosis in humans5 Treatment of toxoplasmosis in cats6 Prevention7 Vaccinations8 Video about the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis in cats

Toxoplasmosis is a serious parasitic disease that develops as a result of the microparasite Toxoplasma entering the body. It is expressed by severe symptoms (in acute cases) and can cause serious consequences, affecting mainly the nervous system, but also other internal organs.

Toxoplasmosis is a fairly dangerous disease that can occur in animals and people. It appears when the body is affected by the protozoan intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Most often the disease is transmitted from mother to child.

To avoid the occurrence of pathology, a person is vaccinated against toxoplasmosis.

When the parasite enters the human body, the development of the disease is not observed. This process is directly affected by the level of pathogenicity of parasites, as well as their quantitative penetration into the human body. The process of development of the disease is also affected by the performance of its immune system.

The disease is often asymptomatic. That is why they find out about it by chance after a person has had it. If a patient has an acute form of infection, it is often confused with an acute respiratory disease.

Increased body temperature;

The appearance of a headache;

Enlarged lymph nodes;

Muscle soreness;

Drowsiness;

General weakness.

With a weakened body, there is an increase in the likelihood of developing the disease. That is why a person is recommended to constantly monitor the state of his immune system.

The vast majority of toxoplasmosis is transmitted in utero from mother to child. As a result, disturbances in the development of the fetus or defects in the newborn may occur.

Penetration of the intracellular parasite in most cases occurs through animals.

In their life cycle, Toxoplasma has intermediate and definitive hosts. Mammals and birds are intermediate. The definitive host of parasites is cats. The habitat of Toxoplasma is organs and tissues, as well as the intestines. An infected cat contaminates the soil with its feces. Toxoplasma lives in soil for 1.5 years.

Toxoplasmosis in humans occurs as a result of eating poorly heat-treated meat products.

Poorly washed vegetables and fruits can also cause the disease. A person can become infected from a sick cat if the pathogen enters the human body through the animal’s urine, saliva or tear fluid.

Toxoplasmosis is quite easily transmitted to people from animals. That is why a person needs to process food as efficiently as possible before consuming it.

Toxoplasmosis is caused by a protozoan parasite. Most often, the disease poses a danger to people with reduced immunity, children, and fetuses. Is there a vaccine against toxoplasmosis? What preventive measures should be taken to prevent the disease? Let's try to figure it out.

Toxoplasmosis is a zooanthroponosis

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Vaccinations for people

Currently, there is no vaccine against toxoplasmosis for humans that would be sufficiently effective. This is due to the specifics of the disease. It is not caused by an infectious agent or virus, but by a parasite that enters the body and inhabits cells and internal organs. It is very difficult to develop a vaccine for such diseases, since the principle of action of a vaccine is to infect the body with pathogens in an inactive form so that antibodies can begin to be produced.

Toxoplasmosis under a microscope

It is not yet possible to do this with microparasites. For this reason, there are almost no vaccinations against toxoplasmosis and other parasitic infections (for example, malaria).

However, toxoplasmosis is not considered a disease with sufficient epidemiological activity. In addition, it is not very common in Europe, the USA and Canada, so it is not necessary to be vaccinated against it. Although in countries with a high percentage of infected people (Central Africa, some areas of South America), the issue of developing a vaccine is relevant.

An interesting feature of the course of the disease, both in humans and in animals, is the formation of stable, long-acting immunity after its transmission. A patient who has had such an infection and completely recovered from it will most likely not become infected again.

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One of the dangerous anthropozoonoses, the causative agent of which is protozoa, is toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasma gondii is considered an intracellular parasite and affects nerve and muscle tissue, as well as the liver and lymphatic system.

Sick animals, mainly domestic cats, pose a real threat to human health. In this regard, pet owners need to know about the routes of infection, symptoms of the disease, methods of treating furry pets and measures to prevent a dangerous disease.

The ways in which animals are infected with toxoplasmosis have been well studied by veterinary specialists. Most often, infection occurs through the nutritional route by eating parasite oocysts.

An infectious disease caused by the protozoan parasite Toxoplasmagondi is called toxoplasmosis. The disease is one of the most common and dangerous ailments.

The danger lies in a rather long latent period, without clear symptoms and the possibility of intrauterine damage.

With toxoplasmosis in cats, intrauterine damage is possible.

The parasite penetrates the walls of the placenta and infects the fetus, which often leads to abortion. It is also dangerous for cats because in their body toxoplasma is capable of multiplying and carrying out a full life cycle, right up to its own death.

In humans, prevention of infection includes several rules:

Careful hygiene - you need to wash your hands after contact with a pet, do not kiss your pet;

Wash your hands after contact with things the cat uses - litter box, toys, houses, bedding, bowls, etc.;

Parasites can be in meat, so it must be thoroughly boiled or fried;

Parasites also survive in the soil, so vegetables need to be washed thoroughly, and it is better to peel them and not eat them raw.

To prevent toxoplasmosis from being transmitted to a cat, it is important to follow several rules:

Limit her contact with other animals, and especially with their feces and urine;
In both humans and animals, intrauterine transmission is possible, so before pregnancy it is worth conducting a study for the disease and treating it for the birth of healthy kittens;
Do not feed your cat raw foods (meat, fish, poultry);
Limit contact with soil, which may also be contaminated.

In general, animals tolerate this disease better than humans. It rarely has a serious effect on them, and if it is present, it occurs in a latent or chronic form, without causing serious consequences. However, if acute symptoms occur, it is important to contact a veterinarian promptly, as the disease can be potentially fatal.

Test for toxoplasmosis

To establish an accurate diagnosis, one examination of the animal is not enough, even if many signs of the disease are present. To prove that this particular infection has entered the body, a number of tests are carried out.

Serological analysis is the most accurate test that will determine the presence of immunoglobulins in the blood. If the analysis reveals IgM antibodies and no IgG, this indicates an acute course of the disease; the infection occurred recently.

IgM and IgG indicators indicate that the immune system has begun to fight the virus and the disease has subsided. IgG antibodies are detected a month after infection and persist throughout life, with a gradual decrease in titer.

If only IgG is present in the analysis, this means that the animal was infected a long time ago and now the virus does not pose any danger.

An analysis is carried out for the presence of oocysts. A swab is taken from the cat's anus, after which the freshly collected feces are stained with a special solution that reveals the presence of the virus. This analysis is the least informative, because when symptoms appear, the animal’s body practically stops secreting oocysts, since more than two weeks pass from the moment of infection to the appearance of symptoms.

PRC research is the most accurate, but also the most expensive type of analysis. Allows you to detect the virus in any type of biomaterial.

Indications

Based on research, the International Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) has confirmed the feasibility of comprehensive vaccination. Vaccination guarantees safety against viral and bacterial infection of pets, helminthic infestation and other parasites. The solutions are not harmful to cats and practically do not cause adverse reactions in the body. Vaccinated animals get sick less due to the activation of the production of antibodies that prevent the development of pathogens. Comprehensive vaccination and precautions will help avoid infection of the cat, and consequently the owner, with toxoplasmosis. General vaccination of cats against toxoplasmosis will not completely protect them. The owner must adhere to safety rules to prevent infection. The following factors are dangerous for an unvaccinated animal:

walking outside;
catching and eating rodents;
walks with street animals;
eating raw meat and fish products.

In addition, infection is possible even if the animal never goes outside, because the infection can be brought into the house along with dirty shoes.

Treatment of toxoplasmosis in dogs

It is not possible to completely cure toxoplasmosis, especially in advanced stages.

Treatment of a parasitic infection is aimed at eliminating the main symptoms and maintaining the body's immune strength.

The main goal of treatment is to transfer toxoplasmosis from the acute stage to the chronic stage (which does not pose a danger to surrounding animals, including humans).

The use of antibiotic therapy is not advisable, therefore, specific medications are prescribed for treatment of a sick animal.

For a sick dog, depending on the stage of infection and the clinical picture, an individual treatment regimen is selected, aimed at destroying free toxoplasma, encapsulating intracellular oocysts and relieving symptoms of the disease.

Drugs used to combat canine toxoplasmosis:

Chloridine (most effective in combination with sulfonamide drugs). The course of treatment depends on the degree of infection and generally ranges from 10 to 40 days with breaks of 7 days between doses of the drug.
Khimkotsid – course of treatment 3 days. Then the dosage is reduced to a minimum and treatment is continued for a month.
Sulfadoxine + pyramethamine - drugs with antimalarial properties are suitable for the destruction of free toxoplasma due to the similar structure of the protozoa.
Vitamin preparations (especially water-soluble group B), as well as ascorbic and folic acid.
Immunomodulatory medications.

Of no small importance in the treatment of toxoplasmosis is dietary nutrition aimed at reducing the load on the digestive system. After all, it is she who is most damaged as a result of infection by parasitic protozoan microorganisms.

During the treatment of the disease, it is necessary to carry out disinfectant cleaning of the room where the sick animal is located. Cleaning must be done at least once every 3 days. For disinfection, solutions of Chloramine, formaldehyde, caustic alkali or Lysol are used.

Routes of infection and treatment

There are several ways parasites can enter a cat's body.:

Your pet eating raw meat.
Cats that roam freely on the street have a very high risk of becoming infected. This is explained by the fact that they can catch and eat a sick bird or rodent.
Toxoplasmosis can only affect animals with weakened immune systems. Strong immunity turns cells with parasites into cysts, preventing them from multiplying.

Treatment of toxoplasmosis takes from one week to a year, depending on the health and immune system of the animal. A toxoplasmosis vaccine will help save your cat from infection.

How to treat toxoplasmosis

Not only does toxoplasmosis develop against the background of an already weakened immune system, it causes the development of numerous diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, nervous system, and lungs in cats. If Toxoplasma is detected, the doctor will definitely prescribe antimicrobial, antibacterial and other medications.

The drug Features of use Sulfonamide Cannot be prescribed during pregnancy and should not be given to animals with a weak immune system Pyrimethamine Requires parallel intake of folic acid. Allowed during the period of gestation of kittens Chemical coccide Helps reduce the severity of symptoms during exacerbation of the disease Clindamycin Prevents the multiplication of the parasite

The dosage of each drug is calculated based on the animal’s body weight, taking into account its condition and severity of symptoms. Additionally, it is recommended to give your pet sedatives, glucose (intravenously), anti-inflammatory and diuretic drugs.

With timely and correct treatment, the cat becomes noticeably better already on the third day. However, the course of therapy must be completed completely. After its completion, you should be tested again for the presence of toxoplasma.

How do they do it?

Your cat should be vaccinated at a veterinary clinic. There the vaccine is certified and stored under the necessary conditions. A professional veterinarian always initially examines the animal and clarifies its condition. It should be remembered that the cat should not be sick or weakened. Deworming and flea treatment is carried out 10 days before the planned vaccination. The doctor recommends vaccinating the cat after testing for allergies. The vaccine is given 2 times to consolidate the effect. The first injection is given to kittens when they are 2 or 3 months old. The kitten is re-vaccinated after 2-4 weeks, depending on the drug. Vaccinated animals are revaccinated after a year.

Drugs

Many manufacturers recommend different injections. Often, the cost and quality depend on the country where the compounds are produced and the reputation of the company. The following vaccines have positive reviews and certificates:

"Purevax";
"Felovax";
"Leukorifelin";
"Nobivak".

The risk of contracting such an infection in an animal remains when consuming raw meat.

Even after vaccination of the animal, infection cannot be ruled out if precautions, hygiene rules and regular examinations of the pet are not followed. Feeding raw meat is also dangerous. It should be remembered that a comprehensive vaccination against toxoplasmosis will not protect you. And the disease is dangerous even for people with reduced immunity or pregnant girls. But a vaccinated cat will be less at risk of infection during gestation.

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How to protect yourself

If there is no vaccine against the disease, this does not mean that toxoplasmosis cannot be avoided. To protect yourself from the disease, you should take regular preventive measures. It has been noticed that a pregnant woman who has been in contact with cats since early childhood has immunity against the disease. This helps her avoid infecting the fetus.

Thorough washing of hands, vegetables and fruits will help reduce the risk of infection. Most of the meat products that people buy from market stalls and shops every day are contaminated. If you follow the rules of prevention and fry or boil the meat well before eating, then parasites will not enter the body.

If you have pets in the house, especially cats, you should carefully monitor your pet’s toilet and clean it daily. After contact with an animal, be sure to wash your hands with antibacterial soap.

Most pet owners have a question: is it possible to vaccinate their pet against the disease? Veterinarians say that such a vaccine does not exist, but there are plans to develop one. In the future, preventive measures are provided that will help avoid infection of animals with this disease.

Indications and contraindications for vaccination

If a cat often walks on the street, especially in places where stray animals accumulate, then it also needs to undergo preventive measures.

Vaccination against toxoplasmosis is recommended for children, as well as pregnant women during pregnancy planning.

The vaccine should be given to your cat by experienced professionals at a veterinary clinic. In this case, vaccination deadlines must be observed.

Before giving the vaccine, it is necessary to deworm the animal.

For this purpose, antiparasitic drugs are given. Otherwise, the effectiveness of the vaccine will be significantly reduced.

Do not give the vaccine to cats if they are pregnant or nursing kittens.

The procedure is not performed on sick animals.

If you plan to breed a cat, then its vaccination is carried out 30 days in advance.

If the animal has undergone surgery or undergone antibiotic therapy, then it is not allowed to undergo the procedure.

When planning surgery for the next 30 days, vaccination is not carried out.

The same contraindications apply to people.

To avoid the appearance of a dangerous disease, toxoplasmosis in cats must be prevented in a timely manner.

For this purpose, it is necessary to clean the cat's litter box daily. It is also disinfected three times a week.

It is strictly forbidden for a cat to catch birds and rodents and, especially, to eat them.

It is not recommended to feed animals raw meat. Before giving meat products to a cat, it is necessary to carry out high-quality heat treatment.

Toxoplasmosis, the prevention of which in humans consists of following certain rules, can develop for a variety of reasons.

After visiting the toilet, as well as before eating, it is mandatory to wash your hands.

Before eating meat products, they are fully fried or boiled.

After preparing food, especially if it involved contact with raw meat, a woman is advised to wash her hands thoroughly with soap.

Vegetables and fruits may harbor the parasite Toxoplasma. In order to eliminate it, it is recommended to heat-treat products. If this is not possible, then they are thoroughly washed under running water.

The knife and board used to cut meat are not used for working with other products. After cutting meat, this equipment must be thoroughly washed.

Pregnant representatives of the fairer sex are strictly prohibited from caring for cats.

Toxoplasmosis is a rather dangerous disease that appears due to the penetration of parasites into the body. Their ultimate owners are cats.

Vaccinations for cats

A vaccine against toxoplasmosis for cats, as such, has also not been developed. The reasons here are the same as with the vaccine for people. However, in order to significantly reduce the likelihood of an animal developing a disease, it still needs to be vaccinated regularly. This is due to the characteristics of the animal’s immunity and the characteristics of the parasite.

The fact is that an animal (like a person) can normally have a certain amount of toxoplasma in its blood. In this case, the carrier himself does not get sick, but is able to transmit it. For example, it is excreted in the animal's urine and excrement, saliva and breast milk. In order to prevent the disease from developing into an acute form, which is potentially dangerous to the health and life of the animal, it is necessary to maintain its immunity at a consistently high level.

During an exacerbation period, the disease is also more likely to be transmitted to humans. This is due to the fact that the concentration of the parasitic agent in the animal’s secretions increases. To prevent this from happening, it is necessary to maintain the animal’s immunity at a consistently high level.

To do this, you need to protect the animal from contracting diseases (viruses and infections) that can weaken it. To do this, you need to vaccinate your cat with drugs like “Multifel”. They protect against a complex of the most common infections and viruses in animals, and therefore maintain immunity at a consistently high level, eliminating the possibility of a latent viral infection that reduces immunity.

This vaccination is done once every 12 months. Its cost is about 800 - 1000 rubles. Begins to be performed on kittens from 6 months of age.

It is worth noting that veterinarians are working on a vaccine. Several preventive veterinary treatments for toxoplasmosis are currently being tested.

Are cats vaccinated against toxoplasmosis?

Before the injection, the animal is carefully examined by a veterinarian.

Your cat should be vaccinated at a veterinary clinic. There the vaccine is certified and stored under the necessary conditions. A professional veterinarian always initially examines the animal and clarifies its condition. It should be remembered that the cat should not be sick or weakened. Deworming and flea treatment is carried out 10 days before the planned vaccination.

The doctor recommends vaccinating the cat after testing for allergies. The vaccine is given 2 times to consolidate the effect. The first injection is given to kittens when they are 2 or 3 months old. The kitten is re-vaccinated after 2-4 weeks, depending on the drug. Vaccinated animals are revaccinated after a year.

In some cases, the disease in a cat occurs in a latent form, i.e. does not manifest itself at all, but the pathogen is already released into the environment with feces. If there is a possibility that your cat could be infected with toxoplasmosis, you should contact a veterinary clinic to have the appropriate test done.

Toxoplasmosis is a disease that affects cats, but the main danger of the disease is the possibility of infecting humans with it. To prevent this, cats are vaccinated against toxoplasmosis. Symptoms of the disease in animals

The causative agent of toxoplasmosis is protozoan parasites that live inside cells. The eggs of these helminths first enter the cat's feces and then into the environment, thereby infecting other animals.

How can you get infected? Pathogens of the disease.

Your pet can become infected with toxoplasmosis from feeding raw meat products. This category includes poultry, beef, pork and lamb.

In addition, infection can occur if a cat eats the meat of small rodents (mice, rats).

In rare cases, infection can be transmitted from a person's outdoor shoes or clothing.

What causes the disease? The causative agent is the protozoan intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Further spread of toxoplasmosis occurs through the fecal-oral route. Worm eggs enter the animal's feces, and through them into the environment.

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The disease is accompanied by:

Increased body temperature;
The appearance of a headache;
Enlarged lymph nodes;
Muscle soreness;
Drowsiness;
General weakness.

With a weakened body, there is an increase in the likelihood of developing the disease. That is why a person is recommended to constantly monitor the state of his immune system.

Treatment of the pathogen in cats

If the cat has been treated for the disease, then the parasitic microorganisms become inactive.

The analysis determines the presence of specific antibodies in the body of animals. At the moment, the cat does not pose a danger to others.

In some cases, relapses of the disease may occur. This is why animals need to be tested for antibodies daily.

Treatment of cats is carried out only by a veterinarian. In this case, the animals are isolated from others. This measure is necessary to avoid the release of cysts into the environment.

Toxoplasmosis belongs to the category of difficult-to-treat diseases, which is explained by the presence of toxoplasma inside cysts. This greatly complicates the process of penetration of medications into them. This is why therapy with pharmaceutical drugs in cats and people is aimed at stopping the progression of the disease.

Adverse reactions

As a result of the vaccination, the cat may develop undesirable body reactions. Many of them go away on their own after a few hours or days, but sometimes the help of a veterinarian may be required. This often depends on the individual perception of the cat. Among the most common deviations caused by animal vaccination are:

discomfort;
pain in the area of skin puncture;
redness of the skin;
swelling in the injection area;
irritation;
lameness;
lack of appetite in the cat;
decreased pet activity and lethargy;
fever;
fainting;
vomit;
drop in blood pressure;
diarrhea;
allergic reaction and itching;
difficulty breathing;
anaphylactic shock;
rapid heartbeat;
heart failure.

To eliminate particularly dangerous side effects, the animal may need to take corticosteroids or infusion drugs. Sometimes adrenaline is used for anaphylactic shock. It is possible that a post-vaccination sarcoma may form after the administration of an adjuvant or that benign fungi may infect the injection area. Benign neoplasms in cats resolve over time. But there have been cases where the tumor has grown more than 2 cm. If it persists for 90-100 days, you should consult a veterinarian. The cat may require surgery, and if cancer is confirmed after surgery, chemotherapy. Sometimes veterinary doctors recommend the use of radiation.

Treatment with folk remedies

The use of traditional medicine to treat toxoplasmosis in cats is controversial regarding health safety. There are a number of methods that are suitable for people, but whether such drugs can be given to animals is unknown, since most of the medicinal components contain toxic substances.

For the treatment of toxoplasmosis, coffin, buckthorn, kupena and some other plants are used. The raw materials must be poured with boiling water in the following proportion: for one teaspoon of dry herb (or fruit, root) take one glass of boiling water. The mixture is placed in a “bath”, kept for a quarter of an hour, and after cooling, passed through a sieve. The cat is given a teaspoon of solution twice a day.

Before using such products, you should definitely consult your doctor. In addition, in order not to cause harm, one should take into account not only the symptoms, but also the age and condition of the animal.

The effectiveness of vaccinations against toxoplasmosis

People who are concerned about their health often wonder: Do cats get vaccinated against toxoplasmosis? Yes they do. This is one of the most effective methods of preventing the disease.

Vaccinating a cat against toxoplasmosis is aimed at developing artificial immunity to infection. The animal is injected with a weak concentration of the infectious agent. This allows his body to learn to fight the disease.

Immunity is developed in newborn kittens by feeding on mother's milk.

If vaccination against toxoplasmosis is not given to cats, then the infectious disease is quite difficult for animals to tolerate. In some cases, the death of an animal that was unable to overcome the infectious process was observed.

There are two types of cat vaccines: some provide protection against a specific disease, while others protect against several diseases at the same time.

The use of vaccines is permitted simultaneously. Although it is expensive to continually vaccinate animals, it is an effective way to protect humans from human infection. To increase protection, it is also recommended that the person be vaccinated.

Toxoplasmosis and pregnancy in cats

But is toxoplasmosis transmitted to kittens during pregnancy? If a pregnant cat has a primary infection with toxoplasmosis, then the disease has serious consequences for the offspring. Early miscarriages, stillbirths, and the birth of live kittens with defects incompatible with later life are possible. Vaccination against toxoplasmosis is not recommended for cats during pregnancy.

If the infection occurs in the late stages of pregnancy, the kittens are at risk of deafness, decreased vision or complete blindness, delayed physical and mental development, which in the future will lead to the inability to train the cat to live in an apartment. The cat will not be trained to go to the litter box, will not respond to its name, will not understand that it is forbidden to sharpen its claws on the sofa and not to scratch its owners.

If the cat has already been sick, then repeated infection will not affect the development of the kittens. Immune cells will not allow parasites to cross the placental barrier.

Toxoplasmosis – School of Dr. Komarovsky

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Toxoplasmosis is a disease whose causative agent is neither a virus nor a bacteria. It is caused by Toxoplasma, a representative of the protozoan type. Almost everyone probably knows about protozoa from school, but very few people have information about toxoplasmosis, which is why there are a lot of questions. Fashion designer Diana Dorozhkina came to see Dr. Komarovsky to learn more about how infection occurs, how the disease develops, how to cope with it, and why it is so dangerous for pregnant women?

Dr. Komarovsky is a pediatrician, TV presenter, and author of books about children’s health and the common sense of parents.

Prevention of toxoplasmosis

Unfortunately, there are no vaccinations against toxoplasmosis. It is possible and necessary to prevent your cat from contracting this disease in other ways.

One way of infection is through eating rodents or even contact with them. The cat should not be allowed to catch mice. It is better not to let her go outside unattended at all if the sanitary condition of city streets and basements leaves much to be desired. If the cat is still allowed to walk, you need to put a collar on it with a bell, the sound of which will scare away mice. However, such measures will not protect the cat from contact with stray animals, which can also be infected with toxoplasmosis.

Toxoplasma cysts can be contained in meat, so you cannot feed your cat raw meat; it must be cooked.

If your cat does become infected with toxoplasmosis, you should immediately contact your veterinarian and strictly follow his instructions. Treatment can be lengthy, and it cannot be stopped before the appointed time, even if the animal’s condition has improved. During treatment, it is necessary to isolate the cat from other pets, if there are any in the house, and do not allow children to play with it.

Cat feces must be removed immediately, because... Toxoplasma cysts become dangerous after maturation in air. The cat's litter box and bowl should be washed daily, and then thoroughly washed with soap and water.

If there is a pregnant woman in the house, it is better to give the cat to someone who can take care of it during treatment. If this is not possible, the pregnant woman should be completely removed from caring for the cat.

Forms of Toxoplasma

There are 3 forms of the virus inside the animal during illness, these are:

Cysts. They have a dense shell, and drugs do not penetrate through it. The pathogen is very resistant to the environment and dies at temperatures below -4 and above 37 degrees.
Trophozoites. They multiply in all cells of the body during the acute stage.
Oocysts. They form in the small intestine of cats and are excreted in the feces. This is the main source of infection. After 2 days, spores begin to be released from the stool, which become airborne and retain the ability to spread the infection throughout the year. Fresh feces contain oocysts that are not capable of infecting another type of animal or person, so removing the litter tray for a sick animal immediately prevents a person from becoming infected with toxoplasmosis.

Vaccinations for people

Toxoplasmosis under a microscope

It is not yet possible to do this with microparasites. For this reason, there are almost no vaccinations against toxoplasmosis and other parasitic infections (for example, malaria).

However, toxoplasmosis is not considered a disease with sufficient epidemiological activity. In addition, it is not very common in Europe, the USA and Canada, so it is not necessary to be vaccinated against it. Although in countries with a high percentage of infected people (Central Africa, some areas of South America), the issue of developing a vaccine is relevant.