Toxoplasmosis (toxoplasma gondii) is an obligate intracellular parasite , the main vectors of which are cats. In their organisms there is a cycle of development of toxoplasmosis and its release into the external environment.
Do dogs have toxoplasmosis?
Like other animals, dogs are intermediate hosts of the parasite. In the body of the dog, toxoplasma can exist and maintain viability, but does not stand out on Wednesday. Infection occurs only orally through water or food.
Symptoms of toxoplasmosis in the dog are not immediately apparent, since the incubation period of the disease can last from one to two months. At the time of acute disease, toxoplasmosis causes dogs to increase lymph nodes, cough , purulent discharge from the nose, fever, diarrhea, heart failure. Also, the symptoms include: severe weight loss, lack of appetite, sudden nervous breakdowns and disorders. Not infrequently, the symptoms are similar to the symptoms of a viral infection. Diagnose toxoplasmosis only when the previous treatment is not effective. To do this, the dog is given an enzyme immunoassay, which allows you to determine the specific antibodies and their number in the blood of the animal.
If the symptoms coincide, and the results of the analysis confirm the presence of toxoplasmosis in the dog, the veterinarian prescribes treatment simultaneously in three directions. Parasites that circulate freely destroy specific drugs. Those toxoplasm, which have already penetrated into the cells, become inaccessible - they must be isolated, for this immunomodulators (protective mechanisms) of the animal are activated. The last direction in the treatment is to improve the overall condition of the dog (maintaining the work of various organs to eliminate secondary infections, etc.).