Intestinal parasites in cats
Intestinal parasites in cats can cause diarrhea due to various causes. A common cause is infestation with single-celled intestinal parasites. To determine which of these parasites in cats commonly found, in Austria, scientists from the Vienna Veterinary University examined about 300 cats.
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Pathogens that cause diarrhea in cats
The most common causative agents of diarrhea are the so-called Giardia. One of the species found Giardia can be transmitted to humans.
Barbara Hinney and her colleagues from the Institute of Parasitology at the Veterinary University of Vienna conducted a study across Austria, testing 298 cat stool samples for single-celled intestinal parasites, known as protozoa. The samples were collected from cats from private households, catteries, and animal shelters. At least 56 of the 298 cats were found to be infected with intestinal parasites.
Parasitic infection often spreads to households with a large number of cats.
The risk of intestinal parasites is particularly high in households with a large number of cats. Kittens are also particularly vulnerable to intestinal parasites, as they have not yet developed immunity to them. These cats then shed the parasites and thus infect other cats, so the risk of infection is higher in households with a large number of cats, according to Hinney.
Possible transmission of infection from cats to humans
Over 12 percent of the study detected Giardia. These are transmitted from animals in the form of cysts, for example, through ingestion, entering the small intestine and potentially multiplying there. These cysts are excreted in the stool and are released back into the environment. "We found Giardia species that are unique to cats. However, one of the Giardia species found is also found in humans, so transmission from cats to humans cannot be ruled out," explains Hinney.
"The danger here is particularly acute for people with weakened immune systems. Many giardiasis infections are transmitted from person to person. This often happens during travel to hot countries, such as India. In these cases, infection often occurs through drinking water," says Hinney.
Many cats with giardiasis infection are asymptomatic, but in some cases diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal pain may occur.
Hygiene in places where cats are kept
"Giardia cysts are very resilient and difficult to get rid of again, so there's a risk of reinfection even after successful medical treatment," says Hinney. To successfully treat Giardia in cats, certain hygiene rules must be followed. Giardia cysts, excreted in feces, survive particularly well in humid and hot climates. Hinney recommends washing blankets and bedding that come into contact with animals at a temperature of at least 60 degrees Celsius. Cat bowls should be washed regularly in hot water and dried.
Cat feces should be disposed of in the trash rather than flushed down the toilet, as giardia is waterborne. Sometimes, despite consistent use of these measures, a giardia infection cannot be eliminated.
A veterinarian should be consulted about the possibility of discontinuing treatment if a cat continues to shed Giardia parasites despite anti-Giardiasis therapy without showing symptoms of the disease. However, it should be kept in mind that an infected animal without showing signs of illness can transmit the infection to others.
Other diarrheal pathogens found in cat-keeping environments
Furthermore, parasitologists confirmed the presence of Trichomonas, a parasite that causes diarrhea, in one cat. Trichomonas causes diarrhea and bloating in animals, but is not transmitted to humans.
Twelve cats were infected with coccidia. These parasites are found primarily in young animals (kittens). Cryptosporidium was detected in five animals. However, only those coccidia species that exclusively infect cats were detected.
"When a cat has severe diarrhea, it loses a lot of fluid, so it's crucial to replace it. There are medications for many parasitic infections that can also be used to prevent cryptosporidiosis," says Hinney.
This article is published in the scientific journal Parasitology.
The authors of the article are Barbara Hinney, Christina Ederer, Karina Stengel, Kathrin Wilding, Gabriella Strykolkova, Josef Harl, Eva Fläcksi, Hans-Peter Fuhrer, and Anja Joachim.
Translated by Ryndina O. V.
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1 comment
Zina1234
Our cat once started vomiting and having diarrhea along with worms. We went to the vet, and he told us to give her Dironet. I didn't expect her to recover in just one day. She was very lethargic, but after we gave her the medication, she immediately became much more energetic.
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