{"id":1194,"date":"2013-11-01T17:59:53","date_gmt":"2013-11-01T17:59:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/phosdev.com\/todaysveterinarypractice\/?p=1194"},"modified":"2022-02-17T18:12:09","modified_gmt":"2022-02-17T18:12:09","slug":"parasite-protocols-feline-protozoa-recommendations-from-the-companion-animal-parasite-council","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/parasitology\/parasite-protocols-feline-protozoa-recommendations-from-the-companion-animal-parasite-council\/","title":{"rendered":"Parasite Protocols: Feline Protozoa \u2014 Recommendations from the Companion Animal Parasite Council"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Cathy Lund, DVM, and Byron Blagburn, MS, PhD, Diplomate ACVM (Hon)<\/i><\/p>\n

The first article in this new column discussed canine protozoa. This second article addresses feline protozoa, including diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and control of infections.<\/p>\n

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The mission of the\u00a0Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC)<\/span>\u00a0is to foster animal and human health, while preserving the human\u2013animal bond, through recommendations for the diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and control of parasitic infections. For more information, including detailed parasite control recommendations, please visit\u00a0capcvet.org<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Cats can become infected by many different species of protozoan parasites\u00a0(Table)<\/strong>. These single-celled organisms affect different body systems, including the gastrointestinal tract and central nervous system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Table. U.S. Feline Protozoa: Routes of Acquisition, Diagnostic Strategies, & Preferred Treatments<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\nRoute of Acquisition<\/td>\nDiagnosis<\/td>\nPreferred Treatment<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Feline Vector-Borne Protozoa<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cytauxzoon felis <\/em><\/td>\nTick bite (frequently lone star ticks)<\/td>\nBlood smearPCR of whole bloodOrgan aspiration<\/td>\n\u2022 Atovaquone<\/strong>\u00a0(15 mg\/kg PO Q 8 H for 10 days) +\u00a0azithromycin<\/strong>\u00a0(10 mg\/kg PO Q 24 H for 10 days)
\n\u2022 Imidocarb diproprionate<\/strong>\u00a0(5 mg\/kg IM Q 2 weeks for 2 doses)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Feline Intestinal Protozoa (Coccidians)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cystoisospora species<\/em><\/td>\nIngestion of oocysts (feces) or cysts (prey tissue)<\/td>\nFecal flotation<\/td>\n\u2022 Ponazuril<\/strong>\u00a0(20\u201350 mg\/kg PO Q 24 H for 1\u20133 days)
\n\u2022 Sulfadimethoxine<\/strong>\u00a0(50\u201360 mg\/kg PO Q 24 H for 5\u201320 days)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cryptosporidium felis<\/em><\/span><\/td>\nIngestion of oocysts (fecal-contaminated material)<\/td>\n\n

Fecal flotation (sucrose)Stained fecal smearFecal IFA<\/p>\n

Fecal ELISA<\/td>\n

\u2022\u00a0Tylosin<\/strong>\u00a0(10\u201315 mg\/kg PO Q 8 H for 14\u201321 days)
\n\u2022\u00a0Azithromycin<\/strong>\u00a0(7\u201315 mg\/kg PO Q 24 H for 5\u20137 days)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Toxoplasma gondii<\/em><\/span><\/td>\nIngestion of cysts (prey tissue) or oocysts (fecal-contaminated material)<\/td>\nFecal flotationAntibody titer<\/td>\n\u2022\u00a0Clindamycin<\/strong>\u00a0(10 mg\/kg PO Q 12 H for 4 weeks)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Feline Intestinal Protozoa (Flagellates)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Giardia<\/em>\u00a0species<\/td>\nIngestion of cysts (fecal-contaminated material)<\/td>\n\n

Direct saline fecal smearFecal flotationFecal IFA<\/p>\n

Fecal ELISA<\/td>\n

\u2022 Fenbendazole<\/strong>\u00a0(50 mg\/kg PO Q 24 H for 3 days)
\n\u2022 Metronidazole<\/strong>\u00a0(10\u201315 mg\/kg PO Q 12 H for 7 days)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Tritrichomonas blagburni
\nPentatrichomonas hominis<\/em><\/td>\n		Ingestion of trophozoites (fecal-contaminated material)<\/td>\nDirect saline fecal smearFecal cultureFecal PCR<\/td>\n\u2022 Ronidazole<\/strong>\u00a0(30\u201350 mg\/kg PO Q 12 H for 14 days)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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Protozoan infections range from those with little clinical significance to others that cause devastating disease. As with any parasitic disease, identification and treatment of infection prevents suffering and even loss of life.<\/p>\n

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PROTOZOA PRIMER<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n

Cyst:<\/strong>\u00a0Infectious form of many protozoan parasites during which they are encapsulated inside a protective wall; usually found in the feces
\nCystozoites:<\/strong>\u00a0Encysted stages of certain coccidia that are found in paratenic hosts; when ingested, the cystozoite continues its development in the definitive host
\nOocyst:\u00a0<\/strong>Encysted, highly resistant zygotic stage of some sporozoan parasites that may remain infective for extended periods of time
\nSporulated oocyst: An oocyst that has developed into the infective stage in the environment
\nTrophozoite:<\/strong>\u00a0Active, motile feeding stage of the flagellate protozoa as well as the postsporozoite state that is seen in some apicomplexan parasites
\nTrypanosome:<\/strong>\u00a0A flagellated protozoan found in the vascular system of definitive hosts
\nDefinitive host:\u00a0<\/strong>Host in which parasites reproduce sexually
\nIntermediate host: Host that harbors the parasite for a short transition period, during which (usually) some developmental stage is completed
\nParatenic host:\u00a0<\/strong>Host that is not necessary for the development of a parasite, but may maintain its life cycle.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

VECTOR-BORNE INFECTIONS<\/span><\/h2>\n

Cytauxzoon felis\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/h3>\n

The most clinically significant feline vector-borne protozoan is Cytauxzoon felis, which is distributed throughout the southern U.S.<\/p>\n

Transmission.<\/strong>\u00a0C felis<\/em>\u00a0is transmitted by the lone star tick,\u00a0Amblyomma americanum<\/em>, although other ticks have been implicated.1<\/span><\/sup>\u00a0Bobcats are a reservoir of disease, exhibiting a high rate of subclinical infection. Organism transmission from bobcats to ticks to domestic cats results in catastrophic infection that is often fatal. Infection typically occurs during the spring and fall\u2014seasons when ticks are most active.<\/p>\n

Clinical Signs.<\/strong>\u00a0Clinical findings in affected cats include:<\/p>\n