Toxocara cati (1)

Question 1

What is the common name?

Answer 1

Roundworm

Question 2

What are the final hosts?

Answer 2

Cats

Question 3

What are the paratenic hosts?

Answer 3

Mice/Rodents

Question 4

Describe adults

Answer 4

7-12 cm

Arrowhead shaped

Question 5

Describe eggs

Answer 5

Thick shelled

Round

Colorless

85x75 micro m

Pitted

Question 6

Describe the life cycle

Answer 6

3 modes of infection

 - Per os
 - Transmammary 
 - Paratenic Host

Egg -> Egg with L2: 2-4 weeks

Question 7

What is the site of infection?

Answer 7

Small intestine

Question 8

Describe the Pathogenesis

Answer 8

Kittens not born infected

Less larval migrans

Pneumonia can occur

Cats do not develop same level of immunity

Infections more common in adult cats

Question 9

How do you diagnose?

Answer 9

Eggs in fecal flotation

Adults in necropsy, in feces/vomit

Question 10

How do you treat and prevent?

Answer 10

Management of environment

Use of Anthelmintics

Adults easily removed

Control should be in kittens

Question 11

What is important about Toxocara cati?

Answer 11

It is ZOONOTIC - rare, level of VLM lower