The cat is host to many parasites, but the NAVLE groups them by what they do. Roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, Giardia and coccidia live in the gut and are covered in the feline GI endoparasitism guide. This guide covers the internal parasites whose effects reach beyond the gut: Toxoplasma gondii, the lungworm Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, and heartworm.
Key facts
Parasites (internal, multisystemic) at a glance- Species and system: cat; multisystemic (nervous, ocular, respiratory, cardiopulmonary).
- Toxoplasma gondii: felids are the only definitive host. Cats usually shed oocysts only once, from about 3 days after infection for up to about 20 days.
- Toxoplasma signs: most cats are subclinical; kittens and immunocompromised cats may develop fever, diarrhea, cough, dyspnea, icterus, seizures or sudden death.
- Lungworm: A. abstrusus is acquired by eating a paratenic host (bird, rodent) that ate an infected slug or snail; signs are cough and dyspnea.
- Heartworm: mosquito-borne; cats are atypical hosts. See the heartworm guide.
- Zoonotic: toxoplasmosis is zoonotic, with congenital risk if a woman is infected during pregnancy.
What's inside
13 sections in the full guide- Key facts
- How the NAVLE tests this
- Cause and pathophysiology
- Clinical signs
- Diagnosis
- Differential diagnoses
- Treatment and management
- Practical points for each parasite
- Prevention, control and public health
- Prognosis
- Quick review
- Test yourself
- References
The full guide also has 4 tables, 1 figure, 3 self-test questions and 4 references, available to NAVLE members.
Read the full study guide
The full guide is part of every NAVLE plan, with diagnosis and treatment tables, figures, a quick review and self-test questions. Start a free trial to try the question bank, or log in if you are already a member.