Do our pet CATS POSE a hidden threat?

There is now a great deal of love and affection for companion animals, particularly dogs, cats, rabbits, pigeons, and parrots, in Kashmir, where the idea of animal husbandry was formerly restricted to commercially viable animals that produced milk, meat, and eggs. In recent decades, there has been a surge in interest in owning and raising pets, particularly among children and young people. As is well known, everyone loves dogs, especially kids, and they grow to be sensitive to the emotions, behaviors, and people around them. Pets, particularly dogs and cats, can soothe loneliness, lower stress, anxiety, and depression, promote play and exercise, and even improve cardiovascular health. Additionally, cats can be hairy, sleek, graceful, mischievous, loving, and inquisitive.

Without a doubt pets can be a lifesaver for people suffering from sorrow and sadness. They can provide you with a sense of direction and a reason to get out of bed when you’re feeling especially gloomy or anxious. However, it’s vital to manage them because they carry a lot of infectious agents and if not treated promptly and kept clean, could spread to their owners. For their cat to live a healthy and happy life, owners must be aware of their needs and make sure they are giving them the right care and protection. Recent controversy about the link between cat ownership and abortion has gone viral on social media, and individuals, especially female cat owners, are becoming increasingly afraid and concerned for their health and well-being. The term “abortion,” associated with cats, has created anxiety that must be appropriately addressed.

An abortion occurs when a fetus is expelled via the birth canal before it has reached 20 to 22 weeks (154 days) of gestation, beginning on the first day of the last menstrual period (HPHT), or before it weighs 500 grams. According to World Health Organization (WHO) estimates, abortion is responsible for 15–50% of maternal deaths worldwide, making it a problem that continues to deserve particular attention. During pregnancy, infection is one of the risk factors for abortion. Viruses, bacteria, and other infectious agents can cause infections in pregnant women. Syphilis, pelvic inflammation, and TORCH (Toxoplasmosis, Other agents, Rubella, Cytomegalovirus, and Herpex simplex) are among the infection types

in pregnant women that are linked to abortion. The fetus may suffer from this illness and potentially die as a result of it crossing the placenta.

Toxoplasma gondii, a tiny parasite, is the cause of toxoplasmosis. It is classified ninth out of the 15 most frequent disorders during pregnancy and is one of the TORCH infections that might affect pregnant women. However, toxoplasmosis symptoms can be absent in some people or they can mimic those of other infectious disorders.

How are people infected with Toxoplasma?

• There are various ways that people can contract toxoplasmosis: Consuming food, drinking water, or inadvertently ingesting soil tainted by defecated cats.
• Consuming undercooked or raw meat from animals infected with Toxoplasma, particularly pigs, lambs or wild game.
• Directly from a pregnant woman to her fetus if the mother has Toxoplasma either before or during pregnancy.

What are the symptoms of toxoplasmosis?

In people with strong immune systems the majority of Toxoplasma infections are unknown and show no symptoms. But when sickness does strike, it’s usually not severe. Some people may experience symptoms similar to the “flu,” such as enlarged lymph nodes or persistent muscle aches and pains that persist for weeks or longer. Eye illness happens infrequently.

Individuals with weakened immune systems:

Severe symptoms may be experienced by those with compromised immune systems. Fever, disorientation, and headaches are the most typical symptoms of HIV infection. Additional symptoms include nausea or vomiting, convulsions, and impaired coordination.

Infants infected before birth:

Most newborns with prenatal Toxoplasma infections don’t exhibit any symptoms. But a lot of people are likely to experience symptoms later in life including convulsions, mental impairment, and eyesight loss.

How can I protect myself from toxoplasmosis?

• Change cat litter boxes daily. Toxoplasma takes more than one day to become infectious. If you are pregnant or have a weakened immune system, ask someone else to change the litter box. If this is not possible, wear disposable gloves and wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water afterwards.
• To prevent cats from urinating in outdoor sandboxes, cover them when not in use.
• Steer clear of adopting stray cats, particularly kittens. Toxoplasma is more likely to be released in the feces of younger cats.
• Avoid eating meat that is undercooked. Cook ground beef and wild game to at least 160°F (71o C), and entire slices of meat to at least 145°F (63° C) with a 3-minute

break.

• Clean any kitchenware that has come into touch with raw meat, including cutting

boards and knives.

• It’s crucial to discuss with your healthcare provider the possibility of obtaining a blood test to detect Toxoplasma infection if you have a compromised immune system.

How can I keep my cat safe from toxoplasmosis?

You may be protected from toxoplasmosis by keeping your cat safe.

• Feed your cat canned or commercial dry food.
• Since raw meat might spread Toxoplasma, avoid feeding it to cats.
• To prevent infection from consuming tiny animals, keep domestic cats indoors.
• Follow proper deworming and maintain hygiene.
• Consult your Vet whenever you notice signs of illness in your pet.

Do I have to get rid of my cat?

No, you do not have to give up your cat. Owning a cat does not mean you will be infected with the parasite. It is unlikely that you would be exposed to the parasite by touching an infected cat because cats usually do not carry the parasite on their fur. In addition, cats kept indoors (that do not hunt prey or are not fed raw meat) are not likely to be infected with Toxoplasma. But, if you are pregnant, planning on becoming pregnant, or have a weakened immune system, it is important to protect yourself from infection.

Does toxoplasmosis have a treatment?

Yes. The toxoplasmosis can be treated. Mild symptoms usually fade away on their own in a few weeks to months in a healthy person, so no treatment is necessary. A person who is otherwise healthy but has toxoplasmosis-related eye problems may be advised to receive treatment. Pregnant women who contract the disease can receive treatment that could shield the fetus against toxoplasmosis. Pregnancy and the postpartum period should be properly monitored for both mother and child.

How infection actually happens?

As was previously established, cats are the parasite’s sole host, producing non- sporulating Toxoplasma gondii oocyst stages that manifest in their feces. One to five days after the parasite is transferred in the cat’s feces, it becomes contagious. The parasite can contaminate soil, water, fruits, vegetables, sandboxes, grass where animals graze for food, litter boxes, and any other area where an infected cat may have defecated. It can remain in the environment for several months. Domestic cats can live for months or even years in the environment and release millions of oocysts into the soil. Once infectious, oocysts sporulate and develop in the environment, such as soil, water, or plant matter. They are subsequently consumed by rats or birds, who act as intermediate hosts, until they mature into cysts. Humans can contract the disease by coming into contact with cat feces that contain Toxoplasma gondii in the oocyst stage. At this stage, the parasite will reside in the brain, eyes, heart muscle, and skeletal muscle tissue. If a pregnant woman contracts it, it can then pass through the placenta.

As a veterinarian and an animal lover a quote by Lloyd Alexander crosses my mind:

“Perhaps one reason we are fascinated by cats is because such a small animal can contain so much independence, dignity, and freedom of spirit. Unlike the dog, the cat’s personality is never bet on a human’s. He demands acceptance on his own terms.”

Dr. Iyman Binti Fayaz Veterinary Officer, CCP- ICMR, New-Delhi