Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
What to know about Tritrichomonas foetus diarrhea in cats
By Bastos, Bethânia Ferreira et al.·Published in Revista brasileira de parasitologia veterinaria = Brazilian journal of veterinary parasitology : Orgao Oficial do Colegio Brasileiro de Parasitologia Veterinaria·2019·Departamento de Clí·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: What is known about Tritrichomonas foetus infection in cats?
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A cat with chronic diarrhea was found to have a parasite called Tritrichomonas foetus, which can cause ongoing digestive issues that often don't respond to standard medications. This infection leads to symptoms like diarrhea with mucus and blood, and it can be tricky to diagnose since it can be confused with other parasites. While some cats may eventually stop having diarrhea on their own, they can still carry the parasite and spread it. Treatment options are available, and it's important for pet owners to work with their veterinarian to manage this condition effectively.
People also search for: cat chronic diarrhea treatment · Tritrichomonas foetus in cats · cat diarrhea with blood · feline trichomonosis symptoms
Abstract
Tritrichomonas foetus is a parasite that has been definitively identified as an agent of trichomonosis, a disease characterized by chronic diarrhea. T. foetus colonizes portions of the feline large intestine, and manifests as chronic and recurrent diarrhea with mucus and fresh blood, which is often unresponsive to common drugs. Diagnosis of a trichomonad infection is made by either the demonstration of the trophozoite on a direct fecal smear, fecal culture and subsequent microscopic examination of the parasite, or extraction of DNA in feces and amplification by the use of molecular tools. T. foetus is commonly misidentified as other flagellate protozoa such as Giardia duodenalis and Pentatrichomonas hominis. Without proper treatment, the diarrhea may resolve spontaneously in months to years, but cats can remain carriers of the parasite. This paper intends to serve as a source of information for investigators and veterinarians, reviewing the most important aspects of feline trichomonosis, such as trichomonad history, biology, clinical manifestations, pathogenesis, world distribution, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30892464/