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What is Tritrichomonas foetus?
Tritrichomonas foetus is a recently recognized parasite in the feline world. It is a single-celled protozoan that likes the warm, moist conditions inside the feline colon (large intestine). T. foetus causes chronic diarrhea in cats. Testing for this parasite is still not routine at most veterinary clinics, so it is often missed.
Where did T. foetus come from?
Tritrichomonas foetus is well known as a venereal infection of bovines (cattle). It was first reported in cats in 1996, where it was found in the intestine and was associated with diarrhea. There is no evidence that feline T. foetus came from cattle; in fact, veterinarians do not know how T. foetus made its way into the feline population.
How common is T. foetus infection?
T. foetus is common in purebred and shelter cats, with no particular breed being over represented. No breed of cat is known to be immune to T. foetus. Based on a survey of cats at an international cat show, approximately one third of the purebred feline population may be infected with T. foetus. Any age cat can become infected with T. foetus, but it is most commonly seen in cats 2 years of age or younger.
What are the symptoms of T. foetus infection?
The most common symptom is diarrhea, characterized by cow pie-like stools that are often gassy and malodorous. Sometimes there can be mucus or fresh blood in the stool or feces can dribble from the anus. Some infected cats do not show any signs.
How do cats get T. foetus?
The primary infection pathway is sharing a litter box where a well-timed use by two cats can transfer the parasite from the feces of one cat to the paws of another where they later become ingested during grooming. T. foetus can live for several days in a wet stool. Mutual grooming may also transfer the parasite.
How will T. foetus affect the health of my cat?
Infected cats usually do not have their overall health adversely affected and they maintain their normal body and coat condition. As a matter of fact, if left untreated, approximately ninety percent of infected cats will cure by themselves within two years. However, it is uncomfortable and distressing for the cat to have chronic diarrhea and the cat will remain a source of infection for others.
Can T. foetus infect people?
In light of the intimate association between infected cats and their human companions, the potential for zoonotic transmission should be considered. Only a single case of human infection with T. foetus appears in the literature. The infection was present in the central nervous system of a man who was immunosuppressed and had undergone a peripheral blood stem cell transplantation.
How is T. foetus diagnosed?
Although T. foetus is sometimes diagnosed by seeing it during a direct fecal exam, in most cases a fecal culture or PCR test must be run to diagnose the parasite definitively. T. foetus looks similar to Giardia when viewed under a microscope. Therefore, its misdiagnosis as Giardia is common.
Is there any treatment for feline T. foetus infection?
Yes. Ronidazole has been shown to be an effective treatment.
Is Ronidazole safe?
Toxicity data have not been published for this drug. However, neurotoxicity has resulted in some cats treated with Ronidazole. Signs of toxicity include lethargy, inappetence, ataxia (drunken-like behavior), or seizures. These generally resolve if the drug is withdrawn immediately, but can last 1-2 weeks.
What should I do if my cat shows signs of toxicity while receiving Ronidazole?
Stop the drug immediately and contact your veterinarian.
How soon after treatment with Ronidazole can I expect the diarrhea to resolve?
It is typical for cats with T. foetus infection to show some improvement in the diarrhea during the course of treatment. If diarrhea persists for greater than 14-days after treatment, the cat should be re-tested for T. foetus. If test results are negative for T. foetus, consider other causes of diarrhea including concurrent infection, dietary intolerances, etc.
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