Raw Meat – Toxoplasmosis and Neosporosis in Dogs

Toxoplasmosis

Up until several years ago Neosporosis was misdiagnosed as Toxoplasma Gondii, which is caused by a protozoan that infects warm-blooded animals. The cause of infection is from ingesting raw or undercooked meat such as pork, beef and veal that contains Toxoplasma gondii. The excretion of oocysts in the stools of cats and the ingestion of spores by dogs are other potential sources of infection. Oocysts require 1-3 days under warm conditions and high humidity to produce spores. These infective spores can survive in the environment for months. Only cats excrete the oocysts in their stool. The dog therefore is not capable of infecting other dogs or humans in this way. The danger occurs when a pregnant woman without immunity is exposed to areas contaminated by cat faeces and becomes infected with Toxoplasma gondii. Pregnant women should avoid contact with faecal matter from cats.

The majority of Dogs with Toxoplasmosis experience no symptoms, however when symptoms do occur they can include fever, loss of appetite, cough and rapid breathing. Other symptoms can include weight loss, diarrhoea, enlarged lymph nodes and swelling of the abdomen. Very young puppies with toxoplasmosis may show signs of hepatitis, pneumonia and encephalitis. Toxoplasmosis can be treated with antibiotics.

Neosporosis

Neospora is a parasite that is ingested via infected fresh meat, after eating infected meat it only takes a couple of days for the parasite to attack the brain, then work its way down the spinal cord and infect all the major organs and mussels. Leaving the dog paralysed and blind. Several studies performed by universities have shown that from the first sign of symptoms, death or euthanasia is usually within 7 days. Other tests have shown that with medication it can leave the parasite dormant indefinitely, but if paralysis has set in, then there would be no improvement in the damage to the dogs muscle reactions, due to brain damage. The Neospora parasite is ingested from fresh infected meat, freezing or cooking the meat will kill the spores. Neospora cannot use humans as a host so if ingested the stomach will kill the spores. That is why the human food chain has never alerted the public, it only affects, cattle, pigs, sheep, goats and dogs. Apparently only one animal is inspected from each heard to be slaughtered, but that’s in this country. A lot of meat now comes from other countries. I don’t wont to scare anyone into not feeding raw meat to their dogs, just make sure you freeze it for at least 24 hrs before feeding it to your dog.

Please Note:

This article is provided as a source of information only. It is not intended as a substitute for veterinarian advice or care.

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