Love this info! Diagnosis
Diagnosis of T foetus infection is usually quite straightforward. The organism exists in the intestine as small, motile trophozoites, and these can be detected under the microscope. For optimum results, fresh faeces should be examined, and if any mucus has been passed with the faeces this is the most likely place to find the organisms. Two other diagnostic tests are available which are both more sensitive and specific for this organism. Firstly, the organism can be cultured from faecal samples using a system developed for diagnosis in cattle. The In Pouch tm TF' test (BioMed Diagnostics, Oregon , USA ) uses a liquid culture system in a sterile plastic pouch. The other test that can be used is PCR (polymerase chain reaction) a sophisticated test that can detect the presence of the genetic material of the organism. Entire article found here: (A good reference, IMO) http://www.fabcats.org/tritrichomonas.html Lora --- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Here's the info my vet gave to me when we discovered we had it here: Trichomonosis in cats According to Dr S. Marks of UC-Davis School of Veterinary Medicine: "Tritrichomonas foetus, the primary causative agent of bovine trichomoniasis, has recently been recognized as a protozoal [intestinal] pathogen in cats." One study showed a high prevalence in cat show and cattery animals. Often misdiagnosed as Giardia, T. foetus infected cats treated with an appropriate Giardia therapy do not respond. Clinical signs of Tritrichomonas foetus include chronic or re-occurring diarrhea. Often "the anus is red, swollen, and painful, and fecal incontinence is not uncommon. Most cats are usually bright, alert, and responsive, and in good body condition with a normal appetite." T. foetus can be found in cats not showing clinical signs. InPouchTF (Biomed Diagnostics, White City, Oregon)is a test developed to identify Tritrichomonas foetus in cows, but can be used in a veterinary hospital setting to test cats for the protozoa. This is the test we used to confirm Pharaoh's diagnosis. InPouch TF has shown a 90% rate of sensitivity to the protozoa, a six-fold increase over trying to diagnosis this protozoa via a microscopic examination of fecal material. Tritrichomonas foetus is not considered to be zoonotic (transmissible to people) but as it can affect cows and pigs, anyone with these animals and a cat with chronic diarrhea has cause for concern. At the time Dr. Marks wrote his presentation, no treatment options were available. By June of this summer (2005), after many drug trials had been unsuccessful, Ronidazole was showing promise in research trials. Once diagnosed with Tritrichomonas foetus, Ronidazole is the drug currently being tested for use in cats. This is an 'off-label' use of the drug and is not guaranteed to be a treatment. Dosing being used by researchers is 30-50mg/kg orally once every 12 hours for 14 days. However, research has not yet decided if this is the optimal dose. Ronidazole is produced by SIGMA Pharmaceuticals. It must be kept frozen. Currently it is a relatively reasonably priced drug - this may change in the future. It is important to know that recovered cats can remain infected. Periods of stress do seem to play a strong role in recurrence of clinical signs. The most sensitive test for Tritrichomonas foetus is a PCR of DNA extracted from feces with a 97%+ sensitivity to the protozoa. This test is only performed at the veterinary laboratory at North Carolina State University. A lima bean sized amount of feces must be placed in 5-10ml of rubbing alcohol for proper stabilization of the sample in preparation for testing. Sources "Update of Feline Gastrointestinal Neoplasia," S. L. Marks, BVSc., PhD, Diplomate ACVIM (Internal Medicine, Oncology), Diplomate ACVN, lecture notes, North American Veterinary Conference Postgraduate Institute 2005 - Advances in Feline Medicine, Orlando FL. Personal notes, P. J. Yankauskas, VMD, Hyde Park VT Personal consultation, P. J. Yankauskas, VMD, Hyde Park VT Their phone number, if you need to call for more info is 802-888-7911, and you can tell them that Jennifer O'Guin referred you to them about Trich diagnosis and treatments. Thye should be able to give you (or your vet) all the needed info. Jenn http://ucat.us http://ucat.us/domesticcatlinks.html Adopt a cat from UCAT rescue: http://ucat.us/adopt.html Adopt a FIV+ cat: http://ucat.us/AWrescue/FIV/ Adopt a FELV+ cat: http://ucat.us/FELVadopt.html "Saving one animal won't make a difference in the world, but it will make a world of difference for that one animal." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I collect KMR kitten formula labels for Bazil, a 3 yr old special needs cat who must live on a liquid diet for the rest of his life. Bazil's caretaker collects labels and sends them to KMR, where they add up until she earns a free can of formula! PLEASE save your KMR kitten formula labels for Bazil! If you use KMR, even just one can, please email me for the NEW address to send them to! __________________________________ Yahoo! Mail - PC Magazine Editors' Choice 2005 http://mail.yahoo.com
