Sunday, February 19, 2006
Toxoplasma gondii
Cat parasite 'is killling otters'
...Cat faeces carrying Toxoplasma parasites wash into US waterways and then into the sea where they can infect otters, causing brain disease.One more reason I can use, when I explain to the kitties why they're not allowed outside.
The parasite is familiar to medical researchers, as it can damage foetuses when expectant mothers become infected while changing cat litter...
..."But by keeping the cats indoors, we reduce the chance they're going to get infected by eating infected birds or rodents, and the chance they are going to shed their faeces outdoors."...
...Once the parasite reaches the sea, it may be concentrated in mussels, oysters and clams, a major source of food for some otters...
