Toxoplasma generally does not make pigs ill. The parasite can persist in the edible tissues of pigs and other food animals for years, perhaps for life. The parasite has been found in virtually all body muscles of pigs. Clinical Toxoplasmosis in Pigs Most T. gondii infections in swine are subclinical, but toxoplasmosis can cause clinical signs in pits of all ages. Clinical toxoplasmosis has been reported most often in nursing pigs.
Labored respiration is the most common clinical sign of toxoplasmosis.
Other clinical signs include fever, general weakness, diarrhea, nervous signs and rarely, loss of vision. Detection of antibodies to T. gondii by a blood test can aid diagnosis. Dead piglets should be submitted to diagnostic laboratories for necropsy and histologic evaluation. Toxoplasma can cause mummified fetuses and stillborn piglets. A blood test for T. gondii antibodies in body fluids of the fetus can detect toxoplasmosis.