Humans, dogs and other mammals usually become infected through meat, raw milk from infected goats, and accidental ingestion of cat s fecal material from hands or on food. Further signs may occur depending on whether the infection is acute or chronic, and where T. gondii is found in the body. Kittens may be born stillborn or ill. In animals, like people, disease is more common in those with suppressed immune systems. In dogs, distemper may cause immunodeficiency and allow T. gondii to take hold.
Toxoplasmosis can be a significant cause of abortion in sheep.
Measurement of antibodies to T. gondii in the blood is the best method to diagnose toxoplasmosis. Sometimes the oocysts can be found in the feces but they look so similar to some other parasites that this is not a reliable method of diagnosis. An antibiotic called clindamycin is the treatment of choice for toxoplasmosis. Recovery is less likely in animals that are young or have severe suppression of their immune systems. Cockroaches and flies may serve as transport hosts for T. gondii , carrying cat s fecal material on their bodies.