This blog provides scientific facts, information and research regarding the growing spread of toxoplasmosis in our communities - and to our children, particularly in unprotected play areas. Over one third of the world's population is infected, and more than 60 million Americans, The US CDC states this "neglected parasite" is the second leading killer of food borne diseases.
Brian Monk is a veterinarian, birder, photographer, and professional orchid grower and lecturer. He received his DVM from Virginia Tech in 1997 and currently resides in Ft. Lauderdale, Floirida, with his wife Mary-Margaret and his 5 rescued cats.
Let me make myself perfectly clear: I love cats. I am a veterinarian, quite a few of my patients are cats, and I count five of them as my pets. I believe that cats have an inherent value to us, both as living things and as companions. I also love birds, and have been watching them before I was old enough to know what they were. Without question, birds also have inherent value, both to our planet and our hobby. My position as both a birder and a veterinarian lends me a unique perspective about the current controversy surrounding feral cats, and the various solutions offered up to address this issue.
A recent study has determined that 1.4-3.7 billion birds are killed by feral cats per year, and its publication has pitted wildlife conservation groups against feline advocacy groups. The controversy centers around the most important question, “What is the solution to this problem of cat overpopulation?” The only thing that these two groups seem to agree on is that feral cat overpopulation exists.
Feral cats lead short and brutal lives. Kittens suffer a 50-75% mortality rate. Disease is prevalent in feral cat populations, as expected. They are plagued with parasitism by various worms, arthropods, and protozoa; viral diseases like Feline Leukemia, Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, Herpes, Distemper, and Rabies; bacterial infections such as Toxoplasmosis, and Haemobartonellosis. Traumatic injury is common. Feral cats suffer....
Doctor's Professional Comprehensive Conclusions
This problem of feral cats is a difficult one. Although it is only a part of the greater question of avian conservation, it is obviously an important part. Further, it seems to be a part where real progress could be made, with benefits that are not so vague as biodiversity for biodiversity’s sake.
Improving feline health in general, while keeping our precious wildlife safe, is a noble goal, that we can only approach ignobly. Feral cats exist because of man’s ego and carelessness. But TNR does not adequately address the issue. It does not ease feline suffering or eliminate feline predation on our wildlife to a point that is acceptable, to me as a veterinarian and a conservationist, or to anyone else who considers the facts.
As difficult as it may be, the elimination of feral cats via Trap and Euthanasia is the only truly viable solution.
Dónde vamos? "Social Media" - Nueva herramienta de la democracia - "Con la Gente"
Buenas tardes Learned amigos, seguidores, simpatizantes y colegas: Muchos amigos, periodistas y expertos de todo el mundo nos han estado preguntando últimamente dónde vamos con este caso o historia? Bueno, "se trata de un camino menos transitado" - se nos conoce a menudo remarcar; a continuación, ofrecemos estas ideas de uno de nuestros futuros comentarios, programado para ser lanzado para la publicación mundial en un futuro próximo. Y lo que ves ... es hacer toda la diferencia
@johntoryTO
Toronto Servicios de Animales Saga PARTE 1 "Nosotros el Pueblo - Con la Gente"
Medios de Comunicación Social, en primer lugar, ofrece muchas nuevas maneras de poner el proceso democrático de nuevo en las manos del pueblo, todos los días. Se puede utilizar para asegurar que la democracia no es sólo un evento elección de un día. Uno en el que "Nosotros, el pueblo" otorga el privilegio, elegidos y sus funcionarios a sueldo, las responsabilidades para las acciones y decisiones cotidianas de nuestro gobierno. Con estas nuevas herramientas, que ahora ya no tenemos que confiar únicamente en uno o en plataformas de medios convencionales "día de las elecciones", que controlan y filtran nuestras voces, con los intereses creados y especiales de su propia agenda. Hace mucho tiempo, los antepasados de la democracia hablaron de las preposiciones críticas a forjar las bases de sus creencias - y que todos los gobiernos democráticos "deben actuar por, para y de la gente." Una preposición desapareció; Sin embargo, a partir de estos pilares - "CON". Y como resultado de su ausencia, las necesidades de la gran mayoría se han diluido y la rendición de cuentas a las personas a punto de perder, en el tiempo que siguió. Sin embargo, hoy en día, con las nuevas facultades que recaen en las herramientas de los dispositivos de medios sociales "We the People", de los poderes de esperanza, voluntariosos para restaurar la rendición de cuentas y la apertura a todos los gobiernos, en todas partes - y en todos sus niveles, y varias formas. Por ahora, más que nunca, estos funcionarios electos o no, descubrirán: "No hay ningún lugar para correr No hay dónde esconderse más..!" Lo más significativo es también de aquí en adelante en, hay una nueva preposición que forjar y trabajar lado a lado con sus viejos estadistas y Kinfolks muy bien considerados - "de, por y para" - y al hacerlo, promete reformar profundamente la madurez, la responsabilidad y la eficacia diaria de todas las democracias de todo el mundo - "CON". Siga estos artículos Toronto Casos Servicios para Animales destacados como operamos para demostrar y ejemplificar cómo las herramientas de medios sociales de la democracia "con el pueblo" de hoy pueden llevar a diario y la responsabilidad permanente de los gobiernos democráticos, aquí y en el extranjero. Porque en el análisis final, es "We the People" que determina y decide la estructura constitucional de los gobiernos, las leyes, los procesos y los sistemas de justicia, y luego ganga para defender incondicionalmente, respetar y trabajar dentro de sus administraciones en curso. Pero que también, en estas telas sagradas - diseños, ofertas y demandas de un contrato social categórica que requiere transparencia gubernamental completa y absoluta y la rendición de cuentas para y con la gente - todo el tiempo!
"Para "Nosotros, el pueblo", sin cualificación de cualquier tipo, establecer las reglas básicas que requieren los funcionarios elegidos o contratados, - "que tienen sólo una momentánea" honor y un privilegio "otorgado y les confirió, por el pueblo, para gobernar y actuar en su nombre "- que con sensatez y abiertamente representar, descarga y aplicar nuestros derechos e intereses colectivos inalienables. Por otra parte, sólo pueden hacerlo, en un marco que encarna profundamente nuestras verdades democráticas evidentes probados por el tiempo y las preposiciones que definen ... "De, por, para y con la gente"
Así que, para nuestros miles de amigos, simpatizantes, seguidores y periodistas en todo el mundo, nos dicen - que estad atentos y leer más, como exponemos y actuamos para traer la apertura, la responsabilidad y la transparencia de las prácticas de gobierno que están contaminados por cualquier forma o indirecta de fraude, incompetencia o corrupción. O lo que es a menudo simplemente acuñó, por muchos, como - "¡Sólo Mantenerlos Honest"
Para despliega como aplicada Social Media, más que nunca, estos funcionarios elegidos o no, simplemente se descubre:
Where Are We Heading? "Social Media" - Democracy's New Tool - "With the People"
Good Afternoon Learned Friends, Followers,Supporters and Colleagues:
Many folks, journalists and pundits around the world have been asking us lately where are we going with this case or story? Well, "it is a road less travelled" - we are known to often remark; then we provide these insights from one of our future commentaries, scheduled to be released for global publication in the near future .
And that you see... is making all the difference'
@johntoryTO
Toronto Animal Services Saga
PART 1
"We the People - With the People"
Social Media, firstly, offers many new ways to put the democratic process back into the hands of the people, everyday. It can be used to ensure that democracy is just not a one day election event. One where "We the People" bestows the privilege to, elected and their hired officials, the responsibilities for our government's daily actions and decisions. With these new tools, we now no longer need to rely solely on either "Election Day" or mainstream media platforms, who control and filter our voices, with the vested and special interests of their own agenda.
Long ago, democracy's forebears spoke of the critical prepositions known to forge the cornerstones of its beliefs - and that all democratic governments "should act by, for and of the people." One preposition went missing; however, from these cornerstones -"WITH." And as a result of its absence, the needs of the vast majority have been diluted and the accountability to the people nearly lost, over the ensuing time.
Yet today, with the new powers that rest in the tools of Social Media devices "We the People" have the hopeful, willful powers to restore accountability and openness to all governments, everywhere - and at all its levels, and various forms . For now, more than ever before, these officials elected or otherwise, will discover: "There is nowhere to run. There is no where to hide. Anymore!"
Most significantly, also from hereon in, there is a new preposition that will forge and work side-by-side with its elder statesmen and highly-regarded kinfolks - "Of, By and For" - and in so doing, promises to profoundly reshape the maturity, accountability and daily efficacy of all democracies everywhere - "WITH" .
Follow these featured Toronto Animal Services Case articles as we operate to show and exemplify how today's Social Media tools of "With the People" democracy can bring daily and ongoing accountability to democratic governments, here and abroad. For in the end analysis, it is "We the People" who determines and decides the constitutional fabric of governments, its laws, processes and justice systems, and then bargain to unconditionally defend, abide by and work within its on-going administrations. But who also, under these sacred fabrics - designs, bargains and demands a categorical social contract that requires complete and absolute government transparency and accountability to and with the people - all of the time!
For "We the People," without qualifications of any sort, set the ground rules requiring those elected or hired officials, - "who have only a momentary "honour and privilege" granted and bestowed upon them, by the people, to govern and act on their behalf" - to sensibly and openly represent, discharge and implement our inalienable collective rights and interests. Moreover, they can only to do so, under a framework that deeply embodies our time-tested, self-evident democratic truths and defining prepositions...
"Of, By, For and With the People"
So, to our thousands of friends, supporters, followers and journalists world wide, we say - stay tuned and read more, as we expose and act to bring openness, accountability and transparency to those government practices that are tainted by any form or hint of fraudulence, incompetence or corruption. Or what is often simply coined, by many, as - "Just Keeping Them Honest!"
For as applied Social Media unfolds, more than ever before, these officials elected or otherwise, will simply discover:
SYNONYM OR CROSS REFERENCE: Toxoplasmosis, congenital toxoplasmosis, toxoplasma infection Footnote1Footnote2.
CHARACTERISTICS: Toxoplasma gondii belong to the phylum Apicomplexa and family Sarcocystidae. They are obligate intracellular parasitic protozoa Footnote3. Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite of birds and mammals. Felines are the only definitive host and the only animals that pass infective oocysts in their feces. Warm-blooded animals, including humans, are intermediate hosts that harbour tissue cysts in their bodies. Three major infectious stages and major morphological forms occur: oocyst-containing two sporocysts and four sporozoites each, quickly-multiplying tachyzoites, and slow-growing bradyzoites contained in persistent tissue cysts Footnote3. Infection is most often initiated through the ingestion of oocysts containing sporozoites or cysts containing bradyzoites in contaminated food or water. Following ingestion, the sporozoites or bradyzoites invade the intestinal epithelium and differentiate to tachyzoites, which disseminate and replicate within the new host. In feline infections, T.gondii sexual reproduction is enteroepithelial and asexual reproduction is extraintestinal. Intermediate hosts only experience extraintestinal infection Footnote4. Generally, oocysts are spherical and measure 10x12 µm, sporozoites measure 2x6 µm, tachyzoites are crescent-shaped and 2x6 µm, tissue cysts are spheroid and have a diameter of 5 µm - 70 µm, bradyzoites measure 7x1.5 µm Footnote4Footnote5.
SECTION II - HAZARD IDENTIFICATION
PATHOGENICITY/TOXICITY: Toxoplasma gondii infection is usually non-pathogenic in immunocompetent adults. The major pathogenic factor is proliferation of tachyzoites, destroying host cells faster than they can regenerate. In acute infection, mild symptoms can arise, including fever, rash, headache, lymphadenopathy, organomegaly (liver and/or spleen), weight loss, weakness, pneumonia, and myalgia Footnote6. More severe symptoms are rare and mostly affect immunocompromised patients, although they can also develop in immunocompetent individuals. These include retinochoroiditis, and severe encephalitis Footnote6. Congenital infection can result in abortion or stillbirth, and live births may demonstrate the congenital toxoplasmosis syndrome - mental retardation, malformation, retinochoroiditis, strabismus, nystagmus, microphthalmia, and cataracts Footnote6Footnote7. Severity of transplacental infection is inversely proportional to gestational age, but the rate of vertical transmission is more frequent as the pregnancy progresses Footnote7. Persisting tissue cysts in a victim’s brain may cause psychosis Footnote8. Ocular toxoplasmosis is responsible for 30% – 60% of retinochoroiditis cases Footnote6.
Canadians should be terribly concerned as their government research (above) in this area falls way short of the scientific studies, reports, policies and conclusions by international authorities. Consider the Official US - Centre Disease Control - concludes that toxoplasmosis is the second leading cause of foodborne deaths, and we can only isolate and report ONE???
That makes no sense whatsoever as the comparative gap between US and Canadian findings is just too large. Someone must be wrong, and given the other international research, the weight of evidence clearly favours the American conclusions. Begging the next question: Why are we so far behind in this area?
Australian Federal Government Meanwhile Spending $1 Billion To Eradicate Feral Cats
As feral cats are the primary source of the parasite - toxoplasma gondii that creates the the "toxoplasmosis disease" in warm blooded animals, Australia has put this issue on the front burner with near drastic measures to clean up this health and economic problem in their country. Again this suggests that the Canadian research and reports leave much to be desired in light of growing international awareness and stiff actions.
Moreover, the hype and crazy concerns are now being raised in more "unreliable secondary media sources", that are unfettered and uncensored zanny Americans (Listen to the Radio Cast below) by vested or special interests. Normally we would take such overly dramatic discussions in earnest, but unfortunately there is a growing body of scientific evidence that suggests that even in its latent form this parasite is actually eating away at our neurological connectors and structure.
Whatever it is up to - it simply can't be good for the hosts, and in fact could be the doomsday bug many have predicted in the past. A very scary nightmare coming true...
Virus In Imported Meat Might Alter Nation’s Behavior, Warns PM
Says Toxoplasma Infection 'Might Be Changing The Behavior Of Whole Nations'
Published August 15, 2014
According to Prime Minister Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson, a virus that may change people’s behavioral patterns is common among most of the world’s populations, except Iceland, Norway, and, ‘remarkably’, the UK. Sigmundur Davíð admits that this does indeed sound like science fiction, adding ‘but …’, seemingly to imply that reality may prove stranger than fiction. He indicated that this should be kept in mind when shaping agricultural policy, emphasizing as ‘extremely important’ that ‘we remain free of all sorts of infections which are, unfortunately, all to common in very many places’.
‘Might Be Changing The Behavior Of Whole Nations’
‘Because this is such an interesting topic, maybe I will get one more minute to cover it, because it is extremely important that we, precisely, protect the wholesomeness of Icelandic products, that we don’t use additives, steroids and hormones and such in the production of Icelandic meat,’ Sigmundur Davíð pleaded in a live interview on radio-station Bylgjan on Thursday. Questions in the interview covered NATO, interest-rate policies and finally, the topic at hand: agriculture and meat-imports. Sigmundur Davíð spoke the economic incentives to keep tolling foreign agricultural products. He spoke of the opportunities ahead, when food prices are predicted to rise. Finally he pleaded, as quoted above, for an extra minute on air, to say a few words of a different nature.
Así que realmente NOTADO Todo el mundo es NUTS VA?
Adivina qué?
Virus En importado carne podría alterar el comportamiento de la Nación, Advierte PM
Dice la infección por Toxoplasma 'podría estar cambiando el comportamiento de naciones enteras
Publicado 15 de agosto 2014
Según el primer ministro Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson, un virus que puede cambiar los patrones de comportamiento de las personas es común entre la mayoría de las poblaciones del mundo, a excepción de Islandia, Noruega y, 'notablemente', el Reino Unido. Sigmundur Davíð admite que este hecho hace sonar a ciencia ficción, añadiendo 'pero ...', aparentemente dar a entender que la realidad puede resultar extraña que la ficción. Indicó que esto se debe tener en cuenta a la hora dar forma a la política agrícola, destacando como "extremadamente importante" que "seguimos siendo libres de todo tipo de infecciones que son, por desgracia, todo a muy común en muchos lugares".
'Podría estar cambiando el comportamiento de naciones enteras "
"Debido a que este es un tema tan interesante, tal vez voy a llegar un minuto más para cubrirlo, porque es muy importante que nosotros, precisamente, proteger la salubridad de los productos islandeses, que no utilizamos aditivos, esteroides y hormonas y tal en la producción de carne de Islandia, 'Sigmundur Davíð declaró en una entrevista en vivo en la radio-estación Bylgjan el jueves. Las preguntas de la entrevista cubiertos OTAN, políticas de tipo de interés y, por último, el tema que nos ocupa: la agricultura y la carne de las importaciones. Sigmundur David habló de los incentivos económicos para mantener tañendo productos agrícolas extranjeros. Habló de las oportunidades por delante, cuando los precios de los alimentos se prevé que aumente. Finalmente se declaró, citado anteriormente, por un minuto más en el aire, para decir unas palabras de una naturaleza diferente. Leer y ver más ..
VÍCTIMAS INVISIBLES Toxoplasmosis
"Caramba caramba General, el Presidente dijo que pedir el almuerzo ... no @ # $% ^ & * LANZAMIENTO!"
PIP COURTNEY, PRESENTER: Australia's native wildlife is disappearing at an alarming rate and the feral cat is the chief culprit.
But they're now also affecting sheep farmers in Tasmania. The cats are carrying diseases which are being passed on to flocks, with disastrous consequences.
And as Ginny Stein reports, the Federal Government has announced a 10-year plan to effectively eradicate feral cats.
GINNY STEIN, REPORTER: Northern Tasmania - and Bruce Young has company. A trap was set last night and a deadly animal has been caught. This is it.
KEVIN KNOWLES: It's in good condition, no.
BRUCE YOUNG, SHEEP FARMER: Yes, looks like.
KEVIN KNOWLES: Healthy cat.
GINNY STEIN: This killer, one of an estimated 20 million currently roaming across Australia, is now on death row.
BRUCE YOUNG: I don't want to get bitten or scratched. While this caged feline may look like your average domestic cat, it's certainly not.
KEVIN KNOWLES, UPPER MEANDER LANDCARE GROUP: It's quiet now. It's just the aggression from the cat. Somebody's house cat will just sit in the trap quietly, wants to be let out. These things explode. READ Or Watch MORE
The evil horror of 106 Beverley St. the scary famous tourist site is now one of the most popular "weird gifts" selling like snowballs in hell this Christmas Season ! A great stocking stuffer and sure to be a talked-about-collectors piece for many years ahead. Get your own valuable once-in-a-lifetime treasure while quantities last.
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Comes with the 6 feral cats allowed by Health-Wise Toronto Municipal Code
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El horror del mal de 106 Beverley St. el sitio turístico famoso miedo es ahora uno de los más populares "regalos raros" que venden como bolas de nieve en el infierno esta temporada de Navidad! Una gran embutidora de la media, y seguro que será una pieza sobre hablado recaudadores durante muchos años por venir. Consiga su propio valioso tesoro una vez-en-la-vida hasta agotar existencias.
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Toda la diversión de tener la verdadera WARD 20 Crazy Cat Lady sin toxoplasmosis y otras enfermedades
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"Babies born to infected women, and people with weakened immune systems, are at greatest risk for severe symptoms of toxoplasmosis."
For some people, toxoplasmosis is a serious condition.
At its worst, toxoplasmosis can cause damage to the brain, eyes or other organs, according to the CDC. Symptoms can include flu-like swollen glands, muscle aches and pains, and some vision problems.
University of Montana Microbiology Professor Bill Granath tells KPAX-TV that some studies show the parasite can also cause personality changes that correlate with mental health issues such as schizophrenia, autism and Alzheimer’s disease, and that some studies have also found infected women were more prone to suicide.
Various studies also correlate toxoplasmosis with suicide in veterinarians – and while nothing says definitively that the phenomenon is caused by the parasite – some believe there is a link,” the KPAX report said.
Cats are where Toxoplasma multiplies. Most people are also unaware when their cat gets infected with Toxoplasma.
Toxoplasma is spread in the feces of a cat infected with it, but cats rarely have symptoms of infection. Cats get it by eating infected rodents, which reportedly lose their fear of cats as a side-effect of their own Toxoplasma infection. When the rodents approach the cat, they are eaten and thus infect the cat.
The CDC recommends cat owners change their litter box daily, since Toxoplasma does not become infectious until 1 to 5 days after it is shed in a cat’s feces; avoid handling or adopting stray cats; keep cats indoors; keep outdoor sandboxes covered and avoid feeding raw or undercooked meats to cats.
Toxoplasma is also found in uncooked and undercooked meat, poultry and shellfish. It can be spread by eating those foods, and by contact with utensils used to handle and prepare them.
Your assistance is much appreciated, and "Please Tweet" - #ToxoTO - to register your support. Let's get make our sandlots and playgrounds safe for our children. Thanks.