Cat parasite Toxoplasma gondii threatens dog eyesight in new study

Study examines five infected dogs

Veterinary staff from the Koret School of Veterinary Medicine examined medical files for five canines receiving care at the Hebrew University Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Rehovot. All subjects showed eye abnormalities alongside positive blood tests for antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii. Three cases demonstrated a fourfold increase in antibody levels, indicating recent or active infection. The severity ranged from mild inflammation to retinal detachment and irreversible blindness.

One dog lost an eye

In one severe case involving a six-year-old dog, the animal developed irreversible blindness and glaucoma before surgeons removed the affected eye. Another dog regained vision after treatment despite lasting retinal changes. An eight-year-old weimaraner displayed unusual eyelid inflammation known as blepharitis following initial ocular issues. This particular result might indicate the initial documented link connecting serious blepharitis with suspected ocular toxoplasmosis in canines.

Treatment shows mixed results

All five dogs initially improved after receiving systemic clindamycin therapy alongside treatments to control ocular inflammation. However, two dogs later experienced recurrent inflammation with persistently high antibody titers despite prolonged treatment. Dr Yamit Soueid noted that greater awareness among veterinarians is important when treating dogs with unexplained eye inflammation.