In a group of pedigree cats (n = 17) in poor health condition housed in an animal shelter in Vienna, Austria, with a history of persistent diarrhea, Tritrichomonas foetus infection was detected by PCR. Despite pre-existing clinical conditions all cats were treated with ronidazole (30 mg/kg PO q24h for 14 days) under close observation. After treatment, 11 of 14 initially positive animals remained negative for T. foetus during the observation period (six to eight weeks post treatment) and no diarrhea was observed. During treatment, nine cats showed mild to moderate neurological disorders (incoordination, mild tremor) at least once; six of these had already shown similar signs before treatment. Ronidazole treatment of multimorbid animals is acceptable if the benefit (here: clinical resolution and release from quarantine for adoption) is high. It is hypothesized that a high degree of inbreeding is a significant risk factor for the development of tritrichomonosis in cats.
Keywords: Austria; Comorbidity; Maine Coon; Protozoa.
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