In spite of all veterinary medicine has to offer, some diseases engender as many questions as answers. One of them is a parasitic infection that zeros in on cats.

Feline trichomoniasis [trick-uh-mō-NĪ-us-is] typically causes soft stool and straining to go. But what we don’t know is precisely how these parasites affect a cat’s intestine.

Trichomoniasis most often affects cats up to 1 year of age. While clinical signs may resolve spontaneously within 2 years or so, they may instead last for years on end. An antiprotozoal drug helps in many cases, but there’s still a need to discover a safe, effective therapy.

And what about cats that carry — and pass — trichomonads [trick-uh-MŌ-nads] but have no clinical signs? Should all positive cats be treated or only the symptomatic ones?

Researchers continue to look for answers, so ask your veterinarian for more information.