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How your cat could be making you neurotic (... but probably isn't)
LA Times ^
Posted on 06/11/2009 10:42:00 AM PDT by Chet 99
Garfield From science fiction or real life, you may be familiar with the manipulative powers of parasites. Invasive fungus that provokes ants to climb atop plants before dying, where it can continue growing. Rabies causes dogs to salivate and become aggressive, increasing the chance that they'll bite and spread the disease.
And Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite that actually draws rats to their predators -- cats. Manipulation is afoot here, too. Cats are the definitive hosts of this parasite, which can inhabit their brains after they kill a rat. From there, the parasite can spread to other mammals, including humans.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimesblogs.latimes.com ...
TOPICS: Pets/Animals
KEYWORDS: cats; kittehs
1
posted on
06/11/2009 10:42:00 AM PDT
by
Chet 99
To: Chet 99
WTH? This story is bizarre, right down a Turkish study (LOL) that claims that these bugs make women promiscuous.
To: Chet 99
Cat Jedi powers still need work...
To: Travis T. OJustice; Tijeras_Slim
Hmmm...this story makes me think of a certain crazy cat lady.
I'm trying to think of exactly who? :)
To: Chet 99
Toxo is real and dangerous. My kittie
Huey Mewis got it and had a BP-induced stroke. Almost died, lost sight in one eye and is mostly deaf. OTOH, he just had his 24th birthday.
5
posted on
06/11/2009 10:52:12 AM PDT
by
pabianice
To: Constitution Day; Travis T. OJustice
Toxoplasma gondiiNot to be confused with the Indian strain Mahatma Gondii.
To: Constitution Day; Tijeras_Slim
Hmmmm. Was it Doe? Nah, that's not it. Something like that.
7
posted on
06/11/2009 11:34:41 AM PDT
by
Travis T. OJustice
(I can spell just fine, thanks, it's my typing that sucks.)
To: Tijeras_Slim
Toxoplasma gondii Not to be confused with the Indian strain Mahatma Gondii. Another good reason to avoid the local Gondii Mart.
8
posted on
06/11/2009 11:36:21 AM PDT
by
Travis T. OJustice
(I can spell just fine, thanks, it's my typing that sucks.)
To: Chet 99
9
posted on
06/11/2009 5:59:07 PM PDT
by
Slings and Arrows
("If Dick Cheney is Darth Vader, then Barack Obama is Jar-Jar Binks!")
To: Chet 99; Slings and Arrows; Glenn; republicangel; Bahbah; Beaker; BADROTOFINGER; etabeta; ...
10
posted on
06/11/2009 8:43:30 PM PDT
by
Slings and Arrows
("If Dick Cheney is Darth Vader, then Barack Obama is Jar-Jar Binks!")
To: Travis T. OJustice
“Another good reason to avoid the local Gondii Mart.”
...which should not be confused with Marti Gras...
11
posted on
06/11/2009 9:02:13 PM PDT
by
Bean Counter
(Stout Hearts....)
To: Slings and Arrows
12
posted on
06/11/2009 11:52:29 PM PDT
by
Daffynition
("If any of you die, can I please have your ammo?" ~ Gator113)
To: americanophile
What a waste of money....
13
posted on
06/12/2009 5:24:48 AM PDT
by
Fawn
(Rush Limbaugh---> America's pinata)
To: Constitution Day
Calling names before the person is even in the room? Lame. Please give me your definition of a crazy cat lady..
14
posted on
06/12/2009 5:27:26 AM PDT
by
Fawn
(Rush Limbaugh---> America's pinata)
To: Travis T. OJustice
You know I have to post a picture of you and your doggies....
15
posted on
06/12/2009 5:30:03 AM PDT
by
Fawn
(Rush Limbaugh---> America's pinata)
To: Chet 99; Slings and Arrows; Lady Jag; Constitution Day; Tijeras_Slim; Fawn
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