Infections with helminths and/or protozoa in cats in animal shelters in the Netherlands
Robben, S.R.; le Nobel, W.E.; Döpfer, D.; Hendrikx, W.M.; Boersema, J.H.; Fransen, F.; Eysker, M.E.
Tijdschrift Voor Diergeneeskunde 129(1): 2-6
2004
ISSN/ISBN: 0040-7453 PMID: 14737808 Document Number: 316
To determine the prevalence of helminth and protozoal infections in cats in animal shelters, faecal samples from 305 cats from 22 animal shelters in the Netherlands were examined using a centrifugation-sedimentation-flotation-technique. The association between potential risk factors and the occurrence of an infection was also tested. Infections with helminths and/or protozoa were found in 160 samples (52.5%). Toxocara cati was found in 86 cats (28.2%), Cystoisospora felis [Isospora felis] in 59 cats (19.3%), Cystoisospora rivolta [Isospora rivolta] in 43 cats (14.1%), Capillaria spp. in 34 cats (11.2%), Ancylostoma tubaeforme in 9 cats (3.0%), Taenia taeniaeformis in 9 cats (3.0%), Aelurostrongylus abstrusus in 8 cats (2.6%), Giardia intestinalis in 3 cats (1.0%), Dipylidium caninum in 2 cats (0.7%) and Toxoplasma gondii in 1 cat (0.3%). The highest prevalence was seen in kittens and stray cats. The main preventive factor against infection was a short stay in a shelter.
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