Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites in Cats and Their Importance in Terms of Public Health.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to detect the prevalence of intestinal parasites in cats by fecal examination.

METHODS: A total of 100 fecal samples were collected from owned and stray cats in the Kırıkkale province. Epidemiological data on the sampled cats (e.g., age, race, and sex) were recorded. The samples were macroscopically investigated for the presence of cestode proglottids. The fecal smears were stained with Giemsa and Carbol fuchsin stains. The samples were prepared by centrifugal flotation with a saturated sugar solution. The slides were examined using light microscopy.

RESULTS: Parasites were detected in 47% of feces of cats examined. Protozoa (Isospora spp. and Cryptosporidium spp.) oocysts, gravid proglottid of cestode (Joyeuxiella spp.), and nematode (Toxocara spp. and hookworm) eggs were present in the fecal samples. In this study, 48.9% of cats were infected with one species, and 44.6% and 6.3% of cats were infected with two and three species, respectively. The more prevalent parasite species were Isospora spp. (65.9%) and Toxocara spp. (48.9%). The parasites were found to be more common in stray cats.

CONCLUSION: Intestinal parasites were highly prevalent in the cats examined in this study. House cats can have significant parasitic infections, particularly because they are allowed outdoors. House cats should be regularly examined by a veterinarian.