Prevalence and Risk Factors of Intestinal Parasites in Cats from China

Abstract

The prevalence of intestinal parasites in cats from China was largely unknown prior to this study. The aim of the present study was to investigate the presence of intestinal parasites in cats from central China and also identify risk factors for parasitism. Fecal samples from 360 cats were examined using sugar flotation procedure and fecal smear test by microscope. Cats had mixed two or three kinds of parasites infections. Of the 360 cats feces, intestinal parasites positive feces were 149 (41.39%). 64 (17.78%) were infected withToxocara cati, 61 (16.94%) withIsospora felis, 41 (11.39%) withIsospora rivolta, 33 (9.17%) withParagonimus, 23 (6.39%) with hookworms, 11 (3.06%) withToxoplasma-like oocysts, 10 (2.78%) withTrichuris, 4 (1.11%) with lungworm, 2 (0.56%) withSarcocystis, and 1 (0.28%) withTrematode. The cats’ living outdoor was identified as risk factor by statistical analysis. These results provide relevant basic data for assessing the infection of intestinal parasites in cats from central region of China. In conclusion, there was high prevalence of intestinal parasites in cats from China.