Distribution of ecto- and endoparasites in cats of Kharkiv Region

Abstract

The purpose of the work was to determine the distribution of various ecto- and endoparasites of the gastrointestinal tract that infect cats of the urban and rural populations of the Kharkiv region for the first time. Studies on ecto- and endoparasites were conducted in 177 cats of the urban population, of which 112 were domestic cats and 65 homeless animals and 98 cats of the rural population of the Kharkiv region in the period from March to July 2023. Data were collected on the location, age and sex of the animals and additionally (in the case of private animals) on anti-parasitic treatment. In 275 examined cats, 5 different ecto- and endoparasites were detected with prevalence ranging from 7.1% to 32.3%. Ctenocephalides felis was registered in 7.1% of domestic cats, 29.2% of homeless cats of the urban populations and 18.4% of cats of the rural populations. Infestation with Otodectes cynotis ear mites was highest in stray cats (32.3%), while cats from the rural populations had a lower infestation rate of 9.9% and pets from the urban populations — 14.4%. In homeless cats of the urban populations, eggs of helminths Toxascaris leonina (29.2%) and Uncinaria stenocephala (18.5%) were recorded the most. The prevalence of Toxascaris leonina in domestic cats of urban and rural populations was almost at the same level — 18.8% and 19.4%, respectively. Taenia taeniaeformis was recorded in stray cats from urban (3.1%) and rural (6.1%) populations. Taenia eggs were not detected in domestic cats of the urban populations. The total infestation endo- and ectoparasites of domestic cats in the urban populations was 52.7%, in the rural populations — 77.6%, while the infestation of homeless cats was 100%