I Wright1, K Stafford2, G Coles2. 1. Department of Small Animal, Withy Grove Veterinary Surgery, Bamber Bridge, Preston, PR5 6QR. 2. School of Clinical Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, Langford House, Bristol, BS40 5DU.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To estimate prevalence of clinically-relevant intestinal nematodes in UK cats and dogs using the sensitive faecal analysis technique FLOTAC. METHODS: Faecal samples were collected from 171 domestic dogs and 131 domestic cats living in urban areas of Lancashire and examined for the ova of intestinal parasites using the FLOTAC technique. All tested individuals were at least 6 months old, had not been treated with anthelmintics since 6 months of age nor in the 3 weeks prior to testing. RESULTS: In total, 5·3% of dogs (9/171) were positive for Toxocara canis; of these, 5/9 had <100 T. canis epg. Two dogs were positive for Uncinaria stenocephala, and 3 were positive for Strongyloides species. Single animals had Ancylostoma species and Spirocerca lupi infection. All egg counts were <100 epg. 26% of cats (34/131) were infected with Toxocara cati; of these, 6/34 had <100 T. cati epg. Two cats were positive for Strongyloides species, four for Ancylostoma species and single case for U. stenocephala, Toxascaris leonina and S. lupi. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The high prevalence and zoonotic potential of Toxocara species in cats and dogs suggests the need for greater awareness of the need for repeated treatment. The discovery of S. lupi warrants further investigation and awareness of the clinical signs that this parasite may cause in cats and dogs.
OBJECTIVES: To estimate prevalence of clinically-relevant intestinal nematodes in UK cats and dogs using the sensitive faecal analysis technique FLOTAC. METHODS: Faecal samples were collected from 171 domestic dogs and 131 domestic cats living in urban areas of Lancashire and examined for the ova of intestinal parasites using the FLOTAC technique. All tested individuals were at least 6 months old, had not been treated with anthelmintics since 6 months of age nor in the 3 weeks prior to testing. RESULTS: In total, 5·3% of dogs (9/171) were positive for Toxocara canis; of these, 5/9 had <100 T. canis epg. Two dogs were positive for Uncinaria stenocephala, and 3 were positive for Strongyloides species. Single animals had Ancylostoma species and Spirocerca lupi infection. All egg counts were <100 epg. 26% of cats (34/131) were infected with Toxocara cati; of these, 6/34 had <100 T. cati epg. Two cats were positive for Strongyloides species, four for Ancylostoma species and single case for U. stenocephala, Toxascaris leonina and S. lupi. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The high prevalence and zoonotic potential of Toxocara species in cats and dogs suggests the need for greater awareness of the need for repeated treatment. The discovery of S. lupi warrants further investigation and awareness of the clinical signs that this parasite may cause in cats and dogs.
Authors: Andrea Corda; Claudia Tamponi; Roberta Meloni; Antonio Varcasia; Maria Luisa Pinna Parpaglia; Pablo Gomez-Ochoa; Antonio Scala Journal: Parasitol Res Date: 2019-01-31 Impact factor: 2.289
Authors: Eithne Leahy; Barend Bronsvoort; Luke Gamble; Andrew Gibson; Henderson Kaponda; Dagmar Mayer; Stella Mazeri; Kate Shervell; Neil Sargison Journal: Ir Vet J Date: 2017-06-02 Impact factor: 2.146
Authors: Maria Bernadeta Studzińska; Marta Demkowska-Kutrzepa; Anna Borecka; Michał Meisner; Krzysztof Tomczuk; Monika Roczeń-Karczmarz; Teresa Kłapeć; Zahrai Abbass; Alicja Cholewa Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2017-09-01 Impact factor: 3.390