Enteric parasites of free-roaming, owned, and rural cats in prairie regions of Canada

摘要

The objective of this study was to determine prevalence, intensity, and zoonotic potential ofgastrointestinal parasites in free-roaming and pet cats in urban areas of Saskatchewan (SK) and a rural region in southwestern Alberta (AB). Fecal samples were analyzed using a modified double centrifugation sucrose flotationto detect helminth eggs and coccidian oocysts, and an immunofluorescence assay to detect Giardia andCryptosporidium. Endoparasite prevalence was higher in samples from rural AB cats (41% of 27) and free-roamingSK cats (32% of 161) than client-owned SK cats (6% of 31). Parasites identified using morphological and moleculartechniques included Toxocara cati, Toxascaris leonina, Baylisascaris-rype eggs, Eucoleus aerophilus, Taenia taeniaeformis,Isospora spp., Cryptosporidium spp., and zoonotic genotype A of Giardia duodenalis. This study demonstratessignificant differences in endoparasite prevalence in feline populations, and the value of molecular techniques infecal-based surveys to identify and determine parasite zoonotic potential.