Prevalence and risk factors for Giardia and coccidia species of pet cats in 2003-2004.
Prevalence and risk factors for feline coccidia and Giardia species infections were estimated for cats visiting 434 Banfield hospitals in 40 states in 2003-2004. Evaluated were 631,021 cats making 1,456,712 office visits (encounters) and having 211,105 fecal examinations. The overall fecal prevalences of coccidia and Giardia species were 1.4% and 0.58%, respectively. Cats at increased risk of coccidia infection were under 4 years of age, intact, and seen during the summer, fall, and spring months compared to winter. Cats at increased risk of Giardia species infection were under 4 years of age. Those at decreased risk were mixed breed and seen during the summer, fall, and spring. The highest regional risk of coccidia and Giardia species infection was for cats in the East South Central region and Mountain region, respectively, compared to the South Pacific region.
De Santis-Kerr
Andrea C
AC
Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, 725 Harrison Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2027, USA. desantia@purdue.edu
Raghavan
Malathi
M
Glickman
Nita W
NW
Caldanaro
Richard J
RJ
Moore
George E
GE
Lewis
Hugh B
HB
Schantz
Peter M
PM
Glickman
Lawrence T
LT