Feline intestinal parasites in Finland: prevalence, risk factors and anthelmintic treatment practices.
The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of feline intestinal parasites in Finland and to determine the possible risk factors for infection. Altogether 411 feline fecal samples were analyzed with a flotation method to reveal helminth eggs and protozoan oocysts. Of the samples, 402 were also screened for Giardia species antigens with a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. The cat owners completed a questionnaire. Toxocara cati prevalence was 5.4% and Toxascaris leonina 0.2%. Taenia species eggs were found in 1.5% of the samples and Isospora felis in 0.7%, whilst 3.2% of the samples tested positive for Giardia species antigen. Risk factors for Toxocara/Toxascaris species infection included being a non-pedigree cat, having access to the outdoors, living outside of the cities and receiving home-made food. Pedigree cats were at greater risk of contracting Giardia duodenalis. The majority of the cat owners (62.4%) treated their cat with anthelmintics 2-4 times per year.
Department of Veterinary Biosciences, PO Box 66, 00014 University of Helsinki, Finland. anu.nareaho@helsinki.fi
Anu
A
Näreaho
Jutta
J
Puomio
Kaisa
K
Saarinen
Pikka
P
Jokelainen
Tiina
T
Juselius
Antti
A
Sukura
D000818:Animals; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D002415:Cats; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D010273:Parasitic Diseases, Animal / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015995:Prevalence; D011715:Pyrantel / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014120:Toxocariasis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology
D000871:Anthelmintics; D011715:Pyrantel