title: A cross-sectional study of Tritrichomonas foetus infection in feral and shelter cats in Prince Edward Island, Canada.
abstract: A cross-sectional study examined the occurrence of Tritrichomonas foetus, and other intestinal parasites, in feral and shelter cats in Prince Edward Island (PEI). Fecal samples were collected from 100 feral cats, 100 cats from the PEI Humane Society, and 5 cats from a private residence. The occurrence of T. foetus, based on fecal culture, was 0% in feral and shelter cats. A single positive sample was obtained from an owned Abyssinian cat that was imported to PEI. Intestinal parasites were identified via fecal flotation in 76% of feral cats and 39% of cats from the humane society. Feral cats had a higher incidence of Toxocara cati than cats from the humane society (P < 0.001), conversely, shelter cats had a higher incidence of Cystoisospora spp. (P < 0.001). These results suggest that while T. foetus is not of importance in feral and shelter cats in PEI, imported cats could serve as reservoirs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Companion Animals (Raab, Gelens), Department of Biomedical Sciences (Greenwood), and Centre for Epidemiologic Research (Vanderstichel), Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island C1A 4P3.
authors.forename: Oriana
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Raab
authors.affiliation: Department of Companion Animals (Raab, Gelens), Department of Biomedical Sciences (Greenwood), and Centre for Epidemiologic Research (Vanderstichel), Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island C1A 4P3.
authors.forename: Spencer
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Greenwood
authors.affiliation: Department of Companion Animals (Raab, Gelens), Department of Biomedical Sciences (Greenwood), and Centre for Epidemiologic Research (Vanderstichel), Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island C1A 4P3.
authors.forename: Raphael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vanderstichel
authors.affiliation: Department of Companion Animals (Raab, Gelens), Department of Biomedical Sciences (Greenwood), and Centre for Epidemiologic Research (Vanderstichel), Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island C1A 4P3.
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gelens
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild / Q000469:parasitology; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D002415:Cats; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004197:Disease Reservoirs / Q000662:veterinary; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D006799:Housing, Animal; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D011325:Prince Edward Island / Q000453:epidemiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011529:Protozoan Infections, Animal / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014119:Toxocara; D014120:Toxocariasis / Q000453:epidemiology; D016835:Tritrichomonas foetus