title: The prevalence of intestinal nematodes in cats and dogs from Lancashire, north-west England.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.affiliation: Department of Small Animal, Withy Grove Veterinary Surgery, Bamber Bridge, Preston, PR5 6QR.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.affiliation: School of Clinical Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, Langford House, Bristol, BS40 5DU.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Stafford
authors.affiliation: School of Clinical Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, Langford House, Bristol, BS40 5DU.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Coles
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D002415:Cats; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D004285:Dogs; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D009349:Nematode Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D010270:Parasite Egg Count; D017183:Strongylida / Q000302:isolation & purification; D017166:Toxocara canis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014505:Urban Population
chemical_list: D000871:Anthelmintics