Feline parasitism not only has the potential to produce disease and unthriftiness in cats but can also cause zoonotic disease in humans (eg, ocular or visceral larval migrans, toxoplasmosis). Therefore, identifying the prevalence and types of parasites seen in cats can be beneficial.
The objective of this retrospective study was to comprehensively evaluate the prevalence and trend of parasitism in client-owned cats over a 12-year period. Results of fecal examinations performed at 2 locations between 2007 and 2018 were evaluated. Results came primarily from the examination of centrifugal flotation with either Sheather’s sugar or zinc sulfate solutions but also included saline direct smears, sedimentation, and Baermann tests. Of the 2,586 samples tested, parasites were observed in 24.5% of samples, with multiple parasites identified in 5.7% of samples. Twenty-three different types of parasites were identified, with the most common being Cystoisospora spp (9.4%), Toxocara cati (7.8%), Giardia spp (4%), Alaria spp (3.5%), Ancyclostoma spp (1.2%), taeniid (1.2%), Dipylidium caninum (1.1%), and Eucoleus (syn Capillaria) aerophilus (0.7%). A significant difference in prevalence was identified between age categories, with the youngest group (<6 months of age) having the highest infection rate (ie, 41%). Prevalence of parasites decreased in each subsequent older age group. The prevalence of Cystoisospora spp and T cati increased in summer months through fall; this seasonality is likely due to the litters of kittens born in spring and summer. The prevalence rate of parasitism increased over the 12-year period.