<b>Parasitological findings and antiparasitic treatment of captive Jaguarundis <I>Herpailurus yagouaroundi</I> (Carnivora: Felidae) in a conservation center in Brazil</b>

Abstract

Ex situ management of wildlife provides a possibility for species maintenance, research development and environmental education. But as captive facilities are usually much smaller than the area occupied by a species in the natural habitat, cleaning might be insufficient, domestic species such as cats might be in close proximity, and wild animals in captivity are inevitably stressed, animals kept in these facilities are more at risk of acquiring parasitic infections. Therefore, an appropriate prophylactic protocol and consequent anti-parasitic therapy of affected animals are fundamental for any wildlife conservation center. This report describes the procedures adopted in a conservation center for wild felines in which four adult Jaguarundis were diagnosed with severe infection with gastrointestinal parasites and flea infestation. Two animals died and based on the necropsy findings and fecal examinations, infections with Ancylostoma caninum and Toxocara cati were diagnosed, as well as severe infestations with Ctenocephalides felis felis fleas, all common parasites of domestic cats. We discuss the applied therapy and the adopted environmental management, along with the importance of regular health assessments and a preventive medicine program for this species in captivity.

Flea parasitism in wild mammals in the metropolitan region of Sorocaba, São Paulo, Brazil

“…In a free-ranging margay cat ( Leopardus wiedii ) in Peru, C. felis was identified parasitizing a rescued wild-born kitten that had been kept in the same environment as domestic animals for a period of time prior to flea collection ( Quevedo et al, 2014 ). Other species of wild felids, both free-ranging and under human care, have been identified as flea hosts in Brazil, including Adoratopsylla antiquorum , A. intermedia , C. felis , Polygenis tripus , P. occidentalis , Pulex irritans , Rhopalopsyllus lutzi , and X. cheopis in species such as the jaguarundi ( Herpailurus yagouaroundi) , southern tiger cat ( Leopardus guttulus) , margay cat ( Leopardus wiedii ), geoffroy´s cat ( Leopardus geoffroyi ), ocelot ( Leopardus pardalis ), and puma ( Puma concolor ) ( Grossmann et al, 2018 ; Pinto et al, 2009 ; Souza et al, 2021 ).…”