Parasites of domestic owned cats in Europe: co-infestations and risk factors

Abstract

BackgroundDomestic cats can be infested by a large range of parasite species. Parasitic infestations may cause very different clinical signs. Endoparasites and ectoparasites are rarely explored in the same study and therefore multiparasitism is poorly documented. The present survey aimed to improve knowledge of the prevalence and risk factors associated with ecto- and endoparasite infestations in owned cats in Europe.MethodsFrom March 2012 to May 2013, 1519 owned cats were included in a multicenter study conducted in 9 veterinary faculties throughout Europe (Austria, Belgium, France, Hungary, Italy, Romania and Spain). For each cat, ectoparasites were checked by combing of the coat surface associated with otoscopic evaluation and microscopy on cerumen samples. Endoparasites were identified by standard coproscopical examinations performed on fresh faecal samples. Risk factors and their influence on parasitism were evaluated by univariate analysis followed by a multivariate statistical analysis (including center of examination, age, outdoor access, multipet status, and frequency of treatments as main criteria) with logistic regression models.ResultsOverall, 50.7% of cats resulted positive for at least one internal or one external parasite species. Ectoparasites were found in 29.6% of cats (CI95 27.3-32.0%). Otodectes cynotis was the most frequently identified species (17.4%), followed by fleas (15.5%). Endoparasites were identified in 35.1% of the cats (CI95 32.7-35.7%), including gastro-intestinal helminths in 25.7% (CI95 23.5-28.0), respiratory nematodes in 5.5% (CI95 4.2-7.0%) and protozoans in 13.5% (CI95 11.8-15.3%). Toxocara cati was the most commonly diagnosed endoparasite (19.7%, CI95 17.8-21.8%). Co-infestation with endoparasites and ectoparasites was found in 14.0% of the cats, and 11.9% harbored both ectoparasites and gastro-intestinal helminths.Age, outdoor access, living with other pets, and anthelmintic or insecticide treatments were significantly associated with the prevalence of various parasites.ConclusionsThis survey demonstrates that parasitism is not a rare event in European owned cat populations. The prevalence of multi-parasitism is significantly greater than expected by chance and hence there is tendency for some individual cats to be more prone to infestation by both endo- and ectoparasites due to common risk factors.

Gastrointestinal parasites in feral cats and rodents from the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, Brazil

“…Among animals, cats and rodents are considered important reservoirs for a wide range of zoonotic parasites. For example, cats may harbour several species of gastrointestinal parasites (e.g., Ancylostoma tubaeforme, A. brasiliensis, Toxocara cati and Toxoplasma gondii), and shed their immature stages through the faeces, contaminating the environment (BALASSIANO et al, 2009;COSTA et al, 2012;BEUGNET et al, 2014;MONTEIRO et al, 2016;SARAVANAN et al, 2016).…”

Epidemiological survey of zoonotic helminths in feral cats in Gran Canaria island (Macaronesian archipelago-Spain)

“…The increase of feral animals population close to the rural or urban areas may constitute the reservoir of many diseases that can be spread to human beings, as well as domestic animal species of our environment. (Beugnet et al 2014).…”

Efficacy of Broadline® spot-on against Aelurostrongylus abstrusus and Troglostrongylus brevior lungworms in naturally infected cats from Italy

“…Domestic cats may be infected by several endoparasites, which may cause a variety of clinical signs, ranging from digestive alterations to anaemia, and respiratory distress (Beugnet et al, 2014). Gastrointestinal cause of parasitic diseases in cats across Europe (Beugnet et al, 2014).…”

“…Gastrointestinal cause of parasitic diseases in cats across Europe (Beugnet et al, 2014). Some of these species (e.g., Toxocara cati, Toxoplasma gondii, Giardia lamblia) represent a risk for human beings (Traversa, 2012), whereas others (e.g., lungworms), though are not of zoonotic concern, may be highly pathogenic for cats and cause severe life-threatening conditions (Gerdin et al, 2011).…”