Abstract

An epidemiological survey was conducted on gastrointestinal parasites among population of cats in two sub-urban communities, Ode-Irele and Oyo in Southwest Nigeria between April and September, 2008. A total of 200 faecal samples collected from domestic cats were processed and examined for eggs and cyst of parasites. The overall prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites obtained was 85.5%. The prevalences and intensities of parasites observed were as follows; Hookworm (57.0%; 194.0 ± 28.1epg), Toxocara cati (48.5%; 391.4 ± 101.2 epg), Isosporaspp. (30.5%), Physaloptera spp. (27.0%; 59.4 ± 20.1 epg), Toxascaris leonina(23.5%; 34.6 ± 8.5 epg), Ollulanus tricuspis (21.5%; 42.1 ± 12.7 epg),Pseudophyllidia spp. (12.0%; 34.2 ± 20.7 epg), Trichuris spp. (8.5%; 12.0 ± 5.1 epg), Taenia spp. (7.5%; 103.0 ± 59.2 epg), Dipylidium caninum (5.0%; 9.6 ± 5.4 epg), Spirocerca lupi (1.5%; 1.0 ± 0.7 epg), Schistosoma spp. (2.0%; 0.9 ± 0.6 epg) and Capillaria spp. (2.0%; 9.2 ± 7.3 epg). Hookworm was the predominant species (57.0%). Concurrent infections with two or more parasites were recorded in 81.3% of the infected cats. Prevalence patterns were age-dependent, with T. cati and hookworm showing a decreasing prevalence with age of host. Cats aged 0 to 6 months showed higher prevalence of infection than older age groups.  The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites may continue to rise due to lack of functional veterinary clinics; hence there is the urgent need for establishment of control based program in order to reduce the prevalence of parasitic infections among the cats.

Key words: Prevalence, intestinal parasites, domestic cat, Toxocara cati, feline – zoonosis.