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Parasite prevalence in free-ranging farm cats, Felis silvestris catus

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

N. Yamaguchi ,
D. W. Macdonald ,
W. C. Passanisi ,
D. A. Harbour  and
C. D. Hopper
N. Yamaguchi
Affiliation:
Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OXI 3PS, UK
D. W. Macdonald*
Affiliation:
Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OXI 3PS, UK
W. C. Passanisi
Affiliation:
Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OXI 3PS, UK
D. A. Harbour
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, Division of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Bristol, Langford House, Langford, Bristol BS18 7DY, UK
C. D. Hopper
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, Division of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Bristol, Langford House, Langford, Bristol BS18 7DY, UK
*
* Author for correspondence.
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No animals tested were positive for feline leukaemia virus antigen and Chlamydia psittaci antibodies, but all were positive for antibodies to feline calicivirus (FCV), feline herpesvirus 1 (FHV1) and rotavirus. They had antibodies to feline parvovirus (96%), feline coronavirus (84%) and cowpox virus (2%). Antibody to feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) was found in 53% of animals, which were less likely to be infected with Haemobartonella felis, and had higher FHV antibody titres than cats without FIV. FCV was isolated from 51% cats and FHV1 and feline reovirus each from 4%. H. felis was present in 42% of animals, and antibody to Toxoplasma gondii in 62%. Clinical abnormality had a significant association with FIV and feline calicivirus infections, but sex, age, social status and feeding group had no significant association with prevalence of any parasites. Toxocara cati and Toxascaris leonina eggs were found, respectively, in 91% and 82% of animals tested.

Type
Research Article
Information
Epidemiology & Infection , Volume 116 , Issue 2 , April 1996 , pp. 217 - 223
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1996

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