A survey on endoparasites and ectoparasites in domestic dogs and cats in Vladivostok, Russia 2014

Abstract

The present survey aims to establish the prevalence of ecto- and endoparasitic infestations in dogs and cats in Vladivostok city in 2014. Between December 2013 and December 2014, 157 dogs (68 females and 89 males) and 80 cats (29 females and 51 males) were included in a study conducted in the School of Natural Sciences, Far Eastern Federal University and veterinarian hospitals in Vladivostok. For each animal, ectoparasites and Demodex spp. were identified with the help of cerumen and epidermis samples microscopy. Endoparasites were identified through standard coproscopical examinations of fresh fecal samples using the sedimentation–flotation methods. Endoparasites, including gastro-intestinal helminths and protozoans, were identified in 51% of the cats, Toxascaris leonina being the most commonly diagnosed (7.8%). As for ectoparasites in the cats, Otodectes cynotis only was identified (75%). Endoparasites were identified in 26.8% of the dogs, the most common endoparasite diagnosed being Ancylostoma caninum (10.3%). Dogs in the age groups 13 to 36months and cats over 3years of age showed significantly higher infection rates – 33.3% and 46.6%, respectively. In 97 dog fecal samples examined, only one type of parasite was found. In 51 cat fecal samples examined, only one type of endoparasite was found in 50 cats (94.7%) and 1 sample (5.3%) contained 2 different endoparasites. As for canine ectoparasitism, O. cynotis (Acari: Psoroptidae Conoor, 1984) (29.4%), and Сheyletiella yasguri (Acari:Cheyletidae Leach, 1815) (2.1%) were identified. Prevalence of Demodex canis (Acari: Demodicidae Nicolet, 1855) amounted to 6.25%.Conclusions: This survey demonstrates that parasitism is far from being rare among Vladivostok's cats and dogs' populations.