Dissemination and clinical and hematological manifestations in cat cestodes

Abstract

The materials of the presented research cover the issues of the spread of cestodes of cats in the Solomyansky district of Kyiv (according to the veterinary clinic Vet Alliance). After analyzing the relevant scientific literature, the epizootic situation of dipilidiosis and mesocestoidosis of cats in the metropolis was analyzed. Studies have shown that more than 50 % of parasitic diseases in cats occur in associated forms, among which the most common are toxocariasis, dipilidiosis, mesocestoidosis, ktenocephalidosis (flea infestation) and otodectosis. The monoform of invasions occurred only in 14.7 % of registered cases. The spread of diplidiosis and mesocestoidosis was characterized by seasonality – the peak of the lesion cats were observed in September-October. The most susceptible to infection Dipylidium caninum and Mesocestoides lineatus were kittens under the age of six months. The clinical condition and hematological parameters of kittens with dipilidiosis were also studied. Depression, anemia of the conjunctiva and mucous membranes of the nose and mouth, indigestion, dry cough were found. All cats had dull fur, and numerous dark brown spots and live fleas were observed on the skin, especially in the lumbar region. These data indicate a violation of erythropoiesis in feline dipilidiosis, which was characterized by erythrocytopenia and leukocytosis. Significant eosinophilia, an increase in the number of rod-shaped, and a decrease in segmental neutrophils were also found compared with clinically healthy animals. The results of biochemical blood tests of sick cats were important to clarify the features of the pathogenesis of dipilidiosis. Changes in blood biochemical parameters were characterized by a probably reduced content of hemoglobin, total protein and albumin. This indicates not only a violation of erythropoiesis, but also a violation of the protein-synthesizing function of the liver, because the pathological process involves various organs and systems of the body. Key words: feline dipilidiosis, feline mesocestoidosis, prevalence, clinical condition, hematological parameters, pulse rate, mucosal anemia, indigestion.