Intestinal helminth parasites of Felis catus in Syangja, Nepal

Abstract

Domestic cats can be infested by a huge range of parasite species, leading to a range of diverse clinical signs and symptoms. However, a comprehensive understanding of these endoparasites, particularly in the context of multiparasitism, remains limited. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal helminth parasites on domestic cats in Arjunchaupari Rural Municipality of Syangja District, Nepal. The study was carried out from November 2017 to June 2018. A total of 30 fresh feline fecal samples were collected and examined by using the Saline wet method and sedimentation technique. Overall, 21 (70%) fecal samples were found to be positive for different parasitic infections. Four different helminth parasitic species were encountered as Toxocara cati (40%), Toxascaris leonina (16.67%), and Ancylostoma tubaeforme (10%) belonging to nematodes and a species of cestode: Hymenolepis diminuta (6.67%). Nematode infection (66.67%) was found to be comparatively more common than cestode infection (6.67%). Statistically, the relationship between the cestode and nematode parasite is significant (x2 = 0.232, p>0.05). The high incidence of parasitism of cats was due to the relative influence of behaviour and a contaminated environment since these cats lived in the same environment as other domestic animals. The study recommended that studies on all kinds of gastrointestinal parasites, including protozoan parasites, would be better to get more knowledge about parasites and their risk of transmission.