The prevalence of Trichuris spp. infection in indoor and outdoor cats on St. Kitts

Jenifer Kathleen Ketzis; Linda Shell; Sarah Chinault; Charles Pemberton; Mary M Pereira

doi:10.3855/jidc.5778

The prevalence of Trichuris spp. infection in indoor and outdoor cats on St. Kitts

Authors

Jenifer Kathleen Ketzis Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis, West Indies
Linda Shell Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis, West Indies
Sarah Chinault Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis, West Indies
Charles Pemberton Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis, West Indies
Mary M Pereira Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis, West Indies

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.5778

Keywords:

Cats, Trichuris spp., Caribbean, parasite prevalence

Abstract

Introduction: The present study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of Trichuris spp. and other intestinal parasitic infections in owned cats on St. Kitts.

Methodology: The feces of 41 non-feral cats (23 indoor only; 18 indoor/outdoor) were examined for the presence of Trichuris spp. eggs.

Results: Nine (22%) of the cats were positive for Trichuris spp. Prevalence of trichuriasis in indoor cats was 26.0% as compared to 16.7% in outdoor cats. Other parasites identified included Ancylostoma spp. (10%; 4 cats), Toxocara cati (2%; 1 cat), Platynosomum spp. (22%; 9 cats), Mammomonogamus spp. (2%; 1 cat) and coccidia (7%; 3 cats).

Conclusion: On St. Kitts, indoor cats are as likely to have parasite infections as outdoor cats. Given the zoonotic potential of some of the identified parasites, periodical anthelmintic treatment should be provided to both indoor and outdoor cats.

Author Biography

Jenifer Kathleen Ketzis, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis, West Indies

Assistant Professor, Dept. of Biomedical Sciences

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Published

2015-01-15

How to Cite

Ketzis JK, Shell L, Chinault S, Pemberton C, Pereira MM (2015) The prevalence of Trichuris spp. infection in indoor and outdoor cats on St. Kitts. J Infect Dev Ctries 9:111–113. doi: 10.3855/jidc.5778

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Issue

Vol. 9 No. 01: January 2015

Section

Brief Original Articles

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