Fecal prevalence and diversity of endoparasites in shelter dogs and cats from East Tennessee.

Abstract

Shelter animals are infected with a variety of endoparasites, and infections vary in severity and zoonotic potential. Data on parasite prevalence in Tennessee shelter animals are severely lacking. Fecal samples from 1111 dogs and 605 cats were collected from animal shelters from 2010 to 2023. Centrifugal fecal flotations using two separate solutions (Sheather's sugar and zinc sulfate) were performed, and parasites were identified to genus or species when possible. In total 43.5 % (263/605) of cats and 59.2 % (658/1111) of dogs were positive for at least one parasite on fecal flotation. Ancylostoma caninum and Trichuris vulpis were the most common species detected in dogs, while Toxocara cati and Cystoisospora felis were the most detected parasites in cats. This report provides valuable regional prevalence data of endoparasite infections in shelter animals in 8 counties in East Tennessee.