Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Parasites and infections in cats at an Ontario animal shelter
By Kritikos, Georgia et al.·Published in The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne·2025·Department of Clinical Studies (Kritikos, Canada·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Prevalence of enteropathogens and endoparasites in cats at an animal shelter in Ontario.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of 79 cats and kittens at an animal shelter in Ontario had their fecal samples tested for harmful microorganisms and parasites. The tests found that feline coronavirus (FCoV) was common, especially in cats with softer stools, while hookworms, roundworms, and tapeworms were rare. After the cats were treated with deworming medication, the number of parasites decreased significantly. This study highlights the importance of monitoring and treating sheltered cats for infections to help keep them healthy.
People also search for: cat diarrhea treatment · feline coronavirus symptoms · deworming cats effectiveness
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of fecal microorganisms and parasites in a population of sheltered cats, and to identify specific animal factors associated with infection. ANIMALS: A total of 79 sheltered cats and kittens in Guelph, Ontario. PROCEDURE: A fecal sample was collected from each animal upon shelter entry. A second sample was collected following deworming treatment. Microorganism and parasite prevalence was assessed by PCR assays. A linear mixed model was used to determine the relationships between animal factors (intake source, age, sex, body condition score, time between deworming and sample collection, and fecal consistency) and fecal microorganisms and parasites, as well as to compare samples taken before and after deworming. RESULTS: alpha toxin gene and feline coronavirus (FCoV) DNA were the most common abnormalities identified.spp.,enterotoxin, andwere rare.prevalence was negatively associated with increasing age (= 0.04) and FCoV prevalence was positively associated with softer stool (= 0.02). Hookworms, roundworms, and tapeworms were uncommon, and prevalence was not affected by any animal factor. Parasite prevalence decreased after deworming (= 0.04). CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: There do not appear to be durable relationships betweenand FCoV prevalence and animal factors in cats. A larger population of cats is required to identify potential relationships between microorganism and parasite prevalence and animal-specific demographic factors.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39781414/