Gastrointestinal parasitism in cats: A clinic based study

Introduction

Cat rearing in India is experiencing a growing trend driven by urbanization, nuclear family structure, post covid loneliness and convenience in handling. Domestic cats (Felis. catus) are the sole feline species known for their exclusive close contact with humans (Adhikari et al., 2023) [1] . As companion animals, cats also act as zoonotic reservoirs of the parasites. The role of cats as primary hosts for zoonotic parasites is a major public health issue worldwide (Shantz, 1994: Yamaguchi et al., 1996, Sabu et al., 2018) [3,2,24] and also is a serious concern for the pet owners (Hill et al., 2000) [4] . Gastrointestinal parasites are a significant concern in feline health, impacting both wild and domestic cat population globally, leading to varieties of clinical symptoms ranging from mild gastrointestinal upset to severe illness. Cats and other felines can serve as reservoirs, carriers, transmitters, and definitive hosts for numerous intestinal parasites (Shahram et al., 2014) [5] . Parasite prevalences appear to be higher in feral cats than household cats. Infection occurs when cats ingest parasitic eggs. These parasites are a primary contributor to morbidity in domestic cats (Hendrix and Blagburn, 1983; Oluyomi, 2012) [7,8] . Majority of the endoparasites in cats are causing diseases in humans also. Among the endoparasites, round worms, tape worms and protozoan parasites are more commonly reported (Chen et al., 2012; Baneth et al., 2016; Patil et al., 2024) [9][10][11] . Among the round worms, Toxocara cati (T. cati) is ubiquitous in cat populations throughout the world and the prevalence is highest in kittens and lowest in adult cats. Dogs and cats become infected through infective eggs from the environment or through ingestion of the paratenic hosts. Prenatal infection is absent in cats but trans-mammary route is important. Infective eggs in the environment can be a source of infection for human beings and animals. Infections in adult cats are rarely associated with clinical signs.

Respiratory signs, vomiting, loose faeces, cachexia with a distended abdomen are commonly associated with the infection. Ancylostoma tubaeformae (A. tubaeformae), the common hook worm of cats worldwide is associated with clinical signs of anaemia, lethargy, rough hair coat and blood/mucus in faeces. A. braziliense and A. ceylanicum have also been reported in cats earlier. Ancylostomiasis in cats can be transmitted perorally and percutaneously. Peroral infection occurs when cats ingest the infective larvae through food or water, whereas in percutaneous infection, the infective larvae penetrate the skin. In humans, the infection is transmitted through contact with soil or moist sand contaminated with the faeces of Ancylostoma spp infected cats or dogs. The tape worms Dibothriocephalus latus (D. latum) and Spirometra spp are also of major concern as they are zoonotic parasites. Dibothriocephalus latus is the common tapeworm of cats and causes the disease in cats fed with raw or undercooked fish carrying the larval stages of the worm (Balachandran et al., 2008) [12] . The clinical symptoms include vomiting, diarrhoea, weight loss and ascites and passing of proglottids through faeces (Sivajothi et al., 2025) [13] . Spirometra spp also is now increasingly reported in cats (Katoch et al., 2013) [14] . Cats become infected by ingesting the infected larval forms in the second intermediate hosts such as amphibians and reptiles. Adult Spirometra spp is found in the small intestine of cats with clinical signs of vomiting, diarrhoea and weight loss. Cats can also become the second intermediate hosts by ingesting an infected copepod, the first intermediate host resulting in proliferative sparganosis. Understanding the occurrence, transmission routes, and effects of parasites is crucial for effective prevention and treatment strategies. This study aims to understand the occurrence of gastrointestinal parasites in cats, focusing on variables such as age, sex, breed, season, and deworming status. By gaining a thorough understanding of these infections and their control measures, we can better manage the health of feline populations. This research seeks to raise awareness among pet owners and veterinarians about the common parasites found in cats in Wayanad district of Kerala. It will highlight, how deworming status impacts the overall well-being of cats, emphasizing the importance of regular deworming practices.

Materials and Methods

A total of 248 faecal samples of cats that were presented at Veterinary Ambulatory clinic, Kakkavayal under Teaching Veterinary Clinical Complex (TVCC), Pookode, Wayanad from a period of January 2023 to December 2023 were analysed. Clinical signs of the sampled animals varied from anorexia, diarrhoea, vomiting and blood in faeces. Faecal samples were processed using centrifugal sedimentation method at 3000 rpm for 5 min for ova concentration, followed by microscopic examination at 10X magnification and confirmed at 40X magnification. Data related to various risk factors like breed, sex, age and deworming status were also documented. Data were entered into a Microsoft Excel spread sheet, verified for correctness, and imported into IBM-SPSS software 24.0 for the statistical analysis. Comparison between different age groups and also between different seasons was done by using chi square test for multiple proportions. Comparison between Tom and Queen Cats and also between proper and improper deworming was done by using Z-test for two independent proportions.

Results and Discussion

Among the 248 faecal samples examined, 34 were positive for parasitic ova (Figure 12345), with an overall occurrence of 13.71 per cent. Earlier, Vincy et al., 2023 [15] reported an overall occurrence of 19 per cent for gastrointestinal parasites in cats in Northern Kerala. Gennari et al., 2016 [16] reported an occurrence of 18.1 percent in a university veterinary hospital in Brazil. Additionally, the observed prevalence of 13.71 per cent in this study is consistent with findings from Oluyomi (2012) [8] , who reported a 14 per cent prevalence in Nigeria, suggesting that environmental and manage mental factors may contribute to similar infection rates across tropical regions. The variation in prevalence rates could be attributed to differences in sampling techniques, diagnostic methods, regional climate, and host management factors (Itoh et [17,18] . Among the 34 positive samples, D. latum showed the highest occurrence rate of 32.35 per cent, followed by Ancylostoma spp and Spirometra spp with an occurrence rate each of 20.59 per cent followed by T. cati (17.65 per cent), and isospora (8.82 per cent) (Table 1). The study results are not in agreement with the findings of Vincy et al. 2023 [15] who reported a higher occurrence for Ancylostoma spp; 61 per cent and a lower occurrence for D.latum; 4.35 per cent in Kerala, but the occurrence of Isospora spp was in agreement. Reported an occurrence of 29.41 per cent for Toxocara spp whereas this study reports a slightly lower per cent. Occurrence of gastrointestinal parasites based on various risk factors was also studied (Table 2). The occurrence of gastrointestinal parasites based on age revealed a higher percentage in cats above one year of age (15.63per cent), followed by cats up to 6 months of age group with an occurrence rate of (13.86per cent) and cats between 6-12 months of age (12.05per cent). Cats above one year of age showed higher parasite occurrence, which might be due to longer exposure to infection and less frequent deworming by owners as the cats grow older. In contrast, some studies found higher infection in kittens because their immune systems are not fully developed (Patil et al., 2024) [11] . A Similar trend with higher prevalence in adult cats was published by Vishruta et al., 2024 [20] , who also observed higher prevalence in adult cats, possibly due to prolonged exposure to contaminated environments. The occurrence of gastrointestinal parasites based on sex, revealed a higher percentage in Queens (14.09per cent) compared to Tom cats (13.13 per cent). A similar trend with the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites was higher in female was earlier reported (Kibruyesfa et al., 2024) [21] , who attributed the difference to physiological stress and hormonal fluctuations, especially in reproductive females. Native/Cross breed (CB) cats showed an occurrence rate of (16 per cent) followed by Persian cats with an occurrence rate of (11.67 per cent). The increased prevalence in ND/CB cats may be linked to differences in lifestyle and access to the outdoors, increasing their exposure to infective stages of parasites (Gennari et al. 2016) [16] . Based on deworming history, cats with an improper deworming showed a higher occurrence rate (16.04per cent) compared to the cats with a proper deworming (6.56per cent). Prevention and control of parasitic infections in cats can be achieved by proper deworming with suitable anthelminthic medication. Analyzing the occurrence of gastrointestinal parasites in cats is essential for implementing more effective control measures to manage parasitic infections and thus mitigate their impact on both felines and humans. Because cats play an important role in society as integral members of the family environment. However, this proximity can potentially pose health risks to humans, as cats serve as hosts to various zoonotic parasites. The statistical significance of this association (p<0.05) underlines the necessity of regular anthelmintic treatment for parasite control, as also emphasized by Vincy et al. (2023) [15] . Based on seasonal trends, cats presented during monsoon showed a higher occurrence of 25.45per cent, followed by cats presented during pre-monsoon (14.29 per cent) and winter (12.86 per cent). Least occurrence was noticed in cats presented during post monsoon with an occurrence of 3.3per cent. The significant seasonal variation (p<0.01) could be attributed to increased humidity and environmental contamination during the monsoon, favouring the development and survival of parasite eggs and larvae (Malangmei et al. 2021) [22] .

Conclusion

The gastrointestinal parasites, D. latum, Ancylostoma spp, Spirometra spp, T. cati and isospora were identified in the cats presented to Veterinary Ambulatory clinic, Kakkavayal. Most of the identified parasites were proven zoonotic agents. Hence monitoring and screening are important in the healthy existance of both cats and humans.

Acknowledgement

The authors are thankful to Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Pookode for providing the facilities for this work.

Conflict of Interest

References

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