Prevalence of enteropathogens and endoparasites in cats at an animal shelter in Ontario.

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.