Prevalence of Toxocaraca parasites in Persian and Stray cats referring to veterinary clinics of Amol city in Mazandaran province

Subject Areas : Smal Animal Medicine

mohmmad reza yousefi ¹ (Ph.D. Veterinary Parasitology, Associate Professor, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Babol Branch, Islamic Azad University, Babol, Iran)
mohammad asadi iraee ² (veterinarian clinician, Amol, Mazandaran)
mohmmad reza roudaki sarvandani ³ (Member of Young Researchers Club, Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine Student, Babol Branch, Islamic Azad University, Babol, Iran)
Mohammad mehdi Yazdani rostam ⁴ (Member of Young Researchers Club, Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine Student, Babol Branch, Islamic Azad University, Babol, Iran)
Mohammad javad Mashayekh nia ⁵ (Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine Student, Babol Branch, Islamic Azad University, Babol, Iran)

Received: 2019-02-12 Accepted : 2019-03-12 Published : 2019-08-23

Keywords: Stray cats, Toxocaraca, Amol city, Persian cats,

Abstract :

Toxocariasis caused by toxocara nematodes, is one of the most common parasitic diseases of humans and animals around the world. This nematode causes a small intestine parasitic infection in carnivores, and clinical Symptoms of this type of disease occur in different forms, depending on the number of swollen eggs (the rate of infection), the target organ that the larvae migrate to, the length of infection period and the patient's immune system's type of response. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of Toxocara cati in a population of Persian and Stray cats referring to veterinary clinics located in Amol city in Mazandaran province. After completing the sampling process, the number of 65 persian and stray cats were sent to the private lab for examination. The results of this study showed that 15 cats (23%) were infected with parasites, of which 12 (80%) were infected by toxocara cati and the other 3 (20%) had other intestinal parasites. Among the toxocara cati infected cats, 3 (25%) were Persian and 9 (75%) were stray cats and the ones with other intestinal parasitic infections were all also stray cats. Therefore, considering the importance of this zoonosis disease it is essential to use a regular drug program for prevention and treatment.