Survey on Toxocara cati in domestic cats

Abstract

A total of 542 domestic cats aged from 1 month to 20 years were investigated for Toxocara cati (T. cati) by means of fecal examination. The cats were classified in the groups according to their kept environment (indoor or outdoor) and age (1-6 month, 7 month-1 year, 2-3 year, 4-5 year and over 6 year). The indoor kept cats were major in all ages, and the friendly relationship was suggested between domestic cats and humans. The parasitic rates of T. cati a higher percentage was noted in the groups of indoor kept cats of 1-6 month (27.1%) than that of outdoor kept cats of 1-6 month (17.9%), 7 month-1 year (18.5%) and 4-5 year (14.3%). The high parasitism of T. cati in indoor kept 1-6 month cats, which are may be closely connected to humans, is an important problem from the public health of view, because of the direct source of visceral larva migraine. The parasitism of T. cati in outdoor kept cats is also a serious matter as the origin of environmental contamination. It suggests that a positive sanitary instruction against an owner seems necessary for prevention of visceral larva migraine in humans.