Coccidia and intestinal nematodes of East Central Illinois cats

Abstract

In a fecal examination survey (1975-1976) of 217 cats from laboratory colonies, a humane society shelter, and homes in east central Illinois, Toxocara mystax eggs were found in 32%, Toxascaris leonina eggs in 6%, Ancylostoma eggs in 9%, Capillaria eggs in 4%, Isospora felis oocysts in 23%, Isospora rivolta oocysts in 24%, and Toxoplasma or Besnoitia oocysts in 1%. The laboratory and humane shelter cats were the most heavily infected. Isospora felis and I rivolta could not be transmitted to 2 pups by feeding oocysts from the cat or to 2 other pups by feeding the organs of mice that had been fed the oocysts.