Helminth Parasites of the House Cat, Felis catus, in Connecticut, U.S.A

Fecal samples from 450 cats were examined by fecal floatation to determine the helminth fauna of Connecticut cats. Overall, 39.8% of the cats were infected with the roundworm Toxocara cati, 4.7% with the tapeworm Dipylidium caninum, 0.4% with the hookworm Ancylostoma tubaeforme, and 0.2% with the lungworm Aelurostrongylus abstrusus. Toxoplasma-like oocysts were found in the feces of 0.7% of the cats. Sheltered cats had a significantly higher prevalence (67.5%) of T. cati infection than did client-owned cats (30.4%). All intestinal helminths detected in this study have zoonotic potential, underscoring the importance of the domestic cat as a reservoir for zoonotic parasites. Strict adherence by veterinarians to the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Association of Veterinary Parasitologists for strategic deworming of kittens is warranted, as is vigilance in the control of feral cats and in the screening and treatment of kittens and cats ``going out” for adoption from shelters.