Intestinal parasites are routine findings in cats, especially kittens, and several of them infect people. Most infections cause few signs, so the exam usually asks which parasite fits a fecal result, which test finds it, which drug treats it and whether it is a public health concern.
Key facts
Gastrointestinal endoparasitism at a glance- Species and system: cat, small intestine.
- Roundworms: Toxocara cati (the important one) and Toxascaris leonina; also Toxocara malaysiensis in parts of eastern Asia.
- Hookworms: Ancylostoma tubaeforme (worldwide), A. braziliense (southeastern US coast, tropics), Uncinaria stenocephala (cooler regions).
- Tapeworms: Dipylidium caninum (fleas) and Taenia taeniaeformis (rodents).
- Protozoa: Giardia duodenalis and Isospora felis / I. rivolta.
- Zoonotic: T. cati, hookworms (especially A. braziliense) and Giardia assemblages A and B; Isospora is host-specific.
What's inside
12 sections in the full guide- Key facts
- How the NAVLE tests this
- Cause and life cycles
- Clinical signs
- Diagnosis
- Differential diagnoses
- Treatment and management
- Prevention, control and public health
- Prognosis
- Quick review
- Test yourself
- References
The full guide also has 5 tables, 1 figure, 3 self-test questions and 8 references, available to NAVLE members.
Read the full study guide
The full guide is part of every NAVLE plan, with diagnosis and treatment tables, figures, a quick review and self-test questions. Start a free trial to try the question bank, or log in if you are already a member.