Endoparasite spectrum of wild cats (Felis silvestris Schreber, 1777) and domestic cats (Felis catus L.) from the Eifel, Pfalz region and Saarland, Germany

• DOI: 10.1007/s10344-007-0116-0
• Publication Date: 2007-07-04T07:15:21Z
• Authors: O. Krone; O. Guminsky; H. Meinig; M. Herrmann; M. Trinzen; G. Wibbelt
• Keywords: Capillaria; Toxocara cati; Feral cat

Between 1993 and 2002, carcasses from 15 wild cats (Felis silvestris) and 17 domestic cats (Felis catus) from the Eifel region, Pfalz region and the Saarland were collected and examined for endoparasites. Most cats were road casualties (74%), some died from disease (14%), some were shot (3%), or some died of unknown reasons (9%). Three wild cats were too decomposed for parasitological examination. Endoparasites were recovered in 14 wild cats (n = 15) and 11 domestic cats (n = 17). A total of eight endoparasite species were found in wild cats and six in domestic cats. The nematodes Toxocara mystax and Toxascaris leonina and the cestode Taenia taeniaeformis were the most prevalent parasites. Other helminths detected were Capillaria aerophila, Capillaria feliscati, Capillaria plica and Mesocestoides litteratus. The spiruride Petrowospirura petrowi was detected in Germany for the first time. The parasite fauna was more diverse in male than in female cats indicating a male-biased parasitism in the wild cats.