Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
ANATOLIAN 3 International Turkiye Scientific Research Congress, Kayseri, Türkiye, 27 - 28 Aralık 2022, ss.766-772
Ascariasis is a very common nematode infestation in cats and other mammals and infection is
caused by Toxocara species especially Toxocara cati and Toxascaris leonina which are more
prevalent in young cats. Toxocara infection is a public health problem and has a zoonotic
potential. Infection in kittens has clinical symptoms with a distended abdomen, poor appetite,
and failure to thrive. In adult animals, infection is usually subclinical. Kittens and young
adults are infected through transplacental, transmammary, and fecal-oral routes. Coccidian
infections of dogs and cats are classified in the genus of Isospora. Coccidia species are
normally found in the intestinal tract and infect all mammals including humans. Two species,
I. felis and I. rivolta infect cats. Infection occurs when sporulated oocysts are ingested directly
or via paratenic hosts. Clinical signs usually occur in kittens and young adults and are more
apparent in kittens. Infection in kittens has weight loss, dehydration, and hemorrhagic
diarrhea. In severely affected animals, vomiting, mental depression, and anorexia may be
visible. In this present case, a two-month-old, mixed-breed domestic cat was presented to the
University of Van Yuzuncu Yil, Clinics of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine with a history
of apathy, dullness, anorexia, and severe hemorrhagic diarrhea. In physical examination, pale
mucous membranes, dehydration, and hemorrhagic diarrhea with distended abdomen were
detected. The cat’s temperature was 39.2 °C and the skin elasticity test was prolonged due to
severe fluid loss. The hematological examination referred to a decrease in hemoglobin
concentration (Hb), and erythrocyte concentration (RBC) and an increase in eosinophil (Eo),
leukocyte (WBC), and neutrophil count (NEU). The result of serum biochemical parameters
shows that Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and Glucose
(GLU) levels increased whereas Total Protein (TP) and Creatinin (CRE) levels decreased. In
fecal examination, Toxocara spp and Isospora spp. eggs were detected. The cat was treated
with oral toltrazuril (BAY-COX ®) 30 mg/kg, po, once daily for 3 days and pyrantel pamoate
(KONTİL ®,) 5 mg/kg, po, repeated in 3 weeks. Supportive therapy was given to the cat by
using vitamins and crystalloid fluid. The cat recovered after the treatment, with a normal
mucous membrane and normal appetite, and normal fecal examination. This case was
detected to be a mixed infection of Ascariasis and Coccidiosis. It is important to be the first
case of Ascariasis and Coccidiosis infection in a domestic cat, this present study was
considered to be worth presentation in this article.