A survey on the gastrointestinal parasites of exotic companion species in Tehran, Iran
Journal Title: Iranian Journal of Veterinary Science and Technology (IJVST) - Year 2023, Vol 15, Issue 3
Abstract
Exotic pet owners, ranging from small mammals to reptiles, comprise a considerable portion of veterinary clients. Parasitic infections are a threat both for the animal health and the health of the owner. This study aimed to investigate the gastrointestinal parasite species commonly encountered in exotic animal veterinary practice. Exotic petsâ fecal samples were examined for fecal parasites macroscopically and microscopically by saline fecal smears, fecal floatation and specific staining. Chi-squared test to investigate the association between the presence and type of the parasites with host species and clinical symptoms (p < 0.05). Three hundred fecal samples, including 262 from small mammals, 37 from reptiles and 1 from primate were investigated for gastrointestinal endoparasites. The exotic pet species consisted of Lagomorpha (189/300; 63%), Rodentia (68/300; 22.66%), Reptilia (37/189; 12.33%), Eulipotyphla (4/300; 1.3%), a sugar glider and a marmoset. Thirty-nine samples were found to be infected with at least one gastrointestinal parasite (13%). Parasites observed in the feces of exotic pets included oocysts, strongyle-shaped eggs, oxyurid eggs (Passalurus ambiguous) and cestode eggs. A sample from a guinea pig was diagnosed to be infected with Cryptosporidium sp. There was no significant association between clinical symptoms and host species with parasite infection (p > 0.05). Considering the continuous species alteration, the unidentified sources of the pets in the market, and the potential of zoonotic infections periodical surveys on the common pet species and their parasitic infection are inevitable. Subclinical intestinal parasites in pet animals may alter the well-being of the companion animal if adjoined with poor management. Usually there is no need for anti-parasitic therapy in an animal without clinical signs, but regular diagnostic tests for parasites are advisable for effective veterinary practice.Â
Authors and Affiliations
Mahya Noormonavvar,Fatemeh Arabkhazaeli,Amir Rostami,Sedighe Nabian,Fatemeh Sayareh,
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP722279
- DOI 10.22067/ijvst.2023.82307.1261
- Views 80
- Downloads 2
Sperm cells in peritoneal fluid of a ram with obstructive urolithiasis: First report
Detection of sperm in the peritoneal fluid of animals is unusual and has not been reported in the literature. In this report, we describe the presence of sperm cells in the peritoneal fluid of a two-year-old ram. The ram...
Modulation of growth performance, haemato-immunological parameters, gut microbiota and stress resistance upon feeding juvenile Schizothorax zarudnyi (Nikolskii, 1897) by fructo-oligosaccharid
A 63-day experiment was carried out under controlled conditions to compare the effects of fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS) at four levels (5, 10, 20 and 30 g/kg) on growth performance, nutritional efficiency indices, haemato...
Hydroalcoholic extracts of three Artemisia species attenuate dental pulp pain and pain-related abnormal feeding behavior of rats
This study considered the therapeutic efficacy of three different Artemisia species extracts on capsaicin-induced dental pulp pain and pain-associated changes in feeding behaviors in adult male Wistar rats. The animals w...
Lawsonia inermis possesses a significant analgesic activity compared to Waltheria indica, Moringa oleifera, Nigella sativa, and diclofenac in female Wistar rats
Pain is a severe symptom of many diseases, with an increasing percentage of people manifesting various types of pain. Medicinal plants provide analgesic potential with little toxicity. We performed this experiment to com...
Prevalence ofMelophagus ovinus (Diptera, Hippoboscidae) in sheep in the province of Tungurahua, Ecuador
Melophagus ovinus (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) is considered one of the main ectoparasites that attack sheep, however, in Ecuador information about this parasite is limited. In this study, the prevalence of Melophagus ovinus...