PARASITE PREVALENCE IN FREE-RANGING FARM CATS, FELIS-SILVESTRIS CATUS

No animals tested were positive for feline leukaemia virus antigen and Chlamydia psittaci antibodies, but all were positive for antibodies t o feline calicivirus (FCV), feline herpesvirus 1 (FHV1) and rotavirus. They had antibodies to feline parvovirus (96%), feline coronavirus (8 4%) and cowpox virus (2%). Antibody to feline immunodeficiency virus ( FIV) was found in 53% of animals, which were less likely to be infecte d with Haemobartonella felis, and had higher FHV antibody titres than cats without FIV. FCV was isolated from 51% cats and FHV1 and feline r eovirus each from 4%. H. felis was present in 42% of animals, and anti body to Toxoplasma gondii in 62%. Clinical abnormality had a significa nt association with FIV and feline calicivirus infections, but sex, ag e, social status and feeding group had no significant association with prevalence of any parasites. Toxocara cati and Toxascaris leonina egg s were found, respectively, in 91% and 82% of animals tested.