STUDIES INTO ECTOPARASITIZATION OF STRAY CATS

Examinations for endoparasites as well as for ectoparasitization were applied to 111 primarily stray cats in Gera (n = 79), Jena (n = 15) an d Leipzig (n = 17) in the Federal States of Thuringia and Saxony, betw een December 1990 and May 1992. Coproscopy and removal of parasitized tissue were the methods used. Endoparasites or ectoparasites were foun d to have infested 108 of the above 111 animals (97.3%). Ectoparasitiz ation, with seven ectoparasite species involved, was recorded from 65 cats (58.6%). One ectoparasite species only was acommodated by the maj ority of these cats (73.9%). Ctenocephalides felis and Otodectes cynot is were the most common species established. Felicola subrostratus, No toedres cati and Ixodes ricinus were present in only few animals. As r egards to infestation with Ctenocephalides felis, Otodectes cynotis or Felicola subrostratus, no significant differences were found to exist between males and females nor between juvenile animals (< one year) a nd animals in more advanced age (> one year). Six cats were exclusivel y infested by ectoparasites, while mixed infections with endoparasites and ectoparasites were rerordable from 59 cats (53.2%). In these case s, one endoparasite plus one ectoparasite or two endoparasites plus on e ectoparasite were the most common findings.