This study verified the gastrointestinal parasites occurrence in household cats in Santa Maria, RS, Brasil from March to June, 2011. In addition, the risk factors associated with gastrointestinal parasites infection were evaluated. One hundred ninety -one felines fecal samples were submitted to parasitological examination, as well as to an epidemiological questionnaire about the management and the animal habits, which was applied to the owners. Fecal samples were positive for one or more gastrointestinal parasites (47.1% - 90/191). Occurrence of mono-infection was 33.5% (64/191) and multi-infection 13.6% (26/191). Toxocara spp. (18.8%) and Giardia spp. (4.2%) were the main parasites found in mono-infection. The main association of parasites detected included: Ancylostoma spp. + Toxocara spp. (3.1%) and Cystoisospora spp. + Cryptosporidium spp. + Giardia spp. + Toxoplasma spp. + Toxocara spp. (1.5%). Epidemiological data were submitted to chi-square, Fisher and odds ratio tests, as well as analyzed the relationship between the epidemiological factors and the presence of gastrointestinal parasites (P>0.05). The main risk factors identified were: the scholar level of owners and frequency of antiparasitic treatments, which showed a direct influence on the occurrence of gastrointestinal parasites. The data contribute to the understanding of the epidemiology of gastrointestinal parasites and could aid veterinarians and owners in developing of antiparasitic strategies for domestic cats.
endoparasites; epidemiology; risk; Felis catus domesticus; health
