A STUDY OF ECTOPARASITIC ARTHROPODS OF MEDICAL IMPORTANCE INFESTING STRAY CATS (Felis catus) IN SECTION 7 OF SHAH ALAM, SELANGOR

Abstract

A study of ectoparasitic arthropods of medical importance on stray cats (Felis catus) was conducted in Section 7 region of Shah Alam, Selangor from May 2013 to October 2013. This study was carried out to update the information on medical importance of ectoparasites infesting cats and to determine infestation of ectoparasites on stray cats in Section 7 region of Shah Alam. Stray cats were captured humanly and undergone inspection of the whole body for ectoparasites sampling and collection. Ectoparasites obtained from stray cats then were preserved in 70% alcohol for identification purpose. A total of 35 stray cats (Felis catus) were examined and 150 ectoparasites were collected from stray cats examined. Stray cat’s population showed the similar prevalence in host sex and host age according to numbers of hosts examined; however no significance difference was recorded between infestation of ectoparasites and these two factors. Three major species of ectoparasites were collected: Flea Ctenocephalides felis, Louse Felicola subrostratus, and Ticks (Ixodidae). Out of 35 stray cats examined in Section 7 region of Shah Alam, 21 were found infested and 14 were not infested. Infestation of C. felis was the most prevalent (54.3%) and was found significant (P<0.05) with 19 cats were found infested. Following this, F. subrostratus showed the second prevalent (14.3%) where a total of five stray cats were found infested with this louse (P>0.05). Only two stray cats were infested with hard tick Ixodidae with the least prevalent (5.7%) compared to other species of ectoparasites recovered through this study. However, no mites were recovered from all stray cats examined. This study has successfully carried out the prevalence and mean intensity, as well as the abundance of each type of ectoparasites on stray cats. The high occurrence of ectoparasites activity on stray cats was influenced by behaviour, immunological conditions, grooming and contaminated environment since these stray cats shared the same microenvironment with stray dogs, rodent and human as well. Thus, the potential of vector-borne diseases transmission towards human should become a major concern. Further study should be conducted to carry out complete information represents the stray cats population and diversity of medically important ectoparasites on stray cats in Section 7 Shah Alam, Selangor.