Investigation of the Prevalence of Lungworm According to Fecal Examination in Cats in Kırklareli Region/Türkiye

The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of lungworm according to fecal examination in cats in Kırklareli region. For this purpose, stool samples were taken from the defecation areas of 100 owned and stray cats in the Kırklareli region. Stool samples taken were delivered to Kırıkkale University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Routine and Epidemiology laboratory in accordance with the cold chain rules. Stool samples were examined for lungworm using the Fülleborn Flotation technique and the Baermann technique. McMaster test was used to determine the number of larvae/eggs per gram of feces, which were positive for the larvae of lungworm. As a result of the study, Aelurostrongylus abstrusus larvae, one of the lungworm of cats, were found in 8 (8%) of the cat feces examined by the Baermann method, while all feces were negative in the Fülleborn flotation method. There was no statistically significant difference in terms of A. abstrusus positivity according to age, breed and gender. A minimum of 50 and a maximum of 500 larvae were found in per gram of feces using the McMaster technique. In conclusion, this study is the first to determine lungworm in cats in Kırklareli region. It has been demonstrated once again that A. abstrusus is the dominant species as the lungworm in cats in Türkiye.