Identificación y frecuencia de parásitos gastrointestinales en felinos silvestres en cautiverio en unidades de manejo de vida silvestre de la provincia del Azuay

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify and determine the frequency of the gastrointestinal parasites of the wild feline by species, age and sex, through coproparasilogical studies; 44 wild felines species from three wildlife institutions in Azuay province were part of this study; 23 Pathera leo species, 6 from Puma concolor, 11 from Leopardus pardalis, 2 from Leopardus wiedii and 2 from Leopardus tigrinus. In the statistical analysis, the percentage of parasitism was determined with contingency tables and Chi Cuadrado test to determine differences in relation to species, sex, and age. The percentages obtained from the presence of gastrointestinal parasites were 100% of the animals sampled and degrees of parasitism were determined on a scale of mild, moderate, severe, and very serious. Subsequently, a relationship was made between the variables of age, sex and species; by parasite species, frequency and parasitic degree. The result showed that there was no significant difference (P>0.05) between these variables; however, when relating the sex and the Phylum Platyhelminth a significant correlation was evidenced (P<0.05). In conclusion, all the sampled animals were positive for the presence of gastrointestinal parasites; Entamoeba histolytica, Toxocara leonina, Mesocestoides sp., Cystoisospora felis and Toxocara cati were more frequently identified and in a lesser proportion in Strongyloides sp., Ancylostoma tubaeforme, Trichuris sp.