investigating the prevelance of internal and external parasites of cats in qazvin city

Considering the high population density of cats in residential areas, especially in urban areas, and the inevitable direct and indirect contact of these animals with humans, the epidemiological investigation and contamination of cats are important. therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of internal and external parasites in cats of qazvin city. for this purpose؛ the present study was conducted from december 1402 to summer 1403. to collect the sample, head, neck, ear, groin, fingertips, abdomen, and tail were studied for contamination with external parasites. to check the internal parasites, a sample of the animal s fresh feces was taken, and the characteristics of the cat, such as age, gender, and sample number, were written on a special sterile container and transferred to the laboratory. the results obtained in this study showed that 20 cats out of 120 cats had internal and external parasites (16.66%), among which 9 cats (7.5%) had internal parasites, 6 cats (5%) had external parasites, and 5 cats (4.16%) were infected with both. also, age and gender had a significant effect on the percentage of prevalence, so the percentage of parasites in adult cats was higher than in newborn or old cats. also, the percentage of infection in female cats was higher than that of males. among these, the highest prevalence of internal parasites was related to toxocara cati (3.33%), isospora (2.5%), cryptosporidium (1.66%), and the highest prevalence of ectoparasites is related to demodex felis (2.5%), rephicephalus (1.66%), and notoedres (0.83%). according to the results of this study, it is recommended to prevent or minimize the amount of parasitic diseases in cats by correct and hygienic management.