OKLAHOMA ACADEMY OF SCIENCE 71 



XI. PARASITES OF DOGS AND CATS OF OKLAHOMA 



Jchn E. Guberlet 

 Parasitologist, Okbhoma Agricultural Experiment Station, 



StiUwater. 



Dogs and cats are used extensively in our laboratories as sub- 

 jects for dissection and for various kinds of experimentation. The 

 dog especially serves as an admirable experimental animal because 

 it responds so readily to various kinds of stimuli and treatment. Its 

 responses, in many cases, are so similar to those of human beings 

 that the results of such experimentation can often be utilized in 

 closely allied conditions in man. 



As pets, cats and dogs possess admirable qualities that make 

 them very desirable. Much has been said and written concerning 

 the canine as a friend, as a companion, as a hunter, as a guide, and 

 as playmate for children. Nearly as much can be said of the feline 

 in the capacity of a playmate for children and as an object for be- 

 stow^ing and receiving caresses. On the other hand, a great deal 

 can be said against these animals in that they are capable of carry- 

 ing parasites and spreading diseases to man and his domesticated 

 animals. Ordinarily, and in due respect, these objections are not 

 warranted against the restricted and we'.l cared for dog or cat, but 

 against the vagrant, ownerless, or unrestricted animal that goes 

 about whenever and wherever he chooses. Such should be regarded 

 with suspicion, in fact he should be regarded as a public nuisance, 

 as it is very adequately shown in discussions by Hall (1915, 1917). 



Both canines and felines are highly subject to parasitic infesta- 

 tion of various kinds. Whether we have these animals as house- 

 hold pets or for domestic use, or whether we use them for labora- 

 tory purposes, cases of parasitic infestation frequently come under 

 our observation and we are desirous of knowing the kind and na- 

 ture of the parasitism. The object of this paper is to give some 

 idea of the prevalence of parasitism in these animals in Oklahoma. 

 Heretofore, no records have been available in regard to the extent 

 of parasitism or the kinds of parasites infesting our cats and dogs. 

 The writer has autopsied and made parasitic examinations of fifty 

 doygs and thirty cats in Oklahoma. While this is not a large num- 

 ber of parasitological studies it serves to point out, to a degree, the 

 extent and the nature of parasitism prevalent here. 



The results of the studies showed 90% of the dogs and 85% 

 of the cats to be infested with worms of one or more species. The 

 vagrant, or ownerless, dog or cat usually harbours more parasites 

 than do the pet house animals. However, this is not always the 

 case, as frequently the reasonably well cared-for animal is as heavily 



