Prevalence of FeLV, FIV and feline heartworm in cats from an animal shelter in Maracaibo, Venezuela

Ninety five crossbred cats of both sexes, aged between six months and one year, placed in an animal shelter in Maracaibo Municipality, Venezuela, were taken blood samples for serological detection of feline leukemia virus (FeLV) antigen, feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) antibodies, and feline heartworm antigen through SNAP feline triple (R), and also for CBC and hemoparasites. Out of the ninety five sampled cats, two cats (2.1%) were positive for FeLV, three cats (3.1%) were positive for FIV, and all cats were negative for heartworms. Through Mann-Whitney statistical U model, haematological values of the FeLV positive cats with those of the FeLV negative cats were related and a significant difference for hematocrit (P = 0.001) was observed, positive cats to FeLV showing hematocrit values below the reference range. In cats positive for FIV it was found that the total solids had a mean above the reference intervals; however, when compared with negative FIV cats, there were no significant differences. In conclusion, there is a prevalence in the studied shelter of FeLV, FIV and feline heartworm of 2.1, 3.1, and 0 %, respectively. Anemia was a clinical finding associated with the presence of FeLV.