Endoparasites and selected infectious agents in bobcats (Felis rufus) from West Virginia and Georgia.

A total of 143 bobcats (Felis rufus) from West Virginia and 10 bobcats from Georgia was examined for parasites and selected infectious agents. A total of 31 species of parasites was recovered including 1 protozoan, 1 trematode, 4 cestodes, 1 acanthocephalan and 24 nematodes. Results indicate bobcats are important definitive hosts for Sarcocystis sp. and Toxoplasma gondii. Thirteen species (Paragonimus kellicotti, Spirometra mansonoides, Taenia macrocystis, T. rileyi, Capillaria putorii, Toxascaris leonina, Toxocara mystax, Ancylostoma braziliense, A. tubaeforme, Oslerus rostratus, Molineus barbatus, Physaloptera rara, and Troglostrongylus wilsoni) were considered common components of the helminth fauna of southeastern bobcats. Host age and/or host density had significant relationships (P less than or equal to 0.05) to the prevalences of infection of some parasites. Salmonella spp. were isolated from six bobcats, and Yersinia enterocolitica was isolated from a single bobcat. Bobcat populations studied did not have overt clinical parasitism or disease during the fall and winter.