At initial vaccination, clients were asked to provide 3 consecutive faecal samples from their kitten (age range 9-20 weeks) and complete a questionnaire. Samples were posted to Langford Veterinary Diagnostics' Microbiology Laboratory where pooled samples were examined using ZnSO₄ flotation for detection of Giardia, nematode eggs and coccidia. Faecal smears were stained with Ziehl-Neelsen stain for the detection of Cryptosporidium.

The questionnaire provided details of signalment, origin of the kitten, faecal consistency and anthelmintic history. Owners were also asked to state any organisms (bacterial, viral or parasitic) that they were aware of that could be passed from cats to humans. Fourteen veterinary practices participated and 57 sets of samples and questionnaires were collected.

Toxocara eggs were present in 15.7% of samples (9/57). Four of the 12 animals (33%) not given anthelmintic treatment had patent Toxocara infection. Five of the 45 kittens (11%) given anthelmintic treatment at some point were excreting Toxocara eggs. No samples were Cryptosporidia or Giardia positive. Four animals were excreting Isospora, with 3 reported to have had some abnormal faeces.

Toxoplasma, Toxocara/worms and ectoparasites were reported as a potential zoonotic risk by 26% (16/57), 21% (12/57) and 8.7% (5/57) of clients, respectively. Only 0.5% of clients were aware of bacterial zoonosis. Fifty-six% of clients (32/57) were not able to identify any possible zoonotic organism. Two clients stated non-existent or non-zoonotic organisms as having the potential to cause disease in humans.

This study demonstrates a high prevalence of Toxocara in this population of kittens. The presence of patent infection in some kittens administered a worming preparation provides evidence that worming may not carried out frequently enough, an incorrect dose was administered or possibly resistance may be present. The lack of Giardia identification is surprising and requires further investigation as other studies have found a high prevalence in this age group. Examination of pooled, instead of individual samples and deterioration of organisms during postage may have reduced the sensitivity of the method used.

Despite having a consultation with a veterinary surgeon, only a minority of clients were able to state any zoonotic organisms. This finding suggests that client communication could be improved, which may result in better anthelmintic use and reduce patent Toxocara infection in this age group.