Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Ear infections in cats in Midwest Brazil and what was
By Coelho, Edison Lorran Jerdlicka et al.·Published in Topics in companion animal medicine·2024·Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Brazil·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Prevalence and clinical findings of feline otitis externa in Midwest Brazil.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of cats in a veterinary hospital in Brazil were examined for ear infections, specifically otitis externa, which can cause symptoms like itching and discomfort. Out of 137 cats, about 25% were found to have this condition, often linked to fleas and ear mites. The study highlighted that ear mites (Otodectes cynotis) were a common cause, affecting nearly 14% of the cats. The researchers found that using a curette to collect samples was an effective way to diagnose these infestations. Treatment typically involves addressing the underlying causes, like flea control and medication for ear mites.
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Abstract
This study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of otitis externa (OE) in cats using cytology, direct otoscopic examination, and parasitological examination through swabs and curettage, and to compare the accuracy between collection methods for parasitological examination. Direct otoscopic evaluation of the external auditory canal (right and left), swabs for cytological examination of the external auditory canal, and collection of cerumen for parasitological examination through swabs and curettage of 137 cats from a veterinary hospital care were conducted between March 2021 and March 2022. The influences of age, sex, habitat, street access, and the presence of fleas on OE were evaluated. Cytological evidence of OE was observed in 25.5 % of cats and was statistically associated with flea and mite parasitism. Otodectes cynotis was found in 13.9 % of the cats. Cocci and Bacilli were the secondary factors in 34.3 % and 22.9 % of cats with OE, respectively. The Malassezia genus was a secundary factor in 57.1 % of the cats with OE. The frequency of OE was high in cats receiving hospital care. O. cynotis was a frequent primary cause of OE in cats. The curette sampling method is a great option for diagnosing O. cynotis infestation due to its ease of use.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38631427/