Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Ear infections common in stray cats in northern Italy
By Perego, Roberta et al.·Published in Journal of feline medicine and surgery·2014·Department of Veterinary Sciences for Health, Italy·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Prevalence of otitis externa in stray cats in northern Italy.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A study in northern Italy looked at ear infections, known as otitis externa, in stray cats. Researchers examined 187 stray cats during a program to help control their population and found that over half of them, 55.1%, had signs of this ear infection. The main cause was a type of ear mite called Otodectes cynotis, which was found in about 53% of the affected cats. Other bacteria and yeast were also involved in many cases, with certain factors like being pregnant or living in urban areas during winter increasing the risk of these infections. Overall, the study revealed that ear infections are quite common in stray cats and identified several factors that contribute to these issues.
Abstract
Feline otitis externa is a dermatological disorder that has not been evaluated much in stray cats. One hundred and eighty-seven stray cats were randomly selected during a trap-neuter-release programme to investigate the prevalence of otitis externa in stray cat colonies in northern Italy. Swabs for cytological examination were obtained from the external ear canal of each cat. A direct otoscopic assessment of the external ear canal was made in 86/187 cats. Cytological evidence of otitis externa was present in 55.1% of cats. The influence on otitis of age, gender, habitat and season of sampling was tested, but no risk factors were found. Otodectes cynotis (as a sole agent or in combination) was the primary cause of otitis in 53.3% of cats. Cocci and rods, either alone or in combination with other agents, were perpetuating factors in 71.8% and 29.1% of cats, respectively. Pregnancy status was a risk factor for otitis caused by coccal infections. Malassezia species, alone or in combination, was the perpetuating factor in 50.5% of cats with otitis. Urban habitat and winter season were risk factors for otitis associated with Malassezia species. Demodex cati was identified as an incidental finding in two cats. There was good agreement between otoscopy and cytology with regard to the diagnosis of otitis externa. The results of this study show a high prevalence of otitis externa in stray colony cats and provide information on causal factors for feline otitis externa.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24226755/