Published in Scientific Works. Series C. Veterinary Medicine, Vol. LXVIII, Issue 1
Written by George Andrei NECULA, Mariana IONITA, Ioan Liviu MITREA
Parasites and fungi cause otitis externa in dogs and cats and have an important impact on the welfare of the affected animals. Moreover, their control is often problematic. Here we present a retrospective study on the occurrence of otitis externa in client owned dogs (n=179) and cats (n=157) that were presented in a veterinary practice during a one-year period. All animals were subjected to the routine clinical examination followed by direct otoscopy and microscopic evaluation of ear exudates with and without Diff-quick staining..Of the investigated dogs and cats, 16.75% and 19.75%, respectively were diagnosed with otitis externa. Of the dogs, 10.05% (18/179) were positive for mixed Malassezia and Otodectes infestations, 5.58% (10/179) only with Malassezia, and 1.11% (2/179) with only Otodectes. In cats, 8.28% (13/157) of the animals were diagnosed with Malassezia and Otodectes mixed infestations, 11.46% (18/157) of cats had only Malassezia otitis, and none had only parasitic infestation. Overall, of the 30 dogs and 31 cats diagnosed with otitis externa, 43.33% and 32.25%, respectively, were presented for ear related problems. In conclusion, these findings showed a positive correlation between Malassezia and Otodectic otitis in dogs, while in cats Malassezia otitis externa was detected in all parasitic infestations of the ear. Additionally, the study underlines the importance of ear examination and microscopic evaluation for a proper therapeutic protocol.
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