engleski

The Evidence of Otitis Externa in Free-Roaming Cats Based on the Otoscopic Examination and Cytological Evaluation

Sporadic studies of feline otitis reported the prevalence of disease in the range from 2 to 55, 1%, mainly in pet cats. The goal of this study was to determine the presence of otitis by otoscopic examination and cytological evaluation of external ear canal from free- roaming cats. Ear swabs were collected from seventy-four cats during Trap-Neuter-Release project. In order to visually detect inflammation, ear pinna was inspected and otoscopic examination of the external ear canal and tympanum was performed. Microscope slides with swab impressions were stained. Cocci, rods and Malassezia cells were counted under oil-immersion microscopic fields. Diagnosis of otitis was made based on the recommended threshold values of counted cell numbers together with the clinical signs. Mineral oil technique was used to evaluate otic debris for the presence of ear mites at low microscopic magnification. Clinically overt otitis externa was detected in 45, 9% cats, bilaterally in 97, 1% and unilaterally in 2, 9% cats. Crusty lesions were observed on the pinna of 17, 6% cats. In 88, 2% of cases, otitis externa was presented by the large amount of cerumen, mainly black in color (82, 4%) and crumbly consistency (55, 9%). Cytological examination showed the prevalence of otitis externa in 79, 4% of cats with the clinical signs of inflammation. Malassezia yeasts together with Otodectes cynotis was detected in 55, 6%, followed by Malassezia spp. alone in 40, 7% cats with otitis. Coccoid bacteria were associated with otitis in 3, 7% of the cats, while rod-shaped bacteria were always observed together with cocci, Malassezia spp. or O. cynotis. This study demonstrated a high prevalence of the ear inflammation in the free-roaming cats, with O. cynotis mites and Malassezia spp. identified as the most prevalent causes. In addition, there was a good overlap between clinical signs of the otitis externa and the cytological results. These data represent rare and valuable information about otitis in free roaming cats.

otitis externa, free roaming cats, cytology, Malassezia spp.

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