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13.07.09 / MEDCON
Prevalence and intensity of Otodectes cynotis in kittens
In Veterinary Parasitology a team of Greek researchers reports on prevalence and intensity of Otodectes cynotis infections in young urban cats from the Thessaloniki area.
KARDITSA/GREECE, July 13th (MedCon) – The team, led by Dr. M. A. Lefkaditis, from University of Thessaly’s Laboratory of Parasitology, examined 214 cats aged 0 to 6 months by otoscopy. The kittens were brought in for their first veterinary examination to a private veterinary clinic in Thessaloniki.
If the otoscopy showed an infection with Otodectes cynotis, the ears were washed using warm paraffin oil in order to determine intensity of infection.
The researchers found that a total number of 30 cats were infected with Otodectes cynotis (14.02%). They report that prevalence of infection was significantly higher in cats aged between 3 and 6 months (17.58%) than in cats aged below 3 months (11.38%).
Furthermore, they note, that “intensity of infection ranged between 7 and 85 (mean intensity 35.60) mites per infected cat. The same age group of cats between 3 and 6 months had significantly higher mean intensity (47.19) compared to cats aged under 3 months (22.36).
However, no statistical significance was found between males and females regarding prevalence or intensity.
If the otoscopy showed an infection with Otodectes cynotis, the ears were washed using warm paraffin oil in order to determine intensity of infection.
The researchers found that a total number of 30 cats were infected with Otodectes cynotis (14.02%). They report that prevalence of infection was significantly higher in cats aged between 3 and 6 months (17.58%) than in cats aged below 3 months (11.38%).
Furthermore, they note, that “intensity of infection ranged between 7 and 85 (mean intensity 35.60) mites per infected cat. The same age group of cats between 3 and 6 months had significantly higher mean intensity (47.19) compared to cats aged under 3 months (22.36).
However, no statistical significance was found between males and females regarding prevalence or intensity.
References
- Veterinary Parasitology, available online 4 May 2009