Abstract
The aim of this study was to compare the clinical outcome of three different medications (ivermectin injection, canaural eardrops and frontline combo) in treatment of ear mite infestation accompanied by otitis externa in cats using a randomized trial. Cases presented to the Small Animal Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Assiut University for investigating signs of ear mite infestation and/or otitis externa were recruited (n=17) and randomly assigned to one of the 3 groups for evaluation of response to treatment over a period of 30 days. Cases that did not respond to treatment within 2 weeks of treatment were changed to one of the other two medication. A simple questionnaire was designed to evaluate owner satisfaction of the medication price, ease of administration, cat tolerance and improvement of signs. Recruited cases were either brought to the clinic for re-evaluation or the owner was contacted by phone to evaluate progress of each case. In the ivermectin-treated group (Group 1; n=7), 75% of cases recovered from ear mite infestation based on signs resolving and disappearance of presenting signs. Only 60% of cases treated with frontline (Group 2) showed an improvement of signs (n=5). All cases treated with Canaural (Group 3) showed complete recovery with complete absence of presenting signs and signs of otitis externa (n=5). Average age of cats in all groups ranged from two to 72 months (mean= 17.33, median=6.5). Statistically there were no significant difference between the three medications (p>0.5), but according to the clinical findings, we can suggest that Canaural is the most suitable when otitis externa is present along with ear mite infestation. Frontline Combo is not as effective as the two other medications used in this study
Highlights
Ear mites-induced otitis externa are the most common ear problems in cats and, less commonly, in dogs
In Egypt, previous report done by Waly and Khallaf (2013) stated that cause of ear inflammation was in 59.21% of cases due to ear mite infestation
This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of three drugs used for treatment of ear mites in cats, which one is better to the owner and to the pet
Summary
Ear mites-induced otitis externa are the most common ear problems in cats and, less commonly, in dogs. The ear mite is the most common mange mite of dogs and cats with prevalence ranging from 20 to 45% in cats; it feeds on tissue debris and secretions from the ear canal lining, lymph, and blood causing intense itching (Urquhart et al, 1996 and Roy et al, 2011). Dark granular substance is often will be present in the ear canal of a cat with ear mites, and signs of irritation and itchiness will be evident. This debris, caused by mite waste products, cerumen, dead tissue and fluid, resembles dark coffee grounds like substance (Degiorgis et al, 2001 and Scott et al, 2001). A roll smear is a useful technique for diagnosing ear mite infection when mites are not seen otoscopically (Degiorgis et al, 2001)
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