Cat otodectosis is a fairly common disease of parasitic origin. Statistics confirm that young animals are more susceptible to disease, although the likelihood of developing the so-called "ear scabies" is not excluded in an adult. So what are the symptoms associated with it and how dangerous?
Cat otodectosis: causes
The causative agent of the disease is a small tick Otodectes cynotis, which lives on the skin of the auricle of the animal. This parasite has a rounded yellowish body and developed limbs. Its dimensions do not exceed 0.3 mm.
Ticks affect the skin of the auricle, external auditory canal and often damage the eardrum. Parasites feed on exfoliated epithelial cells. As a rule, the microorganism development cycle lasts no more than 20-40 days, depending on environmental conditions.
The only source of pathogenic ticks is an infected animal. But it should be noted that this disease is found not only in cats, but also in dogs, foxes and other domestic and wild animals.
Such parasites can be called "permanent inhabitants", because their entire reproduction cycle takes place in the skin tissues of a sick animal. Therefore, treatment can hardly be dispensed with here.
Otodectosis: Symptoms
Of course, parasites injure the skin and release toxins in the tissue - products of their own vital activity. This causes severe itching and burning in the auricle, which cannot but affect the behavior of the animal.
Cat otodectosis usually begins with these symptoms. A sick animal often shakes its head, rubs its ear against hard objects, trying to reduce itching. At the same time, one can observe increased nervousness of pets, and sometimes some aggression. Often the activity of parasites leads to a deterioration in appetite and an increase in body temperature.
In addition, you can notice the accumulation of brownish secretions in the external auditory canal, which are a mixture of secreted exudate and pus.
In the presence of such symptoms, the animal must be shown to the veterinarian. Gradually, the parasites spread deep into the ear canal. Often during the disease, the structures of the middle and inner ear are affected , in the most severe cases, the infection reaches the meninges.
Otodectosis in Cats: Diagnostic Methods
In order to suspect the presence of the disease, the doctor just needs to examine the outer ear and notice the presence of brownish crusts - this is the reason for further examinations. In such cases, scraping from the skin is necessary . Under a microscope , it is often possible to notice adult pathogens in them, their eggs or larvae.
Cat otodectosis: treatment
Modern veterinary medicine offers a lot of treatments for such a disease. As a rule, first the doctor thoroughly cleans the ear canal, removing the discharge and crust from it. After that, antiparasitic drops, for example, Amitrazin or Acromectin, are regularly injected into the ear. In addition, special gels are used for treating the skin with an anti-mite effect, including Otodectin. In some cases, the use of anti-inflammatory drugs is indicated. If otodecosis is complicated by a secondary bacterial infection, you may need to take antibiotics.