Prevalence of Otitis Externa in a Population of Owned Cats in Northern Italy

TL;DR

This study found that 17% of privately owned cats in Northern Italy had otitis externa, a common ear condition linked to factors like short hair and dermatological history.

Contribution

The study provides the first detailed prevalence data for feline otitis externa in privately owned cats in Northern Italy.

Findings

Otitis externa was diagnosed in 17% of privately owned cats in Northern Italy.

Ear mites were found in 6% of cats, including asymptomatic and exclusively indoor cats.

Abnormal ear cytology was observed in 19% of cats, with bacteria and/or yeasts present in 15%.

Abstract

Feline otitis externa (OE) is a dermatological disease that has not been fully defined. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of OE in a population of privately owned cats presented to a teaching hospital in Northern Italy. Diagnosis of OE was based on clinical findings along with abnormal ear cytology and the influence of the main demographic variables was evaluated. Two hundred and four cats were recruited and examined clinically, otoscopically and cytologically. The prevalence of OE was 17% with a positive correlation to being European and having short hair, a history of dermatological problems, pruritus and multiple clinical signs. Ear cytology was abnormal in 19% of cats. Ear mites were found in 6% of cats, about half of which were exclusively indoor and asymptomatic. Pathological numbers of bacteria and/or yeasts were found in 15% of cats. OE prevalence in owned cats in Northern Italy is relatively high, but significantly lower than in the stray cats in the same geographical area. The identification of parasitic OE in asymptomatic and exclusively indoor cats, and of a correlation between OE and dermatological history, highlights the importance of systematic ear evaluation as part of routine feline health assessments.

Although increasingly studied feline otitis externa (OE) prevalence is not yet well defined. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of OE in a population of privately owned cats in Northern Italy. Cats were clinically, otoscopically and cytologically evaluated. Diagnosis of OE was based on clinical findings along with abnormal ear cytology. The influence of the main demographic variables was examined. The prevalence of OE was 17% with a positive correlation to being European, and having short hair, a dermatological history, pruritus and multiple clinical signs. Ear cytology was abnormal in 19% of cats. Mites were found in 6% of the cats, about half of which were exclusively indoor cats and completely asymptomatic. Pathological numbers of bacteria and/or yeasts were found on cytology in 15% of cats and, of these, 29% had only Malassezia spp., 65% only cocci, and 6% a mixed population of these microorganisms. The prevalence of OE in owned cats in Northern Italy is relatively high. The identification of parasitic OE in asymptomatic and exclusively indoor cats, and a correlation between OE and dermatological history highlights the importance of systematic ear evaluation as part of routine feline health assessments.