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Otodectes cynotis in urban and peri-urban semi-arid areas: a widespread parasite in the cat population

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Abstract

The ear mite Otodectes cynotis is a parasite of cats and dogs of considerable veterinary importance, being the most common etiological agent of otitis externa in pets. This study investigates the presence of this parasite in 296 cats from Murcia municipality (SE Spain), and describes possible factors associated with the infestation. Cats were grouped by sex, age, lifestyle, season and provenience. Scraping samples were examined by a microscope to identify the mite. Chi square test was computed and odds ratio was used to measure the association of risk factors with parasite prevalence. Additionally, the spatial distribution of prevalences was investigated and represented through GIS software. Around 30% of the cats (CI95 25–35%) were found positives to O. cynotis. The mite infestation was significantly higher in adult cats, during the winter and in individuals from peri-urban areas. The ectoparasite was found to be widely distributed in the cat population of the study area, with an increased risk of infestation in specific peri-urban areas. The results highlight that O. cynotis is a common parasite in areas with Mediterranean semi-arid climate. Given the importance of otodectic mange, and considering that O. cynotis is not a parasite specific to cats, but may also affect dogs and wild carnivores, the information provided by this study is of great value to both pet owners and veterinarian practitioners, and it might help to implement appropriate preventive and control strategies, mainly in free-roaming cats.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Ayuntamiento de Murcia (Comunidad Autónoma de la Región de Murcia, Spain).

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Author notes

  1. Angela Fanelli and Guillermo Doménech have contributed equally to this paper.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Grugliasco (Turin), Italy

    Angela Fanelli & Paolo Tizzani

  2. Department of Animal Health, Regional Campus of International Excellence “Campus Mare Nostrum”, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain

    Guillermo Doménech, Francisco Alonso & Carlos Martínez-Carrasco

  3. Department of Applied Economics, Regional Campus of International Excellence “Campus Mare Nostrum”, University of Murcia, Murcia, Spain

    Federico Martínez-Carrasco

Authors
  1. Angela Fanelli
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  2. Guillermo Doménech
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  3. Francisco Alonso
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  4. Federico Martínez-Carrasco
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  5. Paolo Tizzani
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  6. Carlos Martínez-Carrasco
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Collection and identification of the parasites was done by Guillermo Doménech, data analysis were performed by Angela Fanelli. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Angela Fanelli. Paolo Tizzani and Carlos Martinéz-Carrasco reviewed the article. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Paolo Tizzani.

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Fanelli, A., Doménech, G., Alonso, F. et al. Otodectes cynotis in urban and peri-urban semi-arid areas: a widespread parasite in the cat population. J Parasit Dis 44, 481–485 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12639-020-01215-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12639-020-01215-7

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