Ear Mites: Uncovering, Treating, and Preventing Infestations

Today's Vet Pract. Jul-Aug 2021;11(4):26-31. 32 Refs

Susan Little¹

¹ College of Veterinary Medicine, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA.

Author Abstract

Routine diagnostic tests can miss Otodectes cynotis infestations, but safe treatment is readily available for both dogs and cats.

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The 4 prokinetic drugs metoclopramide, cisapride, pyridostigmine, and capromorelin do not increase fecal output or food intake in healthy New Zealand rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus).
Every day, rabbits produced a median of 75 g (range, 9 to 145 g) of feces, 226 fecal pellets (range, 12 to 412 pellets), and 151 mL (range, 5 to 420 mL) of urine. Metoclopramide, cisapride, pyridostigmine, and capromorelin had no effect on fecal production (both weight and number of pellets), food intake, urine production, or water intake compared to placebo at 24, 48, or 72 hours after administration.

Association between highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks and weather conditions in Japan.
We found that higher average air temperatures two to three weeks prior, lower average wind speeds four weeks prior, and longer sunlight hours two and four weeks prior to outbreaks were significantly associated with increased risk of HPAI outbreaks in Japan. These results suggest that weather may influence environmental survival and transmission of the virus, as well as patterns of wild bird movement that could seed new outbreaks.

Owner survey suggests cats may be undertreated for pain compared to dogs after an elective ovariohysterectomy or orchiectomy.
Analgesics were prescribed for 19 of 162 (12%) pets: 14 of 88 (16%) dogs and 5 of 74 (6.7%) cats. There was no difference in the prescription of analgesics between dogs and cats after ovariohysterectomy or orchiectomy. 15 of 19 owners reported their compliance in administering analgesics at 78.9%. Owners' subjective assessments showed that 24 of 86 (28%) dogs and 12 of 68 (17%) cats appeared painful at home.

Effects of intranasal maropitant on clinical signs of naturally acquired upper respiratory disease in shelter cats.
There was no significant difference in clinical improvement score between the maropitant treatment and control groups for conjunctivitis, blepharospasm, ocular discharge, nasal discharge, or total disease severity after 7 days.

Efficacy, safety and interval from end of treatment to estrus in cats treated with an ultra-low dose megestrol acetate protocol for suppression of reproductive activity.
Twenty-eight queens were treated orally with 11.5 µg/kg/day of megestrol acetate (MA) for one to six months. MA suppressed reproductive function effectively in 27/28 queens. Transient mammary and uterine hyperplasia were detected in four (14 %) and three (11 %) queens, respectively, treated for more than four months, without associated clinical signs. Significant but reversible weight gain was observed in 85 % of the animals. The resumption of cyclicity occurred on average 6 weeks after the end of treatment but was influenced by the duration of treatment and seasonality.