İstanbul İlinde Tedavi Amaçlı Veteriner Kliniklerine Getirilen Kedilerde Kulak Uyuzu (Otodectes cynotis) Üzerine Araştırma

Öz

Otodectes cynotis infestasyonu, kedilerde otitis externa’nın en yaygın paraziter nedenlerinden biri olup, küçük hayvan hekimliğinde önemli bir sağlık sorunu olarak kabul edilmektedir. Bu çalışmanın amacı, Eylül 2023 ile Eylül 2024 tarihleri arasında İstanbul’daki özel veteriner kliniklerine getirilen sahipli kedilerde O. cynotis enfestasyonunun prevalansını değerlendirmektir. Çalışma popülasyonu, rutin muayeneler ve kulakla ilişkili olmayan şikâyetler de dâhil olmak üzere çeşitli tıbbi nedenlerle kliniğe getirilen 319 kediden oluşmuştur. Kulak uyuzu belirtilerinin varlığına göre herhangi bir ön seçim yapılmamış ve çalışma süresince başvuran tüm kediler ardışık olarak dâhil edilmiştir. Her bir kedi klinik, otoskopik ve mikroskobik muayeneden geçirilmiştir. Enfeste kedilerde gözlenen klinik bulgular arasında baş sallama, pruritus, koyu renkli serumenöz akıntı, eritem ve dış kulak kanalında erozyonlar yer almıştır. Toplam 83 kedide (%26.01) enfestasyon doğrulanmıştır. Irka göre yapılan analizde en yüksek pozitiflik oranı Tekir kedilerde (%30.9) saptanmış, bunu Scottish Fold ve British Shorthair kediler izlemiş (%12,8); Persian ve Russian Blue kedilerde ise infestasyona rastlanmamıştır. Irk ile enfestasyon arasında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı bir ilişki bulunmuştur (p=0.001). Erkek (%26.8) ve dişi (%25.3) kediler arasında anlamlı bir fark saptanmamıştır (p=0.76). Yaş arttıkça enfestasyon oranlarında azalma gözlenmiş (0-6 ay: %34.2; 6–12 ay: %26.1; ≥12 ay: %21.6), ancak bu eğilim istatistiksel olarak anlamlı bulunmamıştır (p=0.121). Bu bulgular, ırkın O. cynotis enfestasyonuna duyarlılığı etkileyebileceğini, ancak yaş ve cinsiyetin anlamlı risk faktörleri olmadığını göstermektedir. Kedi otoakarozisinin etkin kontrolü için erken tanı ve rutin parazitolojik taramalar büyük önem taşımaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Kedi
• Kulak akarı
• İstanbul
• Otodectes cynotis
• Prevalans
• Veteriner klinikleri

Investigation on Ear Mites (Otodectes cynotis) in Cats Brought to Veterinary Clinics for Treatment in İstanbul Province

Öz

Otodectes cynotis infestation is one of the most common parasitic causes of otitis externa in cats and represents a significant health concern in small animal practice. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of O. cynotis infestation in client-owned cats presented to private veterinary clinics in Istanbul between September 2023 and September 2024. The study population consisted of 319 cats that were brought to the clinics for various medical reasons, including routine examinations and non-otological complaints. No pre-selection was made based on the presence of clinical signs of ear mange, and all cats were included consecutively during the study period. Each cat underwent clinical, otoscopic, and microscopic examination. Clinical signs observed in infested cats included head shaking, pruritus, dark ceruminous discharge, erythema, and erosions in the external ear canal. Infestation was confirmed in 83 cats (26.01%). Breed-based analysis revealed the highest positivity rate in Tabby cats (30.9%), followed by Scottish Fold and British Shorthair cats (12.8%), while no infestation was detected in Persian or Russian Blue cats. A statistically significant association was found between breed and infestation (p=0.001). No significant difference was observed between males (26.8%) and females (25.3%) (p=0.76). Although infestation rates decreased with age (0-6 months: 34.2%, 6–12 months: 26.1%, ≥12 months: 21.6%), this trend was not statistically significant (p=0.121). These findings indicate that breed may influence susceptibility to O. cynotis, whereas age and sex do not appear to be significant risk factors. Early diagnosis and routine parasitological screening are essential for effective control of feline otoacariasis.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Cat
• Ear mite
• İstanbul
• Otodectes cynotis
• Prevalence
• Veterinary clinics

Kaynakça

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