Prevalence of ear mite Otodectes cynotis (Hering, 1838) infestation in dogs and cats examined at veterinary clinics in the Republic of Korea = 충청남도 예산·홍성 지역 동물병원 내원한 개와 고양이에서 귀 진드기 Otodectes cynotis (Hering, 1838) 감염의 유병률

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

This study retrospectively analyzed the prevalence of the ear mite Otodectes cynotis (Hering, 1838) in dogs and cats examined at two veterinary clinics in Yesan and Hongseong, Chungcheongnam-do, the Republic of Korea. Over a 12-year period from October 2012 to December 2023, the external ear canals of a total of 69,165 dogs and cats (53,186 dogs and 15,979 cats) were examined for O. cynotis infestation using otoscopic examination and morphological identification of mounted specimens. Among these, 16,367 dogs and 6,313 cats were first-time visitors. The prevalence of otodectosis among first-time visiting dogs was 0.92% (150/16,367), whereas it was higher among first-time visiting cats at 4.7% (297/6,313), which was 5.1 times higher than among dogs. The prevalence rate in female dogs was 1.1% (100/9,050), which was higher than in male dogs at 0.71% (50/7,017). In cats, the rates were similar between males at 5.15% (156/3,030) and females at 4.7% (136/2,855). Among dog breeds with more than 100 animals examined, Maltipoos, Schnauzers, and Bichon Frises had high prevalence rates. Abyssinians, American Shorthairs, Russian Blues, and Siamese cats had the high prevalence rates among cats. In both dogs and cats, younger animals had higher infection rates. The prevalence rate in dogs showed a consistent annual decline, whereas in cats, it exhibited fluctuations with no clear decreasing trend over the years. Although the monthly prevalence of otodectosis in dogs showed slight variations, peaking in November and December and being the lowest in April, no statistically significant seasonal pattern was observed. Similarly, in cats, the prevalence rate peaked in December, while the lowest prevalence was recorded in February and March. Positive cases of ear mites were recorded year-round. While dogs did not show significant seasonal variations, cats exhibited a distinct seasonal pattern, with higher prevalence in winter months (P<0.05).

국문 초록 (Abstract)

본 연구는 충청남도 예산과 홍성에 위치한 2개 동물병원에서 진료받은 개와 고양이를 대상으로 외이도의 귀 진드기 Otodectes cynotis (Hering, 1838) 감염 유병률을 후향적으로 분석하였다. 2012년 10월부터 2023년 12월까지 12년간 총 16,367두의 개와 6,313두의 고양이를 검이경 검사를 통해 조사하고, 표본을 채취하여 형태학적으로 동정하였다. 그 결과, 개에서의 귀 진드기 감염 유병률은 0.92%(150/16,367)였으며, 고양이에서는 4.7%(297/6,313)로 확인되어 고양이의 유병률이 개보다 5.1배 높았다. 성별에 따른 비교에서 개의 경우 암컷(1.1%, 100/9,050)이 수컷(0.71%, 50/7,017)보다 유의하게 높게 나타났으나, 고양이는 수컷(5.15%, 156/3,030)과 암컷(4.7%, 136/2,855) 간에 큰 차이가 없었다. 품종별로는 100두 이상 진료된 개 품종 중 말티푸, 슈나우저, 비숑프리제에서 높은 유병률을 보였으며, 고양이는 아비시니안, 아메리칸 숏헤어, 러시안 블루, 샴에서 높은 감염률을 보였다. 연령별로는 개와 고양이 모두 어린 개체에서 감염률이 더 높았다. 연도별 추이를 보면, 개는 지속적인 감소 추세를 보인 반면, 고양이는 뚜렷한 감소 경향 없이 연도별 변동이 나타났다. 월별 유병률은 개에서 11~12월에 높고 4월에 가장 낮았으나 통계적으로 유의한 계절적 차이는 없었다. 반면 고양이는 12월에 가장 높고 2~3월에 가장 낮은 분포를 보여, 겨울철에 뚜렷한 계절적 양상을 나타냈다. 귀 진드기 양성 사례는 연중 관찰되었으며, 본 연구 결과는 지역 내 개와 고양이에서 O. cynotis 감염의 역학적 특성을 이해하는 데 기초자료로 활용될 수 있다.

목차 (Table of Contents)

• 1. Introduction 1
• 2. Materials and Methods 3
• A. Data Collection 3
• B. Ethical Considerations 8
• C. Data Analysis 8
• 1) Data Preparation: 8
• 2) Calculation of Infection Rates: 8
• 3) Comparison of Infection Rates: 8
• 4) Age Analysis: 9
• 5) Seasonal Analysis: 9
• D. Statistical Tests: 9
• 3. Results 10
• A. Prevalence Rates in Dogs and Cats 10
• B. Prevalence Rates by Gender 13
• C. Prevalence Rates by Age 14
• D. Prevalence Rates by Breeds 20
• E. Annual Prevalence Rates 23
• F. Monthly Prevalence Rates 26
• 4. Discussion 29
• A. Species-specific prevalence 29
• B. Prevalence by Sex and Neutering Status 30
• C. Age as a Risk Factor 31
• D. Annual and Seasonal Trends 32
• E. Breed Susceptibility 33
• F. Clinical and Preventive Implications 34
• G. Study Limitations and Future Directions 34
• 5. Conclusion 36
• References 37
• 국문초록 39
• Supplementary 41