Otodectes cynotis infestation in domestic cats and its effects on hematological parameters in Nasiriyah, Iraq

Abstract

Novelty Statement:This study provides additional insight into the occurrence of Feline otodectosis in domestic cats and evaluates its impact on hematological
parameters, providing additional information on the systemic effects of ear mite infestation in these cats.
Abstract: Background: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Otodectes cynotis infestation in domestic cats and evaluate its effects on selected hematological
parameters, including red blood cell count (RBC), hemoglobin concentration (HGB), hematocrit (HCT), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular
hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), red cell distribution width (RDW-CV and RDW-SD), platelet count (PLT), mean platelet
volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), plateletcrit (PCT), platelet large cell ratio (P-LCR), lymphocytes (LYM), middle cells (MID), and granulocytes
(GRAN). A total of 150 cats were examined over a six-month period from June 2025 to January 2026 in Nasiriyah, southern Iraq. Ear swab samples were collected and
examined microscopically for the presence of mites and their developmental stages, while blood samples were analyzed using an automated complete blood count
(CBC) analyzer. The results, compared to non-infected cats, showed that 90 out of 150 cats (60%) were infected with O. cynotis. No statistically significant differences
(P > 0.05) were observed between infected and non-infected cats for all hematological parameters examined. Regarding white blood cell differentials, infected cats
showed slightly lower total white blood cell counts and granulocyte counts, suggesting a localized inflammatory response rather than a systemic one. The study
concludes that O. cynotis infestation is relatively common among domestic cats in the study area, but it has a limited effect on most hematological parameters. Routine
microscopic examination of ear swabs remains an effective diagnostic method for detecting ear mite infestation in cats.