Episootological features of dog malassesious otitis in Ternopil City

The article presents the results of a thorough study of the prevalence of malasseziosis in dogs and analyzes the identified factors leading to the development of the disease. The study and analysis of the obtained data were carried out on the basis of a private veterinary clinic in Ternopil for the period 2023-2024. Sick dogs with clinical signs of otitis were examined. During this period, 94 animals with signs of otitis were examined. The main method of pathogen detection in the laboratory confirmation of the diagnosis of malasseziosis was cytological. Diagnostic samples were obtained from the ear canal by imprinting stratum corneum cells and associated microorganisms on adhesive tape. After sampling, to confirm the laboratory diagnosis of malasseziosis, a light microscopic examination of adhesive strips with biomaterial fixed on a slide and stained with a modified Wright-Giemza "Leukodif" stain was performed. The data obtained were statistically analyzed. Malasseziosis otitis in dogs with signs of ear pathologies was diagnosed in 69.1% of cases. The highest number of cases was found among such breeds as Yorkshire Terriers (24.6%) and Maltipoo (18.5%), Toy Poodle (12.3%), Shih Tzu and English Cocker Spaniel (9.2% each); malasseziosis was found only in isolated cases in Labradors and French bulldogs (6.2% each), pugs (4.5%), beagles, German shepherds, and Cane Corso (3.1% each). The highest number of cases was recorded among dogs aged 3-7 years (43%), and the lowest among puppies under 1 year of age (9.3%). 35.5% of cases were among animals aged 1-3 years, 12.2% - among animals aged 8-12 years old. In 80% of cases, malasseziosis occurred as a recurrence in dogs with a history of ear disease. The sex of the dogs did not significantly affect the incidence, with males being slightly more likely to be affected than females (52.3% vs. 47.7%). The disease had a pronounced seasonality with a peak in the warm season: from April (9.2% of all cases) to May (12.3%), June (15.4%), July (18.5%), August (12.3%) and September (10.8%)