This small cohort shows that some cats with OM can be successfully managed medically. Surgery is invasive and may not necessarily be required if appropriate medical management is undertaken. This is the first study of OM treatment in cats and provides the basis for further studies, which should aim to establish specific infectious causes of OM and how they can potentially be managed with medical therapies.

Objectives Otitis externa is seen clinically in cats, although studies investigating this condition within the UK are lacking. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of Otodectes cynotis mites and microbial infection in the ear canals of cats in various rescue centres and a referral hospital. Methods Otoscopy was performed in 332 cats. Otoscopic findings were noted, including the gross visualisation of Otodectes species. A sample of cerumen was collected for cytological evaluation and a cerumen smear for detection of Otodectes mites if there was a large amount of aural exudate present. Results O cynotis infestation was noted in 3/341 cats (0.9%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.3–2.6). A total of 129/341 (37.8%; 95% CI 32.7–43.0) cats were found to have Malassezia species within one or both ears. Bacteria were found unilaterally in 9/341 (2.6%; 95% CI 1.4–4.9) cats. Analysis of the cytological findings showed an increased likelihood for Malassezia species to be present as age increased (n = 293; Pearson r = 0.204, P <0.001). There was also an increased likelihood of finding Malassezia species in both ears if found within one ear (n = 327; r = 0.499, P <0.001). There was a positive correlation between the number of Malassezia organisms and the quantity of aural exudate (n = 338; r = 0.778, P <0.001). Cats in which Otodectes species infestation were noted (n = 3) had moderate or large quantities of cerumen. Conclusions and relevance This study shows that there was a low prevalence of O cynotis in this cohort of cats. In normal cats it was not unusual to find Malassezia microorganisms upon aural cytology, bacteria were noted far less frequently and in two cats this was associated with underlying anatomical pathology.

General rightsThis document is made available in accordance with publisher policies. Please cite only the published version using the reference above. 8Competing interests -Over the past five years you have lectured for Zoetis and Elanco. 9Aiden Foster graduated from the University of Bristol in 1987. He is currently senior teaching 10 fellow in veterinary dermatology and pathology at the University of Bristol. 11Competing interests -none declared. 12 SUMMARY 13This article will cover an approach to the management of canine Pseudomonas otitis. It aims to 14 provide a practical approach to the management and investigation of these challenging cases. 15The aetiology of otitis including predisposing, primary, secondary and perpetuating factors will 16 be discussed. Diagnostic tests including cytology samples and swabs for culture and sensitivity 17will be discussed, as will interpretation of your results. 49Pseudomonas is a Gram negative rod that is not usually isolated from normal dog's ears; it can 50 account for up to 35% of cases of otitis externa and or media (Cole and others 1998).

EVIDENCE IN PRACTICE cases, there is a mixed infection so coccoid bacteria and/or Malassezia may be seen, but Pseudomonas is the critical organism. Otoscopy This can be very challenging to perform in conscious patients. Oten sedation or anaesthesia is required. It may be diicult to view the tympanic membrane. Culture and sensitivity Swabs should be sent for culture and sensitivity in all cases of Pseudomonas otitis. The sensitivity results may not be relevant when using topical treatments because the concentrations of drugs applied to the ear are much greater than those tested and may still be efective. Treatment/management options Treatment requires dedication; in some chronic cases it is not unusual for treatment to take six to eight weeks, with revisits every two weeks to monitor progress. There are four aims of treatment. Eliminate the Pseudomonas • Topical treatment remains the treatment of choice due to the poor blood supply to the ear canal. However, the exception to this rule is when cases have neurological signs associated with their otitis media. In these cases, topical treatment should generally be avoided as it may exacerbate the neurological signs. • The following topical ear products are

Objectives The aim of this study was to obtain information regarding the use of flea treatments and owner-reported flea infestation and skin disease. Methods Owners of 1150 cats were recruited into a long-term longitudinal study ('Bristol Cats' study) and asked to complete questionnaires at set time points. Questionnaires 1 and 5 were used and included data collection for kittens aged 2-4 months (T1) and at 2.5 years of age (T2). Owners were asked which brand of flea treatment, if any, was used at each time point. At T2 owners were asked if they had noted signs of skin disease or fleas on their cat within the previous 12 months and if they had sought veterinary attention for the skin disease or fleas. IBM SPSS version 23 was used for statistical analyses. Results Skin disease at T2 was reported by owners of 55/1150 (4.8%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.7-6.2) cats. Many owners who reported skin disease (25/55 [45.5%]; 95% CI 32.3-58.7) had not sought veterinary attention. There were 81/1150 (7.0%; 95% CI 5.6-8.5) cats with reported head shaking and/or ear scratching within the past 12 months at T2. The majority of cats (204/286; 71.3%) received prescription flea treatments at both points. Use of non-prescription flea treatment at T2 was more likely to be associated with owner-reported skin disease/flea infestation than those who used prescription flea treatment ( P <0.001). There was a significant association between the reported presence of fleas and reported presence of skin disease at T2 ( P = 0.03). Conclusions and relevance Despite the potential for reverse causality, the association between owner-reported skin disease and/or flea infestation in their cats and the use of non-prescription flea treatment was as expected. Use of flea treatments and, in particular, the type of ectoparasite control used (prescription or non-prescription) should be carefully assessed when managing cats with skin disease.