Which parasite lives in the ears of animals?

Which parasite lives in the ears of animals?

• A. Otodectes species
• B. Sarcoptes species
• C. Demodex species
• D. Chorioptes species

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is that some parasites specifically inhabit the ear canal, causing ear-related symptoms. The parasite that lives in the ears of animals is the ear mite Otodectes cynotis. It colonizes the external ear canal and feeds on ear secretions and debris, leading to irritation, scratching, head shaking, and a dark, coffee-ground-looking cerumen. Diagnosis is often made by finding motile mites or eggs in an ear swab or during an otoscopic exam, and treatment focuses on topical acaricides plus cleaning the ear to remove debris. Other mites listed primarily inhabit the skin or hair follicles rather than the ear canal: one causes mange when on the skin, another resides in hair follicles and sebaceous glands, and the last tends to affect the skin of livestock rather than the ears. That’s why Otodectes cynotis is the correct choice for a parasite that lives in the ears.

The main idea here is that some parasites specifically inhabit the ear canal, causing ear-related symptoms. The parasite that lives in the ears of animals is the ear mite Otodectes cynotis. It colonizes the external ear canal and feeds on ear secretions and debris, leading to irritation, scratching, head shaking, and a dark, coffee-ground-looking cerumen. Diagnosis is often made by finding motile mites or eggs in an ear swab or during an otoscopic exam, and treatment focuses on topical acaricides plus cleaning the ear to remove debris.

Other mites listed primarily inhabit the skin or hair follicles rather than the ear canal: one causes mange when on the skin, another resides in hair follicles and sebaceous glands, and the last tends to affect the skin of livestock rather than the ears. That’s why Otodectes cynotis is the correct choice for a parasite that lives in the ears.